J. T. Smith

J. Thomas Smith
Addie O. Montgomery Smith

Webmaster’s Note: J. T. Smith Company was originally located in a wooden building on North Main Street, where Regions Bank is now located.  John Wiley Strange came to Maysville from Nails Creek as a teenager and began working in Mrs. Smith’s store.  Mrs. Smith’s daughter, Jimmie Williams, from her first marriage to James Williams, married Edward Sanford Comer, son of Wm. Jenkins Comer.  After Mrs. Smith died, the business was renamed Comer & Strange.  The business moved to a brick store building at 8 Homer Street, later occupied by Maysville Fish House. 

1903-0904 JH:  Mr. J. Tom Smith and wife of Maysville have gone to New York, Mr. Smith to buy his fall stock of merchandise, and Mrs. Smith to attend the “Dress Makers Association of the World,” which is in session this week.  At this convention the leading cities of the whole world have on exhibition all the newest dress materials, trimmings, etc.  Also, many of these fabrics are made up in the latest and newest designs, showing what to wear, what it should be trimmed in, and how it should be made.  All of the foreign manufactures of silks, aces, embroideries, etc., will have machines running by electricity, making their line of goods, which will be of great interest to the dry goods trade.  Mr. Smith says that he will have the largest and most select stock of dry goods ever seen in Maysville.  Mr. Smith is a man of splendid taste, a close buyer, and a splendid up-to-date merchant. 

1904-0324 JH:  Smith’s News Letter

This letter should interest you, considering the advance in cotton, and the loud cry from all merchants of advanced prices on everything in proportion.

All style goods, such as Domestic Checks, Tick Percales, Prints, etc., have advanced.  But 50 percent of the Dry Goods sold are fully as cheap as they were last year—and some goods are cheaper.

I have just returned from New York, and in my selection of goods this season, I will show years of experience in buying Dry Goods.  Going to market to buy goods and buying goods after going to market are different things, and I put more stress on BUYING GOODS than GOING TO MARKET.

I have the very newest things shown in piece goods and trimmings.  And a variety of patterns and different weaves to select from.  I do not want you to pay me an advance on anything unless I had to pay more than I did last season; and, on all the goods I purchased for less money this season than last, you shall have them for less money than you bought them last year.  For instance, I have a line of Dress Goods worth 23 cents per yard, (and cheap at this price) while they last you can buy them for 15 cents—not old goods, but entirely new.

I purchased a large lot of Embroideries, Laces, Braids, Allovers, etc., for much less than last year.

My line of 5 and 10 cent goods in this line will be a saving to you of 25 cents on the dollar.

Look elsewhere, get prices, then come to see me.  The styles I will show you and the prices I’ll make will make you my customer.

Respectfully,

J. Tom Smith,

Maysville, Ga.

 1904-0925 JH:  I’ve just returned from the Eastern markets.  The week I spent in New York the World’s Fashion Show was being held there for this season.  I took Mrs. Smith with me, and before buying our goods we took in the Fashion Show, seeing all the new things in Dress Goods and Trimmings, and many costumes made, showing the newest designs of both making and trimming dresses.  It may surprising to you when I tell you most everything you buy from me this fall will be cheaper than last season.  My prices this fall will prove this fact to you.  I have bought more goods than ever before, and the prices I make will move them:

A beautiful line of Brocaded Wood Dress Goods, 42” wide, 40c value for 25c.

12 pieces 36” Wool Dress Goods, at 20c.

52” all wool Ladies Cloth, 60c.

38” Mix Zeboline, 50c.

25 pieces Heneletts, 12c value, at 9c.

Outings from 5c up.

All the new things in Dress Goods and Trimmings.  A big line of Shoes and Clothing.  In fact, the best assorted stock of goods I’ve ever shown you.  We bought all of our Millinery in New York, and have the newest things in this line.  Yours truly,

J. T. SMITH

Maysville, Ga.

1907-0404 JH:  In those good old days gone our fathers and mothers bought goods and paid for them on their merits, but in this day and time fashion and taste has much to do in controlling prices.  I studied both of these facts carefully while making my spring purchases, and while I was sure of selecting the newest fabrics out and the styles and patterns which would be most admired, I was very careful to buy goods which I could sell to my customers with the assurance of giving them full value for their money.  In the Dry Goods business I have never had a trailer, but a leader, and when you see my spring stock this time you will see the best selected line of goods to be found in our town.  I’m not boasting of having more goods than all of Maysville, for I haven’t.  But what I mean in this: I will show you nothing but a line of new goods—not old goods carried over from year to year.  I will show you more new patterns in Laces, Embroideries and Dress Goods; all the novelties in Belts, Neckwear, Combs, Gloves, etc.  I have the exclusive sale of the best Hosiery made at prices I could not offer you if you purchased from a jobber.  While writing this I haven’t a Lady’s Skirt in stock, but by the time you see this in print I’ll have a good assortment opened up—all tailor made of Panamas, Voiles and all the new fabrics out.

Millinery will be one of my strongest lines this spring.  I did not buy all I found in New York, but got the newest things to be had.

I have put in a good line of Clothing this spring, every suit positively having been made since January 1, 1907, at popular prices.  Whether you buy from me or not, I want you to come in and see my line, which I hope to have in my store within the next few days.

I am waiting to see you.

J. T. Smith, Maysville, Ga.

Page last updated 10/29/2011

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