Under the above heading we purpose giving from time to time such items of local interest as we can gather in the way of news, history and business.

J. A. BAKER
who keeps as clean, neat and nice a fruit and confectionery store as you will find anywhere; it is a temptation of all the eating appetites of man to setp into his place of business on the corner of 12th street and Nebraska Avenue, and see the great variety of fruits, candies, &c., &c. most fittingly displayed to attract the attention of the epicure.
Joe. came to Neb. in 1860, settling twenty-eight miles from Columbus on the road to Kearney. His nearest neighbor lived seven miles away. Once, while he was at Omaha, his family, fearing the Sioux who had had a fight and were encamped within a mile of the dwelling--walked off to their neighbors in the night. They were never personally molested by the Indians.
In 1864, Mr. Baker came to Columbus, and has resided here ever since. During the Summer of '64 occurred the great Indian excitement that we have heard so much about. The Indians first attacked a train of eleven wagons at Plum creek, killing all the men, burning the wagons, taking away the stock, with two women and a little girl, prisoners. The raid seems to have been a concerted measure among the Indians, for simulataneous attacks were made by them at different points in the Valley, two hundred and fifty miles apart. All was excitement. General Mitchell who was in command of this district telegraphed to Gov. Saunders to send troops to Columbus for we were in danger of an immediate attack from the Yankton Sioux who, it was supposed, would cross the river some seven miles from here. In the graphic words of our friend, "the whole country west of us got up and skedaddled." Columbus was inclosed with a picket fence of cedar posts, and all the stock from Shell creek to the South channel of the Platte was corraled there at night, and a guard set to give alarm in case of danger. The Indians, however, never made any demonstration upon Columbus, but they did attack a party of hay-makers who had camped near the Pawnee Reservation and were making hay for the government. An old man of the party, name unknown, was killed by the Yankton Sioux; Adam Smith was shot in five different places, and died the next morning; Grimes, wounded by an arrow in the back, died within two weeks after great suffering; Isaac Morran had an arrow shot into his hip; and Mrs. Murray was severely wounded.
These things occurred only seven years ago and what a change there has been since then!
Mr. Baker told us that he was in Omaha in 1864 when George Francis Train made his celebrated speech, in which he predicted that in five years the Union Pacific R. R. would be completed to San Francisco. J. A. thinks that there were not a dozen men in Omaha at that time who believed George Francis--yet his prediction was more than fulfilled.


HENRY P. COOLIDGE
One of the cleverest men in the burg, as well as one of the most active, wide-awake, live business men to be found in any community; always ready for every public enterprise, giving freely, of his time, money and labor. If we were on the brink of despair for work, or money or victuals, we should go to Coolidge, for with a little body, he has as big a heart as you can find in any casket.
Our friend came to Nebraska from Iowa in 1865, and has resided in Columbus since 1868; during the time that he has been here his business has amounted to $14,000 a year.
He has recently (Feb. 18th) removed his business house from Wash., Avenue to the corner of O. and Eleventh street, near the Depot, and between Becker's and Stillman's.
He has on hands a very large assortment of stoves, farming implements, tools, nails and all kinds of hardware, and expects to enlarge his stock still further after the middle of next month. Those of our readers who desire any thing in the hardware line not usually found in western stores, will do well to leave their orders with Mr. Coolidge as he expects to go east by the 15th of March.


From present indications it would seem that the business of Columbus is to be divided between Eleventh Street and Nebraska Avenue: beginning at Clother's hotel and running north to Nebraska Avenue there are two business houses already,--Bonesteel Bros. and Pierce's Dry Goods Stores,--and one in course of erection which is to be 22x70 feet,--Baker's Grocery: on the opposite side of the street, beginning with Baker's fruit and confectionery store and running north are, Arnold's Jewelry store, Sutton & Winterbotham's hardware and furniture store, and A. Stevens's Office.
On Eleventh street beginning with Hannan's Boot and Shoe shop just south of the Depot, and running east are Power's Saloon, Dr. Stillman's Drug Store, Coolidge's hardware, Becker's grocery, the Platte Journal Office, __gin's law-office, Speice & North's law and land office, and Smith and Henderson's paint shop, besides Turner _. Hulst's lumber yard near the R. R. track.


