A Dry Goods Business Owner "Needs A Young Man Badly."

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018

A unique collection of Civil War era Dry Goods business proposition letters written between George D. Freeman, an employee at Headly, Richard & Co. of Columbus, Ohio and Dry Goods business owner Gilbert M. Brooke of Madison, Indiana who "needs a young man badly." Freeman's friend Henry C. Darst, an assistant army paymaster stationed at Cincinnati, writes a letter, 2pp. 4to., to him concerning merchant Brooke's quest, and writes on Oct. 2, 1863, in part: "I am now in the pay department here assistant pay master to Major John L. Wilson and in traveling I stopped…in Madison, Indiana with…[Gilbert M.] Brooke who are in the Dry Goods trade…he wants a young man very much…he wanted to know…if I know of anyone he could get to take charge of his store and keep up stock as he has as much as he can to buy the goods…knowing you talked of leaving where you are…I recommended you…he will give you $600 a year for to start…I do not wish to try and coax you away…but you will learn one thing before you die that there are others places besides Columbus, Ohio…write to him immediately and give him your views…there is 4 clerks in the store now and you will become boss of the store…H. C. Darst." The remaining nine (9) letters are all by Brooke to Freeman, totaling approx. 24pp. mostly 8vo., read, in very small part: [10 1/2 Oc. P. M., Madison, Nov. 9, 1863]…we were very busy on saturday last…I offer you for the first year, provided we were mutually satisfied with each other…six hundred dollars and seven hundred dollars for the 2nd year…In propose giving you an interest in the business equal to $1500.00 pr year. This is more than I would offer to any other young man of my acquaintance…you are the very young man needed in our house …our trade continues active sales. Last week was only a few dollars less than three thousand…speaks for itself and in my opinion with your assistance our trade can be increased twenty five per cent and by the time your two years expires this will be one of the best chances any young man could ask. Mrs. Little was in the store…she enquired if I had heard from you…and expressed a desire that you would come…[Dec. 15, 1863]…I am surprised at the news of [Paymaster] Henry [C. Darst] telling our business [Apparently, Brooke is over reacting since Darst introduced the two!] Apparently, …I suppose it was all confidential. I did not dream of his reporting it to anyone…I have never had so much trouble to decide anything in my life as this matter of business between you an I. One thing I do know…is we need a young man badly…there is no one that will suit as well as you…I should be doing wrong to persuade you to give up a certainty for an uncertainty…I have weighed the matter over…time and again…you have a dear mother depending on you…and a good future prospect…prompts me to say remain where you are…I do not know what I am to do for the right kind of a young man. One who can be depended upon…do you know of any-if so please write me immediately. You know just what I want. A young man, a Geo. D. Freeman if there is any to be found. I what some one that fully understands Dress Goods and a "Good Salesman…a young man…by the name of Kirkendall…he is just the kind of a young man to fill the situation. Remember it will be confidential…I should like to secure a young man at a salary of five thousand dollars per annum…and if he makes himself worth more [he] will get it. For example I have…a young man whose salary…was only two hundred & forty dollars per year…he is just the kind of a young man I want for my carpet room…[I] intend giving him extra pay…I believe in paying for merit…[Jan. 2, 1864]…I have succeeded in securing the services of a young man from Springfield, Ohio…he may prove to be just what we need…I sincerely regret that…you were…not be with us for really I never met with a stranger I was so much pleased with and with whom…I could be with…to our mutual benefit…[April 8, 1864]…truly I was pleased to hear from you again…I felt as though you were just the man…it was your interest to remain in Columbus. In had nothing more to say…I then went to work to secure the services of some one else. I secured the services of a first rate young man…at $500.00 per annum. I am really much pleased with him…I have just purchased another stock of Dry Goods. "House and all." One of the best stands in our city…I will need an enterprising, industrious "Honest young man, salary $500.00." Do you know who I can get…G. M. Brooke." Seven (7) of the original stamped transmittal covers are included. Light soiling, else VG. (10 letters, 7 covers)

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