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n. T. Holman Ltd. ‘Estbalished 1857 S’Sides Oldest Store

_ To the firm of R. T. Holman. Ltd. Prince Edward Island's leading business ‘ " ' -t. with mag- nificent stores in Summcrsida: land Charlottetown. congratulations are in order upon the notable event they Jro celebrating this week-the 77th mnniversary of ti‘: founding of the business. -

It ls not necessary to retell the story of R. T. Holman Limited-

President of R. fr. Holman, Ltd.

In the early days at Bummerside during the summer months the harbour would present a pretty sight with ships riding at anchor, white sails floating in the breeze and masts glistening in the sun. and many a boyish heart thrilled at the thought of one day going to far ofl lands in some "Barkentine" which was at that time queen of the ocean. ; The first shipping was hcwn or sided timber, rnfted down the riv- ers, the Dunk and Wilmot, to ships

As the iorestsbecame ’ r‘ ‘ d so also did the price of grain decline on thalkltish market. Owllii i0 the inroads of Russian competition. As a result this vast industry grad- ually disapreared, compelling the people to seek new markets for their grain. Those markets were eventually located and established in the British West Indies. Tho type of ship was also changed from Island built Barques and Barkan- tines to Nova Bcotia built Brigat- ines and Burques, the latter being

i borrowed capital. The

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all one need to, do is to let the im- ‘aginatlon wander a little to picture that small store back in 1857—es- tablisltnd by the late R..T. Holman —and then to the present day to see the huge organization that has grown fro lt-operating in both Sumrnersi e and Charlottetown- and doing bus‘ncss in nearly every part of the world. '

77 years is a. long UJHQTQ period over which history is made-a per- lodover which depressions come- anlfgo. The management of R. T. Holman Limited look to the future with confidence in Prince Edward Island-confidence in the people-- and confidence in their many cus- tomers rld friends.

The First Store

It is interesting to trace the his- tory of this firm, which was found- ed by the late Robert Tlnson Hol- man.

His first store was on the north side o1 Water Street, Summersidn. about where James A. MucNeil 8t Sons‘ present business stand is located. 1t was a small" building. being about 15 x 20 feet. The stock was limited. being purchased on proprietor was physically small but great in ability, energy and business vision.

He possessed a wonderful know- ledge of detail, and in a few short years. due to this characieristid and to strict attention to busin- ess. especially seeing that the goods actually required by the Diibiii!

were always on hand, the llabllit-.

ies were wiped out and a substan- tial balnnm had accumulated to his credit. In the words of an old phrase, it came to be said of Hol- man‘s “that you could buy any- thing from a needle to an anchor.‘

Sons Enter Business

m a number of years Mr. Hol- man conducted the business alone. About the year 1896 his son Harry becantr: associated with him and a little later his son. J. IleRoy.

Entering the firm practically as boys they soon became acquainted

with every detail, and when their‘

father passed away in 1906, they had a. thorough grasp of the im- mense business which they were able not merely to maintain but greatly increase-to build even a more imposing and more successful commercial structure on the foun- dations so firmly established in pro- vlmls years.

Additional Accommodation

A steadily expanding business was carried on in the store built in 1895 but it was found that ad- dition accommodation was neces- sary. Accordingly about the year 1917 a new crockcryware and house furnishings and furniture depart- ments were added to the main building, giving a fronts-Kc 0f! WW" Street of 210 feet with a depth of 125 feet, the additions being four stories high.

The Departments Today the establishment consists of the following departments, each a Large store in itself: Indies’ and gents’ ready-to-wear and mil-

linery, boots and shoes, gents’ furn-.

ishings, hats and caps, general dry goods, hardware, grocery, crockery, house furnishings and furniture. coal, lumber and , -' e.

In addition they have 1'7 ware- houses and one of the largest wharf properties in the Maritime Provin- ces. The Holman plant therefore comprises practically everything in the mercantile line.

An additional showroom has been opened up on the second flccr o1 the furniture deparrnent.

ltfllestonea on the Road of Progress

About the year i009 the nrm in- itiated a mail order business and sent out a large number of catalog- ues. Since then they have changed their policy, discontinued the cats- logues, and doubled the expenditure on newspaper advertising. They state their sales have greatly in- creaud. thanks to the power of tho press.

Another event in the history of

MR. H. T. HOLMAN

branch store in Charlottetown in 1923. This branch is in charge of Mr. Robert T. Holman, grandson of the founder. Last year another branch was opened at Montague.

