Page 78 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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SAN ANTONIO-HER TRADE,
trade, possessing the most complete establishment in Texas; it is, in fact,
the Tiffany of Texas. Having been raised in the business, he thorughly
understands it, and his practical knowledge of his profession is giving him
a wide reputation. His standing and relation with the trade are such as
to enable him to offer special advantages to buyers, particularly in the
manufacture of watches and the setting of diamonds. With his already
widely extended business, Mr. Rouvant has reason to count upon fully as
gratifying a future. He is a public spirited citizen, and an energetic and
thoroughly reliable business man, possessing the entire confidence and re-
spect of the community in which he resides. The various departments of
his establishment are well supplied with the most desirable articles re-
quired by the trade and public, and it has ever been his aim to treat his
customers in such a manner as to retain their confidence and respect.

COLTON & BOLTON—Auctioneers, Land Agents and Commission Mer-
chants; 2, 4 and 6 West Houston Street.
Auction (from the Latin word auctio, increasing), so far as is known,
originated in Rome. It was at first held for the sale of military spoils
among the soldiers, behind a spear stuck in the ground, whence it was
called "sale under the spear." This signal was used for a long time, and
the name was retained, even after the signal had been superseded by the
red flag. In England, 'sales "by the inch of candle," derived their name
from the practice of limiting the time within which bidding could be made
by a candle--the moment the inch burned out the last bidder became the
purchaser. In modern times, sales at auction are as common as private
sales, and are directed in most cases by law, being considered more open
and less liable to dishonest collusion. The red flag and bell are the ordi-
nary signals; and the auctioneer with. his boisterous "going, going, gone!"
and his earnest appeals to the bidders, are usual sounds in American cities.
It seems to have increased in popularity in this age of progress, being
deemed the'readiest way of disposing of goods or property, and of obtain-
ing a fair proportion of buyers, thus frequently avoiding costly sacrifices.
Like every other special branch of business, peculiar characteristics are re-
quired to conduct it successfully; celerity, acute perception, a general
knowledge of the different branches of trade and goods pertaining to
them, and a large share of patient endurance, and, above all, honesty in
purpose and candor and sincerity in representation. This has become, in
all metropolitan cities, not only a popular,but a necessary form of business
as well; and from its nature, auctioneers have generally connected the
commission business with it, an almost necessary adjunct. They receive
goods on consignment and auction them off, receiving a commission of
percentage for their services. There are several firms engaged in this
business in San Antonio, the most prominent of which is that of Colton
& Bolton, west Houston street, next to bridge. This business was estab-
lished in 1882, by Dan J. Colton, who conducted it successfully until 1884,