Fitchburg City (part 8 of 8)

A selected stock of provisions is carried, and in this department as well as in the grocery line expert care is taken to have the quality such as can be recommended, so that particular people who want the best in the market are the people w^ho trade here, and have confidence both in the goods and the prices.

Another saving is effected in the fact that orders are not solicited, though an automobile is used to make deliveries in any part of the city.

Mr. Rambeau was born in Fitchburg, was formerly engaged In street and steam railroading, and has proven his business ability by the enterprise and energy by which he has developed his present business. He is a resident of this locality, and has a high standing as a merchant and citizen.

Though there is an impression that one coal concern is just the same as another, and there is no choice necessary when ordering fuel, consumers may discover their mistake when they have experimented with some new organizations. Customers are very apt to defer ordering fuel until they are in immediate need of it, and promptness in delivery is then most important. Often when they want one grade of coal, the firm, being out of it substitutes another, so that after all it does make a difference which company one trades with if deliveries are required on time and the quality asked for necessary.

Circle street, has been built up by furnishing customers what they demand, at the time promised, and at the most reasonable market prices. This policy has been followed for the many years the company has been established, and as it has extensive yards and sheds along the railroad track, it has the facilities to supply its extensive trade.

The specialty is Lackawanna and Lehigh anthracites from the D. & H. mines. It is thoroughly screened, is shipped over the shortest routes and is handled most economically, so that reasonable prices may be charged.

Long and short wood is also dealt in, and the yards, comprising some two acres, give plenty of area for the large stock always at hand. The coal sheds have a capacity of one thousand tons. Some of the largest consumers of coal for residential heating are now and have been for many years regular customers.

The business, established by John C. Whitney, was managed for more than ten years by Thomas E. Kielty, and is now conducted by Mrs. Kielty, the daughter of Mr. Whitney.

The old policy of square dealing has never been suspended, and the concern stands now among the leading coal and wood concerns in our city, with a high reputation for straightforward transactions.

Drew-Haynes Machine

Side by side with the great manufacturers who have made the name of Fitchburg in the world of machinery, there have always been smaller concerns who have been pioneers in the field of Invention, and have brought out many new ideas that have been accepted as of value by the business world. In fact, the atmosphere and surroundings of the smaller shops, where every day is apt to bring its new problem for solution, is distinctly favorable to the promotion of that inventive spirit that has made New England so prolific in devices that have revolutionized many processes of manufacture.

In June, 1908, after some months in other quarters, the Drew-Haynes Jlachine Co. occupied its own two-story brick building at 54 Lunenburg street, which had been constructed with a view to the special requirements of their business. As their title would Indicate, anything in machine work is included in their field. They make designs and drawings for any machine desired, and carry it through all the processes to completion.

Gear-cutting is a specialty, and automobile gear-cutting more particularly. In fact, the peculiar requirements of the automobile have received exceptional attention at the hands of this company, and repairing, rebuilding, or the construction of new parts for any make of car are attended to here with mechanical skill supplemented by suitable equipment. Cylinder repairing is another feature tlat should be specially mentioned.

Automobile supplies are carried in stock, and cars and engines are bought and sold. Rebuilt cars or engines purchased here may be relied upon to be thoroughly dependable. The company also has space for the storage of several cars.

Gasoline and kerosene engines for special requirements are among the products of this shop, and a kerosene engine embodying new and valuable features is to be brought out shortly.

William Drew and Paul W. Haynes are the members of the company. Mr. Haynes, the manager, is a graduate of Pratt Institute, New York, and has been employed by a large corporation in Dover, N. H., and three of the most important concerns in this state as an expert mechanic. Mr. Drew is an experienced engineer, and was for years employed as chief engineer by the Cocheco Mfg. Co. at Dover. With such experience it is plain that there is no lack of qualification for any work the company may see fit to undertake. Such establishments are especially welcome in this city, and add in no small degree, both by the character of work done and the creditable appearance of the plant, to the reputation of Fitchburg as a quality city.

The total valuation placed by the board of assessors upon personal property and real estate in the city of Fitchburg is over $32,000,000. Unusually large gains in the valuation were made during the past three years, and it is chiefly because of this increased valuation that the tax rate has been lowered. The increase of nearly $2,000,000 in taxable property for 1911 over 1910 establishes a new record. The gain itself was nearly five times more than the total valuation in 1831. In six years the valuation of the city has jumped from $24,000,000 to $32,000,000, with the biggest gains in 1909-T0 and 'll.

