Page 95 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
in France and Germany in devising new forms of guns, and Greener, who
is regarded as authority, states in his "Gunnery," that "some of the great-
est improvements, those which particularly distinguish the most perfect
pieces of the present day, were then first invented, but could not be brought
into successful use." Sixty varieties of Breech-loading guns are to be seen
in the museum at Paris. Fowling pieces seem to have reached in these
days, the acme of perfection. In San Antonio, the most prominent es-
tablishment dealing in arms, ammunition and accessory articles, is that of
Chas. Hummel & Son. This house is not only the pioneer in its line, but
it is, we believe, the pioneer business house now existing in San Antonio,
if not in Texas ; having been founded in 1847, and in continuous exist-
ence ever since, and the wide reputation of the house for the excellence
of its goods and the honorable policy of its management, is coeval with
its establishment. C. Hummel, the founder, .has been engaged practically
in the business since boyhood; having learned the trade in his native land.
Years ago he manufactured guns for the trade in this section, and none
bore a better reputation for workmanship or accuracy. The trade of the
house has for years exerted a controlling influence in Texas, New Mexico
and Mexico, and as the years pass, it gains added value. They carry in
stock, muzzle and breech loading guns, of the most famous, foreign and
domestic makers, ammunition and sporting articles of all kinds, including,
fishing-tackle, gun-material, foreign and domestic pocket cutlery.
Special attention is given to repairing fire-arms of all descriptions, and
there are few establishments in the South possessing the thorough and
varied experience of the members of this firm in all the details and intri-
cacies of gun-making and repairing. Their place of business is commo-
dious and convenient, and thoroughly equipped with the best machinery
and mechanical appliances, and facilities ; the premises are 22 by 50 feet
in size. Four skilled and expert assistants are employed. They carry a
complete and comprehensive stock, averaging $12,000 in value. The an-
nual transactions will reach from $25,000 to $30,000. Chas. Hummel and
his son, Chas. F. A Hummel, who has been educated in the business by
his father, are the members of the firm. Mr. Hummel, senior, has re-
sided in Texas since 1847, in which year, as before stated, he began busi-
ness in a very moderate way, building up his business by honesty, energy,
industry and fair dealing. They enjoy the respect, esteem and confidence
of all classes, and they merit it, as the representative house in their line
in Texas.

C. H: MUELLER—Artists' Material, Picture Frames, Paints, Wall Pa-
per, Etc.; Commerce Street.
Fine art is the means employed by man to adapt existing things in
the natural world to his intellectual tastes, and aesthetics is the science of
the beautiful in nature and in art. In all nations, in proportion to the de-