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The Columbus Democrat, October 13, 1883

Columbus may well feel proud of the thrift and enterprise of her business men. Not only are our merchants and dealers conducting a healthy and vigorous trade at home, but many have established branch houses in other localities, thus radiating and diffusing the spirit of enterprise that animates the central body into more distant quarters. Among those who have thus extended their business beyond the confines of our own city we may mention:

L. KRAMER & CO.
This firm, not content with carrying a mammoth stock of Dry goods of all kinds and discriptions in Columbus, embracing about $50,000 worth of stock in three large store buildings, and employing in the Columbus houses twenty-one clerks and salesmen, have a large branch house in North Platte stocked with $25,000 worth of goods, and also another house in Schuyler with a stock of $20,000. This latter is one of the most elegant dry goods establishments in the west. It is under the charge of Ed. Smith, whose name alone is enough to give tone and character to the business. Their North Platte house is under the management of L. Kramer, the senior member of the firm, while Carl Kramer conducts the home house in Columbus. Carl is a Napoleon in the business, and the solid and increasing prosperity of the firm is largely due to his superior business qualities.


HULST & PRICE.
These two Columbus men together with Messrs. Jaeggi & Schubach, of our city, projected and established the large grain elevator at Albion, in this state. The business at Albion is now conducted by Messrs. Hulst & Price. Their elevator has a stoarge capacity of 20,000 bushels, with facilities for handling and shipping 30 car loads of grain per day. This firm also owns and operates a ware house at St. Edwards, and another at Cedar Rapids, in Boone county.


A. HENRY.
This gentleman together with his business in Columbus, carries on three lumber yards, one in David City, one in Platte Center, and another in Central City.


J.E. NORTH & CO.
While this firm is engaged in almost every legitimate branch of business in Columbus that can suggest itself to the human mind, they have established a grain elevator and warehouse in Platte Center. In connection with the grain business, they also buy and ship hogs. Hon. James E. North, the head of this firm, is one of the most enterprising men in Nebraska. Mr. North has contributed more than any other man to the settlement and building up of this portion of the state. To his unceaseing energy and active public spirit is due in a large measure, the prosperity of our town and community.


J.P. BECKER & CO.
The senior member of this firm, Hon. John P. Becker, is one of the founders of Columbus. It would be much easier to name the different lines of business in which Mr. Becker is not engaged than to enumerate the several branches of trade which he conducts. While Mr. Becker is ready to supply almost every human want in his many departments of business in Columbus, he also owns a controlling interest in a large flour mill on Shell Creek, about nine miles northeast of our city, together with a large stock farm and a big herd of cattle. It is said that when Mr. Becker came to Columbus he had only the traditionary $2.50 and a jack knife. Another example of what industry and honest dealing will do for a man in the west.


F. BRODFUEHRER.
The same sagacity that actuated this gentleman to first locate in the jewelery business in Columbus has recently prompted him to start a branch house at West Point, in this state, where he now carries a stock of several thousand dollars, and under the management of A. Fisher. Mr. Brodfuehrer's Columbus store is one of the finest and best stocked establishments of the kind west of Omaha, and his home trade is immense. Still we understand that he is casting around for another favorable point in which to start a second branch house. Any ordinary man would be well satisfied with the business done by Mr. Brodfueher in his Columbus house, but like our western winds, you can't chain down or quiet the engergies of a western business man. Like many others, Mr. Brodfuehrer has made his means in Columbus by hard work and honesty, that is, if a jeweler can be honest.