The policy adopted by the found- er of the firm in fully satisfying customers has been maintained through the years both in the Sum- merslde and Charlottetown stores and is being continued at Montague. The magnificent growth of_ the business in a province the size of Prince Edward Island fully tmtifics to the successful working of this policy.

Confidence in the Town

One lesson to be learned from the success cf Holmarfs is that it pays to have confidence in the m- sources and potentialities of our town.

Without this faith and con- fidence the firm would not have grown to the proportions it has reached today. When an individual has reached the age of 'l'l years it may be taken that his physical powers are waning and that the best o; his life has been spent. Not so with the 7'1 year old Holman firm. Under able management it has grown stronger with the passing years. and it is now so firmly root- ed, like a mighty tree in the public confidence, that it may safely be predicted that birthday‘ anniver- saries will be celebrated for genera- tions to come.

Messrs. Harry T. Holman. Presi- dent, and J. LeRoy Holman, Vice- Presldent have developed even to greater perfection the principles and methods, followed by the founder of his widely known de- partmental store. They possess the industry, the initiative, the enter- prise and aptitude for commercial life which invariably spell success. Keeping fully abreast of the times. in every phase of their extensive and extending business, they are cefleinly proving true to the fam- ily traditions and their army of customers will tender them the hearty congratulations due them on the rounding out of another year of notable achievement. The training which they and the heads of many cf the departments receiv- ed from the late Robert T. Hol- man, has been of inestimable value.

This training plus natural cap- acity. has materially helped to give the Holmarrs the high standing in the world of commerce which they occupy today.

Growing Volume of Business

The business has grown in volume tremendously. especially within the lest few years.

Last year e00 car loads of mer- chandise waa handled; a solid train o1 merchandise six miles long.

Holmans buying power enables them to buy direct from the fac- tory or producer at the lowest pos- sible price. In search for the best their orders for a carioad of sheet iron goes to England, a carload of tea sets to far Japan, a carload of batteries to Toronto, and even their order of cork goes direct to Portugal . . .

A Step Ahead in Merchandising Servl

06

l l

lying to anchor in Bedeque Bay. much smaller than those engaged Tluese ships, square rigged, the type ‘ in Transatlantic trade. These ships used at that time in transatlanticiwould bring the products of the trade would carry the timber to Bouth suchas Molasses. $1881.60“!- Great Britain. This trade develop- nuts -and yams to Summerside, and ed on account of Britain's supply iload return cargoes of oats, horses

of lumber being cut off during the Napoleonic Wars.

This trade was the beginning of the establishment of the shipbuild- ing industry at Summerside. Joseph Pope first came to the Island through this Industry. The cuttmg of the timber naturally cleared large tracts of land which the in- habitants planted with grain. This they exported to the Country in many instances in ships built on the shores of Bedeque Bay.

Many of the shipbuilders would sell cargo and ship and returning to the Island would repeat the operation. This trade became so lucrative that as many as forty ships have been known to be under construction at one time. It also had the effect of enticing sturdy British settlers to our shores, many of them masters of Britain's oldest industry, the Mer- cantile Marine.

of the better furnishings which in the end give a service of true econ- only. In keeping with our progres- sive policy and wishing to be help- ful. they have inaugurated the Hol- man home plan. a plan that. has proven from the start popular, practical and useful.

Public SPirit/Bd

Messrs. H. T. and J. LeRoy Hol- man although very busy men. find time to take part in many things for the advancement of the town.

-H. T. Holman was reelected as President of the Prince County Hospital, a position he has held f0 a number of‘ years. ‘

He is a. ve:y active member of the Board of Trade and chairman of the Tourist Committee. Mr. Hol- man has great faith in the tourist business on P.E.I. I-Ie is a member of the Golf Club and is connected with many other activities of the town.

His brother, J. IcRoy is particul- arly interested in sports and in the younger generation.

He has spent much time and money in the interest of hockey. He is also a member of the Scout Council and takes an active interest in the worthwhile movement.

Messrs. H. T. Holman and J. LeRoy Holman with their entire staff wish to congratulate Summer- side on having had 60 years of progress.

Godkin Bros.

This store occupias one of the oldest sites in the town. The shop was originally the carriage shop of R. C. MacLcod. The back par; of the building was ..a blacksmithh 511011 Aiiiimigil the interior has been busned, the building is the same as in 1860 when carriage building was the chfnf business at Greens Shore. Benjamin Godgin founded the business. having lean]. ed his trade with the late W. W.

