Something for every Newton holiday shopper one century ago

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series by Newton Daily News Contributing Writer Larry Hurto about Christmas in Newton 100 years ago.

If any wartime shortages made it difficult to find what you were looking for, the 1918 Christmas ads of Newton merchants certainly didn’t reflect that.

“Christmas Merchandise In Abundance Has Taken Full Possession” of the Iowa Mercantile Co., “The Christmas Gift Store,” a full-page advertisement in the Dec. 16 edition of the Daily News announced, referring to the many selections offered shoppers at “The Big Store.”

This was the department store which opened in 1899 where Courthouse Mall is now.

“Santa’s Pack can be Abundantly Filled From Our Stocks,” the ad insisted.  The Basement store included among its most recent arrivals many unique pieces of “Woodcraft Pottery; Quaint, Inexpensive.”  “A Macey Bookcase for Christmas Books,” “Pajamas for Gifts,” and “Ribbons for Christmas” were other suggestions.

“The Furniture Department Aisles Contain Many Useful Novelties,” it was pointed out.  Also in the furniture department:  “Shall It Be a Sewing Table?”  “Good Warm, Wooly Christmas Blankets” were counted among the “Christmas needs,. . . certainly a good investment.”  “Handkerchiefs for Every Man and Boy” were to be had there.  Also, “Gloves are Givable.”

Geo. Sells Davis and A. J. Decker & Co. in the Allfree Block were the jewelers in 1918.

Bigelow’s News & Cigar Store sold cigars, pipes, and tobacco.  Earl Bigelow and his wife, Lillian, came to Newton from Kellogg in 1906.

E. J. Miles & Co. sold Ford cars. Other local automobile dealers were Motor Sales Company, Inc.; Overland Sales & Service Co., and Weston & Evans- Charles Weston and Fred M. Evans.

Newton Storage Battery Co.-Roy Coppersmith, opposite Skow’s Foundry, announced an “Xmas Sale of Auto Accessories Commencing Saturday, December 14 and continuing Ten Days.”

“Box Candy for Xmas Gifts, a large assortment to choose from” could be had at Roswell’s, temporarily at 109 1st Ave. W. (Baqara Floral Lounge).  Clyde Roswell commenced business here in 1913.  Candy could also be found at Junis’ Candy Kitchen-Charles Junis, proprietor; W. J. Morgan Mercantile Co., A. M. Hough & Sons, and Neel’s Grocery-S. F. “Frank” Neel.

The Newton Bakery, Robert M. Johnston, proprietor, opened Dec. 18 on the west side of the square just in time for Christmas.  Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were both reported to be experienced bakers. They had intended to open sooner but the war interfered with their being able to obtain ovens.

Lee F. Patterson, Horn Bros., and C. W. Winn, East Side Shoe Store, “Home of Dr. Reed’s Shoes,” were the shoe stores.

“Everything for the table” could be had at the new People’s Cash Grocery & Market, 316 N. 2nd Ave. W.  “If you are not trading here you are missing something,” Guy F. Galusha’s Dec. 13 ad proclaimed.  “We are as NEAR YOU as your phone.  You will appreciate our prices.”

“Government inspected meat, Pure Food Groceries.  We were fortunate in having a large Coffee contract placed BEFORE THE LARGE ADVANCES, and we are giving our trade the advantage of the old LOW prices on HIGH GRADE COFFEES.”

Miss Hazel Kirk, Dan Huff, and Floyd Hard were working there.

W. E. “Will” McMurray, Duer’s Grocery-E. E. Duer, Hough & Sons, Neel’s Grocery, Smith Suburban Grocery, and Vern C. Roberts were other prominent Newton grocers.’A meat market, The Palace-I. N. Harp, the proprietor, advertised “especially nice dressed chickens (New York dressed).”

It was announced that the dry goods stores of the city were to be open evenings and Christmas Eve to accommodate holiday shoppers.  Besides The Big Store, this included the Morris Dry Goods Co.-Harry Morris, the Miller Dry Goods Co.-Robert E. “Bob” Miller, and Ed Bollhoefer.

Hough’s Variety offered shoppers “a great variety” of toys.

Gifts were available at the several drug stores:  C. E. Husband, North Side Square; McBride’s Corner Drug Store; Stouder Drug Co. Rexall Store; and G. H. Nollen South Side Drug Store.  Nollen’s emphasized “Gifts For Writers.”

On Dec. 9, Mrs. J. G. Allison, of Marshalltown, opened The Gift Shop on N. 2nd Ave. E.  According to the announcement story in the paper, “she has on display many pretty articles of fancy work suitable for Christmas gifts.”

S. S. Marshall Hardware offered the following as Christmas presents:  Sleds and skates for the boys and girls.  Pyrex baking ware for the wife.  Roasters and silverware, Carving Sets, Food Choppers, Thermo Bottles, Flash Lights, Aluminum Ware, Canned Heat outfits, etc.

Charles Griebeling, on the north side of the square, was another longtime Newton hardware merchant.  Cox & Sellman South Side Hardware and Sporting Goods Store announced a special sale of guns and ammunition on Christmas Eve — presumably for hunters.

“If in doubt, perplexed by the task of ‘finding something for Christmas,’ come now,” The News Stand encouraged.  “We have cards, seals and snappy new Christmas Novelties arranged for your inspection.”  Bigelow’s had magazines and newspapers.

Men’s clothiers were C. W. Bock; Bond Clothing Co.-Reece Bond; Hanke & Blaylock-Lee G. Hanke and William M. “Bill” Blaylock, and Wormhoudt’s.

An unusual Christmas suggestion came in the form of a term of voice lessons.  It seems that Ross Vernon Miller, teacher of voice, was at the home of Lyle Tyler, Newton photographer, each Tuesday to provide that instruction.