CHARLES SCHROEDER.
Charles Schroeder is proprietor of the Columbus Foundery, and also machine shop and wagon factory, also dealer in pumps and wind mills. He conducts a branch house at Wakefield, in Dixon county. Mr. Schroeder measures as much enterprise to the square yard as any other man in our midst. We believe when Mr. Schroeder started in Columbus his capital consisted of $1.25 and a second-hand jack knife. Young man, come west.


G. HEITKEMPER.
Mr. Heitkemper owns an elegant jewelry store in Columbus, and enjoys a large patronage. Notwithstand all this; he has a branch house at Schuyler well stocked with fine goods.


JAMES H. GALLEY & BRO.
This old Columbus firm might well be content with the busines of their Columbus house, but the spirit was upon them and they opened up a branch house at Creighton, in this state, in which they carry a $10,000 stock of dry goods.

This much we have said concerning the men who have extended their business beyond the walls. Next week we will endeavor to note a few of the leading business firms who work within the confines.


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The Columbus Democrat, October 20, 1883

Columbus Enterprise.
In our last issue we noted a few of the Columbus business firms that operate branch houses in other towns. We will now, from week to ewek, mention some more of the more prominent business establishments in our city.


E.D. FITZPATRICK.
Some six years ago the passer might have noticed a small bunch of rather dilapidated tin whistles, an old fiddle and a half dozen spelling books occupying a little corner in Al. Arnold's jewelery store. The presiding elder in charge of that congregation of goods and chattels was E.D. Fitzpatrick. To-day we observe this same gentleman occupying one of the largest business houses in the city, filled with a $3,000 stock of toys, musical instruments, books, stationery, cigars, etc. During the brisk season of trade six employees are required to wait on the numerous customers of this establishment. The news department alone has a circulation of 1000 newspapers per week. Mr. Fitzpatrick during the last year completed one of the neatest residences in town. The business done by this house during the last year is from 20 to 25 per cent more than the year preceding. Mr. Fitzpatrick claims that his success is largely due to judicious advertising.


A.J. ARNOLD, JEWELRY.
Twenty-six years ago this man got into Columbus (nobody knows how) in mid winter, clad in a straw hat and linen duster. Upon taking a carefull and accurate inventory of his wealth the same was found to consist of 25 cents in cash and a lead pencil. Nineteen years ago he started in the jewelery business, and the old people say his first stock of goods was of microscopic proportions. Al. sold the first watch and clock ever sold in Platte county. Mr. Arnold is still in the jewelery business, and has a capital of over $5,000 invested in the trade, besides owning two large and valuable farms near Columbus stocked with over one hundred choice cattle. His trade during the last year is fifty per cent more than that of the year before.


DOWTY & KELLY, DRUGGISTS.
About four years ago the head of this firm, David Dowty, entered the employ of Messrs. Doland & Smith, of this city, as prescription clerk. On Jan. 1, 1881, he became one of the proprietors of the house. This establishment carries a stock of over $5,000 and their business during the last year has exceeded that of the year before by one-third. Their sales last year aggregated over 14,000. Mr. Dowty is a fitting example to our youth of what industry, careful attention to duty and moral rectitude will do for a young man.


JULIUS RAMUSSEN.
In the early spring of '72 a bare-footed youth strolled into our city a little after dark and cautiously searched around for some open livery stable, whose inviting loft might afford him rest and shelter for the night. Gold or silver he had none. Poor in purse but rich in possibilities the youth first entered the employ of Marshall Smith as a journeyman baker, where he labored for over three years. Well, this was Julius Rasmussen. About seven years ago he started in business in our city opening up a general grocery store. Mr. Rasmussen now has a capital of $12,000 invested in his business. He occupies a large salesroom 20x80, with cellar, besides a ware house 20x50. His sales during the last year amounted to $30,000, the same being an increase of from 15 to 20 per cent more than the previous year. Young men, go ye and do likewise.


