McClure & Graham
Source: Crawfordsville Review 13 April 1895 p 8
Our city’s business prosperity enterprise and commercial solidity are fairly indicated in the metropolitan character of some of her business houses. Ranking among the best and soundest establishment in the city is McClure & Graham’s Trade Palace. This firm has since the first occupied a leading position in commercial circles, this popularity being due to the completeness of their stock and the well known reputation for fair dealing of the proprietors. Since remodeling their store rooms, Messrs McCluer (sic) & Graham have one of the finest stores in the state and as large and complete a stock ad can be found anywhere. The Rview’s representative was kindly shown through the store by Mr. Graham and was surprised at the completeness of the establishment. On the right as you enter the store is displayed a magnificent stock of silks, dress goods, trimmings, etc. running the full length of the store. On the left at the front is the merchant tailoring department and back of that the cassimere, etc. Running the full length on both sides of the center is the notion department with a complete stock of handkerchiefs laces, gloves, etc. The millinery department occupies a large 25 x 40’ gallery directly over the front of the main floor and reached by a broad stairway from the left between the tailoring and cassimere departments. The display of millinery is beautiful. To the rear of the main store is the lace curtian department and the cloak department. Here are displayed the latest in spring cloaks and wraps. The carpet department occupies the room just south of the main store room with which it is connected by arched doorways. This room is finished in hard wood and here is shown the most complete line of carpets, rugs, etc in the city from the richest Brussels and Moquette to the cheaper Ingrains. The large assortment of rugs deserves special mention as well as the stock of portiers. Immediately in the rear of this dept are found the newest and best designs in wall papers. Altogether the establishment has a floor space of 12,920’ and is undoubtedly the largest store of the kind in the city.
Source: Crawfordsville Review 11 April 1857 p2
Among all of our enterprising merchants in the county of Montgomery, there are none who have exhibited a greater energy in the prosecution of business than these gentlemen. Some 8 years ago they started with but a limited capital in the merchandise business and every year from that period has marked their success with a rapidly growing trade and today they stand the representatives of one of the largest and most opulent business houses in the Wabash Valley. And what has produced these grand results in the history of these yet young men? We will tell you. An energy that spurned all obstacles and that knew “no such word as fail.” A strict integrity and honest dealing with the public, and a judicious and liberal patronage of the press, that “arch enchanger’s wand,” that when managed skillfully lays the foundations of fortunes that surpass the wildest dreams of the Alcymists. Venice and Tyre in their palmy days had their merchant princes, the sails of whose vessels whitened the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. There is a moral grandeur in the career of an honest and successful merchant and tradesmen. With his capital and energy, he pursues the leviathan upon the deep and collects the products and fabrics of all countries and makes our cities, towns and hamlets busy with the hum of active trade, the “calm health of nations.” Industry, perseverance and high moral worth are always sure of their reward and the efforts of the Grahams to build up a large and lucrative trade by a close observance of these cardinal virtues has been brilliantly exemplified. Notwithstanding the monetary stringency which is so keenly felt by our citizens, these gentlemen have purchased a monster stock of satins and summer goods. The stock compises a magnificent assortment of ready-made clothing, staple goods of every variety and quality. In the line of fancy goods they are unsurpassed and we recommend the ladies to visit this establishment and examine the beautiful fabrics, fresh from the Parisian manufacturers.