Breda in 1879

BRUENING, FITCH, WADE, RICKE, OLERICH, ESCHELBACHER, KNOBBE, ARTS, MEYER, LOCH, KOENIG, SCHMEICH

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 4/3/2005 at 11:45:05

I translated the following article from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published on 31 October 1879. Any information in brackets or notes at the end is my own explanation. It reads as follows:

Breda is blossoming more and more like a flower. The dealers in various branches of commerce take pride in creating as many businesses as only they can. In case one needs medicine, there is Fitch & Wade, who sell it for the cheapest price, and also keep on hand all kinds of groceries, dry goods, etc.

C. Brüning [Bruening] always keeps on hand the best groceries, dry goods, porcelain, and stoneware, in the largest selection. He will also trade these goods for farm produce, and one need not fear being taken advantage of by him. Ricke & Olerich, like good old hard-money Democrats, also keep hard and heavy goods like nails, stoves, hand tools, wagons, plows, Champion harvest and mowing machinery, fence wire, etc. When one is hungry and thirsty from traveling, or wants to drink a glass of beer or wine in good company, or have a little game, he can go to George Schmeich, or Mr. Eschelbacher, or Mr. Knobbe, who always have good drinks on draught. When one wants to stay a longer time, then Henry Olerich, Sr., the friendly inn-keeper, will make and serve whatever the heart desires. In the lumberyard of C. Brüning [Bruening], one may get lumber of every type. Wm. Arts, C. Knobbe, and Mr. Meyer will always pay the highest prices for grain and will give full weight. If one has holes in his footwear this season, he should not fear going to Mr. Loch, the footwear craftsman, who not only knows how to repair the damaged spots, but also how to make well-fiting, inexpensive, and durable boots and shoes in the latest fashion. From that house over there, one hears the kling klang of the blacksmith shop. Mr. Henry König swings no scepter, but hammers the white-hot iron with Herculean strength, holding the heavy hammer in his callused hands. Performances and fairs can be held in Lammerding’s Hall.