This year's remarkable increase is due to several causes. New industrial establishments and hundreds of dwellings have been constructed within the city limits, and, besides raising the assessed valuation of business property centrally located, the assessors have unearthed more personal property than in other years. It is doubtful if any of the eastern cities of the size of Fitchburg has had its whole valuation increased at the same rate as Fitchburg in the past three years, during which business conditions were not of the best.

Though the occupancy of a Main street studio is a new enterprise for W. H. Woodhead, the name of this photographer is well known in Fitchburg and in other places, as a guarantee of high class and recommended workmanship in photography.

Mr. Woodhead has been for a number of years chiefly engaged in commercial work, and the local views that have appeared on postal cards have been largely his production. They have given evidence of his taste and judgment in choosing subjects and views to be perpetuated, and show the skill with which the camera has been operated, and the ability with which the printing is done.

Mr. Woodhead became the proprietor of the studio at 355% Main street, February 1, 1911, succeeding John A. Larson and obtaining possession of one of the best lighted studios in this city.

Modern apparatus is in use, and the work produced equals the production of any similar high-class studio. Portrait work is done in all styles, though Mr. Woodhead displays initiative in offering novelties, a scenic air ship at present being a background appreciated by many. Though novelties are offered at popular prices, every feature of production is attended to thoroughly. The lighting and posing are artistic, and the toning and printing carefully and painstakingly done.

Mr. Woodhead has for a number of years conducted a studio during the summer, at Block Island, R. I., and has built up a discriminating patronage at this watering place. He has also had a studio at Ashburnham, and for six years was associated with his brother in a studio at Palmer. He has been a resident of West Fitchburg for twenty -five years, and performed much of his commercial work at home. With his present quarters and facilities, he Is enlarging his scope of operations and increasing his patronage, so that his reputation and ability are becoming more widely and favorably known in this community.

Some locations in any city seem to be peculiarly adapted to certain kinds of business, and since the Cutler block was erected in 1895, there has always been a market in the premises now occupied by Charles L. Whitney, 233 Main street. However the position of a market must not be its only inducement to patrons, for while people prefer a store that is convenient, they will go out of their way, if necessary, to get desirable quality of goods and reasonable prices.

Whitney's market is fortunate in satisfying all these demands, for besides having one of the most central sites in the city, it carries one of the finest and most desirable stocks of goods that is shown anywhere in this section.

The fresh meats on hand are selected for their tenderness, juiciness and general high quality, and the stock is replenished every day, so that roasts, steaks, chops, meats for soups or to boil, can always be procured in the largest variety that the wholesalers offer.

Dried and cured meats, also cured fish, provisions, fresh vegetables, fruits and canned goods, are sold, as well as an extensive line of poultry, and game in season. No market in Fitchburg shows a higher quality for which only reasonable prices are charged.

Mr. Whitney, who bought out this business four years ago, came from Boston, where he had been in the market business. Being an experienced meat man, he has built up a list of customers that have confidence in his goods and dealings. The market has grown to be one of the most extensively patronized in this city, and Mr. Whitney Is counted among our sound and successful business men.

D. J. Whooley & Co., Day Street

The Board of Trade should be the dynamo for civic activities, and a large share of the civic consciousness should be concentrated in the organization. To the Board of Trade, as if by common consent, there has been delegated the work of organizing and starting mov'ements for communal progress.

Business men who have civic pride have for some time been active in the work of the organization. The Fitchburg Board of Trade and Merchants' Association comprises nearly 550 of the "live wires'' of the city, men who are in business and whose material progress depends upon the development of the city in which they live. This organization has offices in the Safety Fund Bank building, 229 Main street. For some years it has been working for the betterment of the city from the artistic, as well as the industrial standpoint. The diversity of its work can be judged by a study of the committees which give attention to certain specific local problems.

There are 16 of these committees, some of them comprising as many as 12 men. During the past year, when the work of the organization has been directed more particularly to the industrial field, three of the committees, those on banking, manufacturing and industrial affairs, have been exceed Ingly active. As a result of this work, two local concerns have been aided in securing capital to enlarge their business, and two small companies have been added to the already diversified interests which have made Fitchburg commercially ideal. These committees worked for seven months last year in an endeavor to secure for the city a large gun company, but were unsuccessful, owing to the desire of the stockholders in this company to keep the plant near its present location.

