Rutland County VT Archives History - Businesses .....Businesses Of West Rutland 1891
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INDUSTRIES AND WEALTH OF WEST RUTLAND.

   WEST RUTLAND forms a township set off from Rutland in 1886. The village of
West Rutland is located about four and a half miles west of Rutland village and
contains a first-class hotel, four churches-Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal
and Roman Catholic,-about a dozen stores and 2000 inhabitants. It is here that
the marble deposit that has made the name of Rutland famous in all parts of the
world is found.

   About eighty rods north of the railroad depot in West Rutland is a range of
hills rising about 200 feet from the bottom lands, and on the western slope of
this hill, near the base, crops out the beautiful Rutland marble. The valley at
the foot of West Mountain, half a century ago, was a dreary swamp. During the
year 1838, Mr. Wm. F. Barnes began calcining the marble found here into
quicklime. Soon the idea occurred to him that this marble might be used for
tombstones, and accordingly, he struck a bargain for this barren, swampy land,
including a portion of the hill, giving in exchange an old horse, worth not to
exceed $75.00. This same barren swamp contained nearly all of the famous
quarries of West Rutland, and Mr. Barnes, a short time before his death sold the
same for $130,000. The West Rutland marbles in variety of color, in fineness of
texture and in durability are not surpassed by those from any other regions of
the United States, and some of the Rutland marbles, are fully equal to the
highest grade of Italian and for some purposes are considered superior. The
three marble companies operating in West Rutland are the True Blue Company, the
Vermont Marble Company, and the Sheldon Marble Company. The Vermont Marble
Company has recently acquired the valuable property formerly operated by Gibson
and Woodfin, and conduct the large plant of that firm in connection with their
works at Proctor and Center Rutland. 

   The Valido Marble Company has a quarry at West Rutland, and mills and
finishing shops at Fairhaven, Vt. The Standard Marble Company and the Esperanza
Marble Company also have quarries at West Rutland. This is a busy, flourishing
village, and is well supplied with railway connections and has abundant
water-power for manufacturing purposes, and is one of the growing villages of
the state. She has inexhaustible wealth in her mountains and energy, enterprise,
and great business ability characterize her citizens.

   R. H. WATKINS, Stoves, Ranges, and Hardware, Tin, Wooden and Glass Ware, Wood
and Iron Pumps, Lead Pipe, Sinks, Etc., Etc. -A record of unbroken prosperity
extending over a period of twenty-five years, marks the history of the well and
favorably known establishment whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and
which since its inception has maintained an enduring hold on popular favor and
confidence well deserved, while the house fully sustains to-day its old time
reputation for reliable goods and honorable dealing, purchasers and patrons
being always assured of first-class work and satisfactory treatment in this well
ordered emporium, which is one of the leading and best equipped general house
furnishing store and agricultural specialty stores in West Rutland. The business
was established more than twenty-five years ago by Mr. M. Newton, who was
succeeded by Messrs. Adams & Watkins in 1887. After the decease of Mr. Adams, in
1888, Mr. Watkins assumed the control and has since conducted the business with
uninterrupted success. The premises occupied for business purposes comprise
three floors, 25 x 50 feet in dimensions, and a vast and varied stock is
constantly carried, embracing a full and fine line of stoves, ranges and heaters
of every description, tin, and sheet-iron ware of all kinds, japanned goods,
Britannia, woodenware, cutlery, glassware, and household specialties in great
variety, refrigerators, clothes wringers, kitchen utensils, farming and garden
tools, grass seeds and kindred products. Particular attention is given to
repairing and general jobbing, while tin roofing, guttering, etc., is a
specialty, and altogether a large and flourishing business is carried on, the
trade extending throughout the town and surrounding country. Several expert
workmen are employed and all orders receive prompt attention. Mr. Watkins is a
native of Vermont, and worked for eight years as a clerk in New York previous to
engaging in business in this place. He is a member of the F. &. A. M., and is
highly regarded in the community for his industry and business integrity.

   F. A. MORSE, Druggist.-The establishment over which Mr. F. A. Morse presides,
is known as one of the most enterprising and reliable drug stores in West
Rutland. It is a fine establishment, elaborate and attractive in all its
appointments and arrangements. A splendid stock of goods is shown in every
branch of the trade. The business was established by Mr. Morse in 1867. The drug
store is a large room in a two-story frame building owned by the proprietor. In
one end of the building is a fine tenement for the residence of his family.
Beside the drug store, there is one room in the building used as an office, and
in the ell is a large room devoted to the sale of school books, stationery,
toys, wall paper, etc. A fine and superior assortments of drugs, paints, oils,
varnishes, medicines, pharmaceutical preparations, etc., are supplied from the
most reputable sources, and are selected with special reference to strength and
freshness. In toilet goods, perfumery and fancy articles, the enterprise of the
proprietor has placed within the reach of his customers the best that can be
obtained of both domestic and foreign production. The house is perfectly
equipped for its specialty of prescriptions, and as all details of the business
are under the personal supervision of the proprietor, the utmost accuracy is
invariably assured. A competent force of clerks and salesmen give prompt
attention to those general duties that make communication with the house both
pleasant and profitable. A large and influential trade has been established, and
Mr. Morse will merit all the success he may achieve. He is a native of Vermont,
a member of the F. & A. M., and is eminently popular with all his patrons. Mr.
Morse is also interested in a granite quarry, which is now being opened on Bird
Mountain and is destined to prove a valuable industry to West Rutland.

