Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1869 — A Model Store. [ARTICLE]

A Model Store.

We had occasion to call into the Saddle and Harness Store of Messrs. J. R. Vanatta & Son, last Monday. While there, the senior member of the firm Very courteously conducted us through the establishment, entertaining us with an account of the business and.an explanation of its details. Messrs. J. R. Vanatta & Son occupy a two story building on the north side of Washington street, midway between Front and Van Rensselaer streets; The building is 25 feet wide by 50 feet depp.— ’rhe ground floor is finished off in ,one large room, having a handsome glass front; and is used for the display of samples, and as a sales room. In this room wo saw sets of harness, from the primitive chain and bock-strap plow gear, and the long and short tug, general Utility harness, to the elegant silver mounted carriage set. There were collars of all Sizes from those small enough for the smallest hitched to a water cart up to those that would fit the largest old Normandy draft 'drorsc. Then the saddles, of which a speciality is made—there were raw hide covered McClellan trees, the common bogskins, the English raccing or. jockey pads and the elaborately ornamented, high horned Spanish saddles. Whips of a dozen different styles w ere hanging up by the score; together with lashes, stalks, etc.; bridles, halters, blankets, spurs,, bits, including the celebrated Dayton Safety Bit, the best ever invented to curb vicious horses; curry combs, brushes, cards; all known kinds of saddle hardware; four hundred dollars’ worth of Pittsburg Oak-tanned Harness Leather; trunks, carpet-bags, leather valises; the heaviest and best quality oilcloth hearth, haH or car riage rugs, of the most beautiful patterns. But it is no use attempting an inventory of their stock.— We have neither the time nor the space, and if we had it Would be far more interesting to call and sec these things, and everybody is invited to do so. The second floor is partitioned into two rooms. One of them is for a work shop, and the other is used as a ware-room for such :yticles as are not on exhibition. We saw neither a machine nor appretw tice, and was informed that they neither used the one nor employed the other. All their work was done under their personal supervision, by experienced workmen, and every stitch is warranted. Mr. Vanatta said they sold goods at Lafayette prices, and many articles at even less figures; “And why not?” he asked; “we buy in the same market, and order as large bills; we own our store-room and dwelling, and have no rents to pay; taxes are not so high; we can live cheaper; hired labor is' cheaper; and we sell exclusively fur auhr f In conclusion we gi\e it as our belief thaUwithout exception Messrs. J, R. Vanatta A Son have the

largest And best selected stock of the kind, that has been opened in Jasper comity in tho last ten years; and perhaps we would bo sate in saying the largest stock ever in the county.