Page 39 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.

BOOT AND SHOE TRADE.
This business is one known to merchants everywhere as dependent
upon the population of a city, and particularly upon the class of people
inhabiting it. Only a certain number of pairs of shoes can be sold to a
certain number of people within a certain length of time; and, where com-
petition is greatest and prices reduced to the lowest possible figure, some
one must succumb to the inevitable and abide by the "survival of the
fittest." However, much may be accomplished by enterprise in securing
a trade with surrounding country, which must, nevertheless, assume the
wholesale aspect. So the amount of receipts in this branch must largely
depend upon the fashions, and the number of fashionable people in the
community. The retail trade in San Anionio is as select as can be found
in any part of America, and as great a profit realized in proportion to the
population as elsewhere. But the wholesale trade consists to a great de-
gree of a rougher material and cheaper quality, with, probably, only one
marked exception. It is the proclivity of the cowboy, and, though incon-
sistent with the rest of his.attire, is, notwithstanding, a fact. He is not a
true type of his kind if he wears a shoe or any sort of foot gear except a
boot of delicate make, small as the foot will possibly stand, and a heel
which, long and tapering, makes him stand literally on the toes. Their
pride in this matter commands for the dealer a good price, though the
patron is proverbially in the saddle and not as frequent a customer as the
hardy tiller of the soil. The business, wholesale and retail, aggregated, in
1884, $722,000.
LIQUORS.
As in all western cities and towns, San Antonio enjoys a lucrative
trade in this business, particularly the wholesale merchants for on the
ranch the half barrel of liquor is as common as the barrel of flour,
though it is generally doled out in regular allowances. Besides, for miles
in all directions, the smaller towns are supplied by our merchants, who
enjoy a quick route to and from the California distilleries, as well as
special prices to induce their custom in the future. The retail dealer also
realizes handsome profits. It would be useless to explain his traffic more
than to say it flourishes ; and indeed the White Elephant establishment is
one of the most complete and elegant buildings in the south, entirely sup-
ported by retail trade The entire receipts in this line for 1884 were
$570, 000.
FURNISHING GOODS AND HATS.
In every community where business flourishes, this branch is of a
more than ordinary importance. We all know that the drummer infests
the western country, and that his greatest desire is to be amicable and
polite to everybody, and takes particular care of his personal appearance.
This gives extra patronage beyond the communitie's demand. No where
is it more evident than in San Antonio, for every large business house in