   E. H. WHITE, Watches, Jewelry, Silver and Plated Ware, Spectacles, Musical
Instruments, Guns, Revolvers, Etc.-The steady and substantial growth of material
wealth, advance in refinement and culture in the United States during the last
quarter of a century have developed a corresponding demand for rich and rare
gems, and those articles that beautify and adorn the person as well as those
that contribute to the pleasures and comforts of life. A prominent
representative, and thoroughly reliable house engaged in this line of trade in
West Rutland, maintaining a most enviable reputation for handling only
first-class goods and straightforward dealings is that of Mr. E. H. White,
dealer in watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, etc. Mr. White is a native
of this state and his early days, till twenty-four years of age, were spent in
farming in Ira, Vt. He has been a resident of West Rutland for a number of
years, and brings a wide range of experience into this line of trade, having
been previously engaged in it in Rutland six years with Ben K. Chase and in
Woodstock and Burlington. He came to this village and bought out Mr. S. P.
Giddings, 1875, and took control as owner of this establishment on his own
account, and its record from the start has been one of continuous prosperity and
constantly increasing popularity. His store is amply spacious, commodious and
very neatly fitted up, while every convenience is provided for the attractive
display of his
fine assortment of goods, and their inspection by patrons. The stock embraces a
splendid line of fine gold and silver American and European watches in all the
latest styles; rare and precious gems mounted in the most exquisite, original
and unique designs, wedding, engagement, and souvenir rings, ear rings,
pendants, brooches, bracelets, bangles, watch chains, charms, lockets, shawl and
scarf pins, collar and cuff buttons, art novelties for use and ornament in gold,
silver and bronze; solid silver and plated wares, French, Swiss and American
clocks, eyeglasses, spectacles and other optical goods; small musical
instruments, musical merchandise, a specialty being made of fine violin, guitar
and other strings, etc. He also carries a fine line of rifles, fowling pieces,
revolvers, pistols, all of the latest improved patterns, cartridges of all
calibres and ammunition, etc. These goods bear evidence of having been most
carefully selected and cannot fail to meet the wants of a first-class trade, as
they are offered at lowest prices and guaranteed to be just as represented. A
specialty is the repairing of fine watches, clocks, jewelry and engraving, and
all work done here is warranted to give satisfaction. Mr. White is an
enterprising, reliable gentleman of excellent business ability, courteous and
affable in his business and social intercourse, and justly merits the success he
has achieved by his industry and well directed efforts.

   F. FISH, Fine Family Groceries, Etc., and General Merchandise. -In looking
over the various commercial industries of a thriving and enterprising business
center like that of West Rutland, there is none more deserving of consideration
than those engaged in handling the staple necessaries of life, and first in
importance ranks the grocer. A prominent, prosperous and ably conducted
establishment devoted to this line of trade in West Rutland and maintaining a
very enviable reputation for handling only first-class goods, and
straight-forward business dealings is that of Mr. F. Fish, dealer in fine family
groceries. This enterprising and popular young man is a native of this state,
and a resident here for several years, and desirous of engaging in active
business on his own account he purchased this old stand which has been used for
mercantile purposes for over a hundred years, from Mr. W. H. Woodward in 1887;
and carefully restocking it with a fine assortment of goods soon built up a very
large and influential trade that is constantly increasing. The premises utilized
comprise two very spacious and commodious floors, each 25 x 90 feet in
dimensions, very neatly and attractively fitted up and provided with every
convenience for the successful prosecution of the business. The stock carried is
always full and complete, and embraces everything in the line of choice staple
and fancy groceries, such as are absolutely pure and fresh, new crop young
Hyson, gunpowder, imperial, Japan, Souchong, Oolong, English breakfast and other
teas; choice Mocha, Java, Rio and other coffees, cocoas, chocolates and spices;
best brands of hermetically sealed-goods in tin and glass, sauces, relishes,
condiments, table delicacies, foreign and domestic fruits; sugars, syrups and
molasses; best family flour, fancy cereal and farinaceous foods, choice dairy
and fancy creamery butter and cheese, fresh laid eggs, lard, farm and garden
produce; salt and smoked meats and fish: popular brands of cigars and tobaccos;
bakers and laundry supplies; pails, tubs, brooms and kindred household supplies,
and in fact, everything usually found in a well regulated house of this
character. The goods sold here are noted for their purity, uniform excellence
and extremely low prices, and the store is a model of neatness and cleanliness.
Polite assistants serve patrons, and goods are delivered at residences in the
town free of charge. Mr. Fish is a popular, enterprising and pleasant young man,
reliable, prompt and honorable, and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he
has any dealings, and well deserves the success attained.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

INDUSTRIES AND WEALTH OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTS IN VERMONT,
BEING
BURLINGTON, WINOOSKI, RUTLAND, WEST RUTLAND, BRANDON, FAIR HAVEN, POULTNEY,
CASTLETON, ST. ALBANS, SWANTON, ENOSBURG FALLS, BRATTLEBORO, BELLOWS FALLS,
MONTPELIER, BARRE, WATERBURY, ST. JOHNSBURY, LYNDONVILLE, LYNDON, HARDWICK,
BENNINGTON, SPRINGFIELD, WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VERGENNES, MIDDLEBURY, NORTHFIELD
AND MORRISVILLE.

1891.

PUBLISHED BY
AMERICAN PUBLISHING AND ENGRAVING CO.,
(ELEVATORS.)
Nos. 149 AND 151 CHURCH STREET, NEW YORK.


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