F. SCHECK, CIGAR FACTORY.
Few have given evidence of shrewder business capacity than Mr. Scheck. This gentleman commenced the manufacture of cigars in our city in 1878, on a capacity of less than $300. By early rising, constant working and honest treatment of his customers Mr. Scheck's little $250 stock in a 12x14 room has grown into a $4,000 mass of goods, occupying a store about 25x60 feet. The establishment has a working capacity of 2,500 to 3000 cigars per day, and employs 8 hands, whose wages range from 14 to $22 per week. Mr. Scheck finds ready sale for his goods, and at present ships in whole sale lots, to over twenty-five different points throughout the state. We predict a bright business future for Mr. Scheck in Columbus.

M.K. Turner, newspaper and sheep to be continued next week.


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The Columbus Democrat, October 27, 1883

Columbus Enterprise.

FRIEDHOF & CO. DRY GOODS.
Theodore Friedhof, the senior member of this firm entered business life in our town five years ago as clerk and salesman in one of our dry goods stores. About four years ago he established the business which he has built up to its present proportions. The house carries a stock of $50,000 and the sales during the last year amounted to $75,000 which is 100 per cent. more than the amount sold during the first year of the business. Five clerks and salesmen are employed in this establishment. Mr. Friedhof's business partner resides and carries on like business in New York city. The thrift and prosperity which attended Mr. Friedhof's labors since his advent to our city is one of the best advertisements Columbus could receive.


C.D. & G.W. CLOTHER, HOTEL.
The name of the Clother House is familiar wherever the English language is spoken in this portion of the west. The Clother House was erected in 1869 by its present proprietors. At first it was of very limited proportions just enough to meet the moderate demands of those early days, but it improved with the times and now represents an invested capital of about $25,000. Its average patronage is about 60 guests per day, with a capacity for accommodating 75. Fifteen employees are on the payroll of this hotel and the business of the past year has been fully one hundred per cent. better than that of the year preceding and five hundred per cent. more than any of the earlier years of its existence.


ISRAEL GLUCK.
Mr. Gluck first opened out in business in Columbus nine years ago with a very meager capital to work on. What he lacked in means he supplied in energy and application to business. His handsome brick store now contains a stock of $25,000 and his sales during the last year aggregated $40,000. He reports the business of the current year as being twenty per cent. better than the year before. Mr. Gluck observes a demand for a better quality of goods from year to year as the community grows in wealth. The cheap and coarse grades that met with ready sales some years ago would now lie unpurchased on the shelves. In addition to all his other lucre this gentleman owns 1,400 acres of choice land in the vicinity of Columbus. Who would not do business in Columbus?


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The Columbus Democrat, November 3, 1883

Columbus Enterprise.

J.B. DELSMAN, DRY GOODS AND GROCERIES.
In 1874 Mr. Delsman entered the employ of J.C. Morrissey, in this city as salesman. In 1875 he opened a small store stocked with $300. worth of groceries which amount represented the sum total of Mr. Delsman's worldly wealth. He now has a capital of $11,000 invested in his business, besides owning residence property worth $25,000. His sales for the last year footed up $35,000. He reports business for the last year 40 per cent. better than during the preceding year. It is men like Mr. Delsman that have built up the West.


CAPT. D.D. WADSWORTH, PROPRIETOR LINDELL HOTEL.
Many of our older residents may call to mind the fire in June, 1874, that destroyed about all the worldly means of Capt. Wadsworth. The same business energy and pluck that built a new Chicago out of the ashes of the old animated the captain, and instead of grieving and despairing over his misfortune, he went to work with a will, and to-day his large hotel averages fifty guests, with capacity for accommodating seventy-five. This establishment represents a capital of over $10,000, and in the last six months the business has been 100 per cent more than in the preceding half year. Eight employees are on the pay roll of the house. The prospects are that within a short time this hostelrie will be enlarged to double its present capacity, for the captain is one of those men who keeps fully abreast with the increasing prosperity of the town and country.