The civic pride of Fitchburgians was thoroughly awakened in the effort to secure the gun company and in response to the appeal of the committee.s $100,000 was raised in four days to assist the company in removing its plant to this city.

Undeterred by their failure to secur - this company, however, the committees quickly began work in an effort to secure for Fitchburg a big automobile Industry, and negotiations are still in progress.

The committee on education has been active in securing from the state an appropriation for the State Normal school to provide for the purchase of land for a dormitory, a plot for prac tical gardens and a playground for the students. The publicity committee has done important work during the last three years in making known to Fitchburg citizens, and to the world at large.

the social and industrial advantages of the city. By means of magazine articles and descriptive matter, by booklets and full-page advertisements in the metropolitan papers, this committee has made Fitchburg one of the best known cities of the East.

Under the auspices of this committee, headed by the industrial secretary of the organization, a huge exhibition of the local products was made at the Chamber of Commerce Industrial show, held during October, 1911, in Boston. This exhibit, which was the only one arranged by any city in Massachusetts, attracted world-wide attention and did much to interest the manufacturers of other cities in the social and industrial advantages offered by Fitchburg.

The committee on public improvement has done real service for th" entire city in bringing to the attention of the city government and the citi zens generally the idea of a better system of lighting for Main street. By means of electric globes placed upon the trolley poles the street, in the evening, will be almost as light as at day. This fact will add greatly to the business of the merchants an.l will tend to enliven the city. This committee is also at work in an effort to secure the improvements at Depot square, the extension of Broad street and Kimball street.

Transportation and kindred subjects are in the hands of the transportation committee, which during the past year has given attention to the switching charges of the two railroad systems, freight and traffic rates and the recent changes upon the Boston & Maine system. To the committee on suburban affairs was given the work of trying to create an interest among Fitchburgians in the proposed electric railway to Townsend.

The legislative committee has given some attention to the bills before the state legislature affecting compensation for injured workmen and the minimum wage question.

No committee of the association has done more work or has a more important field for activity than has the committee on city planning, recently appointed, and which is to work in conjunction with a special committee of the city council, A general plan for the development of the entire city, the arrangement of new streets and the altering of old ones, proper housing of workmen, and the beautifying of existing buildings is being worked out, to the end that by the year 1920 the city of Fitchburg may take its rightful place among the beautiful and commercially ideal cities of the country.

meetings of the association, which are held in Lincoln hall, and has secured excellent speakers upon subjects of interest to every member. Through the activity of the membership committee the association has grown rapidly within the past two years This is the organization of the Board of Trade:

President. Frank H. Foss; vicepresident, Marcus A. Coolidge; secretary, Charles F. Wilson; treasurer, J. Milton Hubbard; industrial secretary, Ernest L. Waitt; auditors, J. Wilder Merriam, William T. Hidden and War ner M. Allen; directors, the above officers and Edward A, Bruce, Herbert E. Jennison, Clifton R. Hayes, Robert S. Parks, William C. Kimball, Leon A. Drury, Henry E. Cowdrey and Emerson W. Baker.

While it is necessary that Fitchburg should hav'e various enterprises to supply all its own demands, it is also most creditable to our city, to have concerns whose work is in demand outside, and who have a reputation that makes them known throughout the county.

Such a concern is D. J. Whooley & Co., 42 Day street, and in plumbing, sheet-meta. work, and steam-fitting, it has fulfilled contracts which demonstrate that it has facilities and capacity to compete with any similar company in this section.

The particular advancement of the firm has taken place in the past three years, for though the company was founded in January, 1906, during the first few j'ears plumbing only, was attended to. The greatest expansion has taken place since the sheet-metal and steam-fitting fields were entered.

Everything in sheet-metal work is done. Particular attention is given to equipment for mills and school-houses; ventilators, blowers, cornices, skylights, and the like are made and installed, and a very large amount of work done in this line.

This company in the past year did the plumbing and skylight work for the new mill of the Fitchburg Paper Co. It furnished and installed the skylights, cornices, and ventilating system for the Union Twist Drill Co. at Athol, and more recently for the John A. Dunn Co. of Gardner, and in repair work, does the majority of such operations for the manufacturers in this city.

