Business: New Wholesale Houses Located in Natchitoches, 1917, Natchitoches
Parish La
Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker

Many Thanks to the Natchitoches Times for allowing the LaGenWeb to use this
article



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The Natchitoches Times
August 20, 1999 issue
SIGN OF THE TIMES article
Information supplied by Natchitoches Genealogical and Historical Association
By Shirley Porter


Nov. 16, 1917
NEW WHOLESALE HOUSES LOCATED IN NATCHITOCHES
SHREVEPORT WHOLESALERS ESTABLISH BRANCHES HERE
CONTRACTS LET FOR NEW BUILDINGS
     Some time ago, we noted the investment in the fine lands of this parish
by Taylor and Hammett of Shreveport.  Among the lands acquired by them were
Allen plantation from the Hoosier Realty Co., 3,000 acres; the Weaver
plantation near Powhattan, the Jack plantation on Cane River near Chopin
station on the T & P and the Chopin plantation at Derry.  The holdings
aggregate 14,000 acres of the finest farm lands in the state.
     These lands are being rapidly developed under the personal supervision
of Mr. A. G. Hammett, who is an efficient and successful planter.
     Lately Messrs. Taylor and Hammett, under the firm of Taylor & Co., have
organized a new enterprise, most valuable to this city and parish.  They
will at once establish a wholesale grocery business in this city.
     They have obtained temporary quarters on Front Street and it is
understood that they will later erect large buildings for the purpose.
     The railroads through this place, as well as the shipping facilities of
Cane River, will be utilized for the purpose of distributing their goods
throughout this territory.
     A warehouse will be erected near the river and the T & P depot.  A spur
will go direct from the main tracks of the road to their warehouse.
     A boat will be placed in Cane River Lake for shipping.  This will give
them a rich territory for 40 miles on both sides of Cane River, which
already boast of some 14 or 16 plantations and central stores.
     A contract has been let to build for this firm, the house to be
completed within six months.  This enterprise means a permanent investment of
$80,000 and an annual business of about half a million dollars.  This mammoth
business will be under the immediate supervision of Mr. W. F. Taylor, so
well and favorably known throughout north Louisiana.
     Always in the forefront in any enterprise for the public good this
gentleman served for many years, and often as president of the Caddo Levee
Board, which has solved the problem of levee protection against the
devastating overflows of Red River, and as the head of the wholesale
grocery firm of W. F. Taylor and Co., he is a leader in developing the
business of north Louisiana.
     We welcome these gentlemen into our midst and bespeak for them and their
enterprise unbounded success, which will redound as well to the great
benefit of our city and parish.
     
FOSTER AND GLASSELL ALSO HAVE BOUGHT PROPERTY AND WILL BUILD SOON
     Another matter of great business importance to this section is the
establishment of a branch house here by the firm of Foster and Glassell of
Shreveport.
     This firm has purchased the warehouse property of Mr. Sam Aaron on the T
& P tracks near the J. A. Enloe property and will erect a large business
house on it.
     Both these wholesale houses will be in charge of active and progressive
men and will no doubt have a tendency to wake things up.