DR. C.B. STILLMAN, DRUG STORE.
When Dr. Stillman landed in Columbus, 26 years ago, he was no Jay Gould; neither was he a Vanderbilt. The Dr. engaged in the drug business in 1866, and has conducted the same in our city since that time. About $8,000 capital is employed, and the annual sales are over $12,000. The Doctor's business during the last year exceeds that of the year before by from 15 to 20 per cent. Besides his business establishment, the Doctor is the peaceful possessor of over $6,000 worth of city property. The Dr. in time has healed a great many and is well heeled himself.


POHL & WERMUTH, HARDWARE AND FARMING IMPLEMENTS.
This firm has been in existance about a year and works on a capital of about $12,000, and have made sales to the amount of $40,000. The firm purposes erecting a large warehouse for storing hardware and agricultural machinery to accommodate their rapidly increasing trade. The business of this firm is not confined to Platte county, for they receive a large patronage from adjoining counties. We might add that when the gentlemen who compose this firm first came to Columbus their means was very moderate, but industry and application to business has ever insured success in our community, and the firm of Pohl & Wermuth is no exception to the rule.


JOHN HEITKEMPER, GROCERIES, GLASSWARE, ETC.
Mr. Heitkemper has been in busines nearly two years. Like many prudent business men, he began on a small capital, amounting to less than $1,700. His trade during the last year footed up over $16,000. He reports his business of last year 35 per cent more than that of the preceding year.


C.D. BARLOW, HARDWARE.
Mr. Barlow came to our city about one year ago an entire stranger and immediately entered into business. His sales have amounted ot $23,000 which is a good showing on a capital stock of $5,000. As an evidence of the healthy nature of Columbus business, it may be remarked that the books of Mr. Barlow show only $106.17 outstanding on this vast amount of sales and only $5 of this amount is uncollectable.


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The Columbus Democrat, December 1, 1883

Columbus Enterprise.

GREISEN BROS. BOOTS & SHOES.
Jacob Greisen, the head of this firm, came to Columbus in 1872 and worked at his trade as journeyman for over a year, when he started in business on a capital of $100. The firm now employ about $9,000 in business, and the sale amounted to $16,000 last year, being one quarter more than the year before. Four men are employed in this establishment.


GEORGE LEHMAN, GRAND PACIFIC HOTEL.
Mr. Lehman has been five years the proprietor of the above hotel in which he has invested a capital of about $15,000. This house has capacity for accommodating eighty guests. Twelve servants are employed in the establishment. The receipts of the business for the last year amounted to the snug sum of $20,000, while the receipts for the year before were only about $10,000. Mr. Lehman informs us that he expects by next spring to erect an addition to his hotel 26x60 ft. and three stories high, to be built of brick. When this proposed structure is completed the Grand Pacific will be one of the most commodious hotels in the state west of Omaha.


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The Columbus Weekly Telegram, June 28, 1889

STILL ANOTHER
J. P. ABTS WILL BUILD WITH BRICK

The Building to be Large, Roomy, Handsome, Solid And Substantial--Work to Commence Soon.

So many new buildings have been built or are being builded in Columbus this season that no one is surprised anymore when some enterprising Columbus citizen commences to pile up brick for another.
J.P. Abts has commenced to pile up material on his lot on Thirteenth street for a new building. He has let the contract for its erection to James Salmon and will begin work in the course of two weeks.
The building is to have a frontage of twenty-two feet, depth of ninety feet, and will consist of two stories and a basement. The basement will be the full size of the building, seven feet high. The first floor will be fourteen feet in the clear, and be divided into a store room fifty-feet deep, dining room and kitchen each twenty feet deep. The upper story will have a hall forty feet long and the balance will be bed rooms. The front will be built of pressed brick with an ornamental brick front, plate glass and be built in first-class style. The cornice will also be of ornamental pressed brick. The building will be handsome and a desirable acquisition to the city. J.P. Abts will occupy it, his large and increasing business demanding larger quarters than he has at present.