Plumbing, steam and hot-water heating plants are installed, and in every department of the work this concern has demonstrated its superior capacity and workmanship. Scientific work is done in drainage and plumbing, so that sanitary effects are produced, and for plumbing or heating systems, plans of the premises to be equipped are investigated so that the utilities will be placed in the best positions, and the most desirable results secured.

The correct arrangement of a heating system means a saving in fuel, and ventilation and drainage both may be badly or well planned. The 'Whooley company's success, is sufficient proof that it gives the best results and affords satisfaction to its patrons.

A crew of thirty men is employed. makes of furnace.s, boilers, etc., are carried in stock, also bathroom and lavatory equipment, and all the material and tools that are needed in sheet-metal work.

Mr. Whooley, the proprietor of the business, was employed by the Brownell-Mason company for eleven years before becoming established for himself, six years ago. He had a thorough experience, and as an alert and constructive business man has been adding to his facilities and resources since he entered the field for himself.

Application and ability have given him a deserved success, and he has added to Fitchburg's industrial reputation by giving it a concern so creditable to the community as well as to the proprietor.

Fitchburg Coal Company

Fuel is a most important consideration to manufacturing and to the home. That city is fortunate which has strong, progressive and accommodating dealers, so that it is reasonably sure that famine will not develop and that customers will be served promptly and courteously. In this class is the Fitchburg Coal Company, one of our substantial concerns.

In 1904 a partnership was formed for the purpose of entering into the coal trade in the city of Fitchburg, consisting of John H. Marcy of Waltham, T. E. Sterne of Worcester, and Robert Marcy of Fitchburg, the lastnamed to be resident partner and manager. They leased the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad sheds, and opened for business in April, 1904. The interest of Mr. Sterne was afterward purchased by William Marcy of New York city.

The new company immediately stepped into a prominent position in its field which it has since maintained in spite of the active competition to which this trade is subject.

The company's office is now at 240 Main street. They still control the sheds originally leased, where they have thirty bins, with a total storage capacity of 9000 tons, and carry twenty-one sizes and varieties. The list includes Lackawanna, Franklin, Jeddo Lehigh, and Rhode Island coals in all sizes, as weli as bituminous coals suitable for heating, steam, and smelting purposes. The delivery service Is suitably organized, and purchasers will make no mistake in placing orders, large or small, with this company.

Yard And Teams Of The Fitchburg Coal Company Bell My Tailor

This business, owned by P. A. De- Courcey, was started a little over two years ago, at 68 Main street. Its growth has been remarkable. From the beginning, the modern methods of doing tailoring of Mr. DeCourcey brought immediate results. The response to the original advertising was wonderful, the prices were reasonable, the stock displayed was large and of excellent quality and design. To cap the climax, Mr. DeCourcey established a modern workshop with all the up-todate appliances for making clothes, such as pressing machines, motor machines, etc., with a high-salaried foreman in charge of the eighteen men employed in the season, which Insures garments that are properly made in all respects.

Sub-Enamel

Dresden Sub-Enamel has a pliable, pleasing touch, and is a practical working stock. Will print easily, hold the solid blacks and is less liable to offset. To the customer it is a postage saving proposition, as a lighter weight paper can be used, and to crown all it is

Any Other Kind

Probably 90 per cent, of all shafts having several diameters and one or more tapers, are not over 3V2 inches in diameter, and should be turned on the Lathe.

Fred L. Drury The Grocer

A few features: Automatic Measuring Device. Automatic Taper Attachment. Continuous flow of cutting compound on as many tools as are in service. Fixed and Follow Rests for long or short work. Two Carriages. Balanced Drive. All geared head and geared feed.

Lumber Company

Oiyr F'it'tn composed of Ivers P. Lawrence and Morton A. \yui I II III Klein, both born in this vicinity, and interested in the lumber business for a number of years and residents of Fitchburg - the place to send your lumber order.

The Green City Among The Pines '

Is a real natural outing place. 400,000 people enjoyed themselves there in 1911, It is the largest and best picnic park in New England. All concessions are conducted to please in every respect.

Freight

We originated this service in Fitchburg and the surrounding towns. The amount of business received proved that it was a public necessity and convenience. If you are a patron and do not get satisfactory service inform the company and we will see that you do.