Mother l

§and poultry. This trade was well idevelcped in 1881 and the piers at ;Bummerside often resembled a ‘ forest of masts

. A life long impression was creat- led in the youth of the day, along ‘with a spirit of exploration and adventure, by the visits o! these uessels from foreign countries. ‘Many young men left their native land never to return. A keen spirit , of rivalry existed among the various Captains as to who sail the fastest ship cr who could make the quick- est voyage. This spirit was so strong as to h’: imparted to all those with whom them came in contact‘.

Owing to the ever chanling trade conditions, this commerce gradually gave way to steamship . many of these established regular direct connections wlthMontreal. Halifax and Newfoundland. While this change was going on at sea our farmers were adopting different

Olympia Ice Cream Parlors

Mr. J. Henry Gaudet has oper- ated the Olympia ice cream par- lours for many years. He also has a large trade in the country for his icecream, which is manufac- tured in his up-to-date plant.

Mr. Gaudet is very enterprising and some years ago opened up a dance hall up above the store. It- proved a. success and is one of the most popular in town. Mr. Gaudet also owns the Crystal Rink.

Owing to ill health which obliges him to reside ln a warmer climate in the winter time Mr. Gaudet leas- es the rink in the winter months.

Mr. and Mrs. George Bishop now run the ice cream parlours and dance hall, Mr. Gaudct taking care of the commercial side of the ice cream business.

Wellner, jewelers in Charlottetown. I-le came to Summerside in 1879, first located in the Clifton House. In 1890 he moved into the present premises.

George Gcdkln entered into pert- nership with his brother for c. while. Later he entered politics, his picture hangs in the House of As- sembly in Charlottetown. He was later appointed Chief Customs 0f- ficerlat Summerslde.

Benjamin Godkin died in 1915 and George in 1919. The business is now carried on by Henry Godkln, son of the founder. The firm has had 55 years of uninterrupted bus- iness and still enjoys the patron- age of town and country.

Ralph Williams

Mr. Ralph Williams, Electrician, whose advertisement appears in this issue is one o: the young bug- iness men of the town. He is the son of W. F. Williams. printer, and

VHISTORYOFSUMMER SIDE SHIPPING

methods of farming producing quite

a variety of products. which includ- ed butter, cheese, csgl. Dork, beef and potatoes which were exported to the United States and other trade centres by schooners‘. The Oyster industry also figured largely about this time. thousands of bar- rels being exported to» Montreal annually from Richmond Bay and Bedeque Bay.

The wvindjammer seemed to have a place on the high sees. Up to the advent of the Great War but this appeared to be her finish and she was superseded by large un- sightly sharp-bellied tramp steam- ers. These unwieloy vessels tsos away from our youthlthe desire to go forth in quest of adventure and greater knowledge of foreign lands and peoples and the glamour of the water front no longer enticed the youth away from his studies.

Though Summerside received a heavy check on her water borne commerce with the discontinuance of, the Summerslde Point de Chine route and other routes, she is grad- ually recovering lost ground, trade realizing in these days of keen competition that Marine Transpor- tation is much cheaper than others.

The town wharf was built in 1840. The carrying trade between Summerside and the mainland was begun by Captain Simpson of Point de Chine, with a small packet, cal- led the “Dolphinfl making regular trips~with passengers and produce. The first stean-rr to dock at the new town wharf, “Queens Wharf‘ in 1842, was the St. George. Some of the largest ship builders were: J. C. Pope, William Richards, John Lefurgey, Angus Macmillan, John

Ramsay. and John R. Calhoun.

Williams a a...

In the spring of the year 1900. two boys just out of their appren- ticeship of rive years with the Pioneer Pub. Co. of Strmmerside, decided to pool their meagre re- sources snd purchase the job printing business then owned and operated by W. G. Bchurmsn which was located at that time on Central Street where the Capitol Theatre how stands. They entered into a partnership under the name of Wil- liam and Crue and began operat- ing e. General Job printing busin- ess. Through courteous treatment to customers. careful and constant at- tention. their business out-grew the premises and they were forced to seek larger quarters to accommo- dale a reyidiliriiwwuls-blilli- 3° in the summerof mid-dust. prior to the disastrous fire whiclrawept the ‘ ‘ ,.“_ of‘ -Westem Water and Lower Central BL, wip- ing out their former oihce building, they purchased a portion of what was then known as the Mulrheed property. on Water Street-which is their present quarters. v

Their now splendi’ printing equipment includes a- modem Heid- elberg Automatic mesa-which feeds and delivers the sheets of paper automatically, while each of their other presses have individual elec- tric motors.