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The Columbus Weekly Telegram, July 19, 1889

MAKING BUTTER.
The Columbus Creamery Turning Out Hundreds of Pounds of the Yellow Produce.
The Columbus creamery has been doing a large business lately in the manufacture of their famous butter. Week before last the creamery turned out an average of 1,185 pounds daily, and last week incrased the daily average to 1,224 pounds. The creamery is one of the most valuable manufacturing concerns in the county, and The Telegram is pleased to see it making so much of the golden butter.


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The Columbus Weekly Telegram, August 30, 1889

A COLUMBUS INDUSTRY
WHICH MANUFACTURES FIRST CLASS WINDMILLS

The Gilt Edge Manufacturing Company Coming to the Front--When Established, Capital Stock, Incorporators--A Description of the Company's Buildings--Kind of Material Used--Other Items of Interest Concerning the Factory.
A Telegram reporter visited the windmill factory last evening and through the courtesy of C.A. Woosley, manager of the Gilt Edge Manufacturing company, was shown through the different departments and learned many items concerning the factory which will be of general interest to the public.
The original incorporators of this important concern were C. Hinkley, W.H. Dean, C.A. Woosley and Fred Rood, the authorized capital stock being placed at $25,000, which may be increased to $50,000. About the middle of May, 1889, the company's buildings which are built of brick and numbering five, were completed and the machinery placed. The first mill was turned out about a week later and Manager Dean started out to establish agents and place his goods upon the market. He met with poor success at first, which was all perfrectly natural, and on July first sold out his interest to C.A. Woosley, who took the management and since that time has secured a large number of agents in all parts of the state, who are pushing the sale of his goods with surprising vigor. In fact the company is hardly able to keep up with the orders and will be compelled to increase their capacity next year.
Entering the first building facing the east, our reporter found a neatly arranged office, where the business of the company is transacted, and in the rear, under the same roof, he found an immense amount of finished stock all arranged in apple-pie order and ready for shipment. This building is 20-x60 feet on the ground and is a good, substantial structure. The next building to the west covers an area of 20-x60 feet and is the paint room proper. The third building is of the same size as the first two named and contains the machinery, where all the planing and dressing of timber is done.
The fourth building, 16x24, contains the engine and boiler. The fifth building, 20x50, contains the blacksmith shop. A large force of hands is steadily employed in all the departments, and windmills, tanks and towers are manufactured with wonderful rapidity. The company uses the very best of timber in the manufacture of their mills, the fans and vane being made of cypress wood, the lightest and most durable soft wood known in this country. It cannot be broken or twisted in two by any ordinary means, and will stand exposed to the weather for a life time. The arms and braces are made of solid oak timber which renders them strong and durable. The company is now on a solid basis financially and otherwise, and are destined to become the leading windmill factory of the west. Their mill has no equal for simplicity and durability, and persons who have had an opportunity to test its merits would not use any other. The factory is a grand advertisement for Columbus and its prosperity and increasing patronage is bound to prove of incalcuble benefit to every property owner in our city. We have several other important institutions in Columbus which will receive due attention from this paper later on.


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The Columbus Weekly Telegram, October 4, 1889

COLUMBUS WILL BOOM
THE UNION PACIFIC COMPANY GETS A MOVE ON ITSELF.

Eight New Stalls Will be Added to the Round House--The Freight House to be Moved--A Stand Pipe Erected--Several Thousand Feet of Side Track to be Laid--Numerous Other Improvements of an Important Nature.

The Union Pacific folks are about to make some important changes at this place, which will tend to give our city quite a little boom and afford employment for a large number of extra hands.
The company has determined to move their freight house from its present location to a much better site east of their stone depot. They will next take down their water tank and erect a stand pipe at the crossing on Olive street. Several thousand feet of additional side track will be constructed, the ice house will be converted into a repair shop, a large storage room for coal will be built and numerous other improvements made which will be mutually beneficial to the company and our city. The company has also decided to add eight new stalls to the round house, but it being so late, this work may not be commenced until spring.
The Union Pacific company has done much for Columbus in the past and it evidently intends to continue its good work for us in the future. Columbus is destined to become one of the prominent cities of the west, and there will be a revival of business here within the next sixty days that will startle the natives. We are ready for the boom, let it come with the fury of a cyclone.


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The Columbus Weekly Telegram, October 18, 1889

THE POST OFFICE BUILDING
It Will Be Erected At Once--To Be Located North of the Union Pacific Depot--James Pearsall the Contractor.
From Tuesday's Daily.
The contract was let this morning for the new postoffice building. James Pearsall will erect it for the sum of $3,000 and agrees to have it completed in sixty days. The building will be 22x50 feet, two stories high and facing east on North street and located on the north side of the alley and just south of the Rorer & McDill block. The first floor will be occupied by Postmaster Kramer, as the postoffice, and it is thought the telephone exchange will occupy the second floor. The front of the building will be of pressed brick and it will present a neat and tasty appearance. It is being erected by the Columbus Real Estate and Improvement company, and will be one more valuable addition to the 1889 building improvements in Columbus.


The Columbus Weekly Telegram, November 22, 1889

S.S. Rickly and Jacob Wagner will open a meat market on Eleventh street, next to Sam Gass' furniture store about the first of next week. The firm name will be Rickly & Wagner. These gentlemen are well known to our people, and the fact that Mr. Rickly is an experienced butcher is a guarantee that the market will be first class in every particular.


The Columbus Weekly Telegram, January 10, 1890

County Judge Hensley informs The Telegram that he will open an office up town very soon. He will probably located upstairs in R.H. Henry's building, over Dowty's drug store.


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The Columbus Weekly Telegram, October 22, 1891

GLUCK'S NEW BUILDING.

It is Completed, is One of the Finest in the city and Occupied by Permanent Business Enterprises.

April 17, 1879, Henry Ragatz & Co. opened a grocery store with a small stock in a building located on the lots on which I. Gluck has just erected a fine brick block. Their business increased until last spring it was found that they would have to either have more room or quit business. Mr. Gluck then decided to build and the structure he has erected is a credit to the city and its owner. It is 33 x 76 feet and two stories high with a roomy basement.
With the exception of one room the entire building--first and second floor and basement--is occupied by Henry Ragatz & Co's. grocery store. To give a description of their store, which is undoubtedly one of the finest retail houses in the state, is no easy task. The main floor or salesroom is lined on either side with shelves, drawers and chests all well filled with goods. The west half of the room is devoted to the crockery, glassware and queensware department; the shelves on the east side are loaded with groceries of every description, while from the ceiling are hung lamps of all sizes. In the center of the rear part is the business office, which is neatly and conveniently arranged. The second floor is used mostly for storing surplus goods, and is reached by either stairway or elevator. In the basement is the oil room, vegetable bins and general depository for canned goods, etc.
The fixtures for the entire building were furnished by Hunteman Brothers, and as far as possible, home industries were employed in the construction and fitting of the entire building. The front of the store is plate glass, and the building is illuminated by electric lights. In all, this popular grocery firm may well feel proud of their new business home and the many conveniences with which they are surrounded.
The northeast corner of the first floor of the building, a room 13x34 feet, is occupied by A.E. Searl's barber shop. When Mr. Searl moved from his temporary quarters, just west of Galley's store, he left his fixtures there and commenced business in the new shop yesterday with a complete new outfit, which is one of the finest usually seen in towns the size of Columbus. The glasses and chairs are finished in hand-carved oak, and the mirrors are so situated that you can sit in either chair and observe what is transpiring in any part of the room. Mr. Searl now has a barber shop which is first-class in every particular and in which he can expect to do a good business.