The Guardian wishes Williams

and Crue continued success. a son-in-law of Thomas Johnson, who hes one of the oldut plumb- ing and electrical businesses of the town.

Mr. Johnson is retiring from business and Mr. Williams hss pur- chased his entire stock of electrical Supplies and other equipment, Mn Williams is well duerving o! the Patronage of the citizens as he is a Summerslde boy. He has been sgvgn years with Mr. Johnson and is a, competent electrician.

As home furnishers for three quarters of a century, supplying the conveniences and comforts that aid to the enjoyment of homo, Hol- mahs have realized that the usual method of paying in one lump sum is not always convenient 40f‘ prac-

Holmank was the opening up of a

tidal and prevents the acquiring

Plronllil-l,

NWILLIAMS & CRUE

General Job Printers

Thirty-five Years of continued aer- vice, an up-to-date Job Printing Plant including ll HEIDELBERG AUTOMATIC PRESS, and‘ all presses individually electrically equipped means superior production and more expeditious delivery of goods. If you require PRINTED MATTER Ofidllfl HIM -- this ll at your dervice, and of Reasonable Prices.

Water Street, Summarside

1935 -—---

OOUNCILIDI r

SUMMERSIDE TOWN COUNCIL

ma. narrow oavnsr Manager Capitol Theatre

Prince Gounty- - 7 Hospital

‘This modern up-lo-date at... lishment is situated in Summerside

and is a standardised Hospital ap- proved unconditionally by the Am-

. ed nd manufactured flax and seed’

1w ere e own = A » a... i?

many manufactured aitiqlu Bumme

business tamling ‘ ‘ti: manufactured and even all the materials for arcogn could“: procured fwm R. . 01mm the furnitln-e man made the wood-~ en cue or casket. ' ~' H. A. Compton had his

i...» ,_. "gactory the corner ‘plotw "the? _ glint. The furniture f ma? 6f. , Dowel! is now thabgglu . » i.

new. The "building has Iarged. » . ~ a i: " A man named Dickenson "inven

separator machines. Ks won, yriip at the Dominion litahibliions l started a '

as. He made and upstream i 1km’ mfibhulcay thfl ‘IYIIQTT An odd farmer hcre and there would have a cultivator or binder; but mostly men would make a neg- ular buslnus of going round cutting the ‘grain for the farmers with a scythe. ‘Thomas Hail moved. short-

ly after the town was in to the present silo of the jfali

erican College of Burgeonsof North America. . ._ l . .

It is rated as a y bed hospital but can accommoda‘ about '15 pat- ients when needed.

Mlss Florence lovers is the Sup- erintendent and has eighteen under bpr supervision. The equipment in the hospital is most modern. A new portable x- Ray has just been added to the already well equipped X-Ray. The Ladies Aid have furnished many things for the hospital, their. latest purchase being an o room complete in every. detaiiihat mod- ern science has devised. iddavpat- ients were treated during the past year. The nurses receive,‘ a three year training course-andymany of the graduates now“ occupy leading positions in different pa of dan- ada and the United ts. The hospital is governed by a Board of Directors of which T. Hol- man has been tho President for some years and it is largely due to his interest that the hospital maintains such a high state of ef- ficiency. .. . .

Going back fnzfllfl early history orf the hospital. the building originally a hotel owned by Wil- liam Glover.

The late Thomas}. Ramsay - dhaecd the - and foun the institution. The original nos- pital was incorporated in i010 and

Highness the-Dore or-oorma t. It has been considerably enlarged since then. The operating room is the acme of convenience and has a wonderful lighting system. which was only recently installed.

In 1028 the home of Mrs. Roi . Summersides first hotel and one of the oldest houses in the town. was purchased for a "Nurses Home."

are very quaint. The house stands in beautiful grounds which give much pleasure to the nurses when off duty.

Bans Book ism Novelty Store

Misslielbformanyyearsinthe oiilce of elinclair and stswm u the latest member of the business frat- ernity of Sunrmerside. Miss Hell has Jugntakeh over the ' Hunter Bock B

hold a vary special place in every Wmmilliiiy. Here the public look for the best current literature, periodi- cals and daily newrpl-Dafs and tin Pmprietor is more than Just a sei-

....... ... z.

oounoruna r. m. uronoason

o

ler of disc, but has ,5]. friendly interest in his eiutomm and can often‘ golds. mom» m" m, choice of good reading matter. _ In an historical‘ sketch of Bum- mersids by Mrs. Ada Ma '