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The Columbus Telegram, March 7, 1913

A new firm which will take its place among the large concerns of Columbus in the business field was launched this week, when articles of incorporation were filed at the office of the county clerk for the Columbus Fuel and Storage Company. Henry Ragatz, A.L. Rush and Ed M. Ragatz are the incorporators. The authorized capital stock is $50,000. In speaking of his new business venture this morning, Mr. Henry Ragatz said, "The Columbus Fuel and Storage Company will take over the T.B. Hord fuel business at this point and will also erect a large warehouse for the storage of goods. As yet we have formed our plans only in a general way. The details have not been worked out. We have secured an option on trackage, 66 by 100 feet, just east of the Elevator Roller Mills, and we expect to build our warehouse there. The size and construction of the building have not yet been determined, but it will be something subtantial and a credit to Columbus. Our new corporation began life on March 5, but will not become actively engaged in business till April 1, at about which time we expect to take over the Hord coal business. Mr. Rush and Ed Ragatz will continue their connections with the Hord Grain company, as at present."


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The Columbus Journal, March 9, 1916

PLANS BEING MADE TO INCREASE OUTPUT

Klaus Canning Company Will Triple Its Business During Year.

From reliable sources it has been learned that the Klaus Canning company is planning to triple its business in all departments this year in the canning as well as the packing plant. The company during the last year turned out 1,000 cases of corn and 1,800 cases of tomatoes. The product of the factory has heretofore been handled by the H. W. Abts Wholesale Grocery company of this city and they have had such a tremendous call for these goods that they have asked Mr. Klaus to increase the capacity of the factory. The Abts company this year wants in the neighborhood of 5,000 cases of tomatoes and 3,000 cases of corn and the plant will be enlarged to fill this order and more if needed.
After the canning season ends in the fall Mr. Klaus plans to use the plant for packing purposes and it is proposer to kill at least 100 hogs per week. The meat business will also be handled by the Abts company, which has made arrangements to sell the entire output. The canning factory is a good business proposition for the farmers of this locality and contracts are now being made to plant a much larger acreage of tomatoes and corn than has ever been contracted before. Good prices are paid for this raw material and will keep the factory going into fall, which will give employment to a large number of people. The farmers and laboring people of this community are all benefitted by this latest move on the part of Mr. Klaus.


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The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 1, 1926

Grant Licenses--
The city fathers devoted most of their time at a special meeting last evening to pasing upon applications for soft drink, pool and billiard, plumbers, housemovers' and other licenses for the municipal year beginning today. Mrs. Josephine Kush was granted a license to conduct a soft drink parlor in Eleventh street which her husband, Tom Kush, sr., operated last year, but only on the condition that the husband keep away from the place as he was recently convicted of driving an automobile while intoxicated and any violation of the liquor laws is ground for refusal of a license to operate a soft drink business. August Wagner as attorney for Mrs. Kush, told the council that it was her money and not her husband's that was tied up in the place and that if given a license she would employ her son or someone else to manage the business for her until such time as she could sell it. That was the only way, he said, that she could avoid losing what she had invested. Mr. Wagner gave assurance that Kush himself, would not be permitted to take any part in the operation of the business. On the strength of his statement, Councilman Levine made a motion that the license be granted and the motion was carried. Soft drink licenses were also granted to A. Moschenross, J.F. Fluckiger, Albert Zimmer, Louis Glur and E.R. Tally. Similar licenses had previously been granted to John Kusek and Charles Becher. Pool and billiard licenses were granted to Gutzmer and Justus, R.L. Dolan and E.R. Tally. Henry Seipp was granted a dray license; E.J. Meays, a housemovers' license and the firm of Dussell & Son, a plumbers' license. All the banks in Columbus were made city depositories.


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The information about the business changes was obtained from the website - Platte County, Nebraska Researchers. You can find it on line HERE