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Mr J Garner, Draper, Milliner, Gents’ Outfitting, Floorcloth, and Carpet Warehouse, Olney

“Time was, when clothing sumptuous or for use
Save their own painted skins, our sires had none”.

We live in an age far removed from the time above mentioned - a time when a piece of cloth and a tomahawk constituted the wardrobe of a hardy British chief, and a paint brush his sole toilet requisite, and the river Ouse his mirror.

Mr Jos Garner

Centuries have rolled on, and each has seen something added in the shape of wearing apparel, or some great alteration made in its style. The shop windows in Olney demonstrate to what extent this development has been carried and those of Mr Garner are a thorough exemplification of our remarks and a never-ending attraction. They are dressed with samples of all kinds of goods belonging to this comprehensive business, viz. drapery, millinery, outfitting, linoleums, carpets, etc, in great variety.

Miniature of Lady Austin

This old established business has been rendered famous by its association with Cowper which dates from July 1781, when one day as the Poet was looking out of his window at the house which is now the Cowper Museum he saw two ladies enter this shop, one of whom he recognised as Mrs Jones, wife of the curate of Clifton Reynes. Being struck with the appearance of the stranger he enquired her name, and learned that she was Lady Austen, Mrs Jones’s sister. An introduction followed and, shortly after, at Lady Austen’s suggestion, Cowper composed “The Task”.

In 1791 we get another peep with Cowper’s eyes at this shop, and hereby hangs one of the interesting passages in Cowper’s correspondence. The shop at that time belonged to a Mr Palmer. Writing to Lady Hesketh, on the 26th June, 1791, Cowper says: “I have hardly left myself room to tell you a story which yet I must tell but as briefly as possible. While I reposed myself yesterday evening in the shop of Mr Palmer, lying at my length on the counter, a man came in who wanted a hat for his boy, and having bought one at two shillings said he must have a handkerchief for himself, a silk one, to wear about his neck on Sundays. After much bargaining he suited himself with one at last for four shillings and sixpence. I liked the man’s look, and having just one shilling in my purse I held it up to him, saying: “Here, honest friend, here’s something towards paying for your purchase”. He took the shilling and looked at me steadfastly for a long time saying nothing. At last his surprise burst forth in the words - “I never saw such a gentleman in my life. If I had known you had been so stout (generous) I would have had a better”. Mr Andrews (probably Mr Palmer’s partner) told him that the cutting off made no difference to him, and he might have a better if he pleased. So he took one at the price of five shillings and went away, all astonishment at my great bounty. I have

The largest fronted shop in Olney

learned since that he is a very worthy, industrious fellow and has a mother between seventy and eighty who walks every Sunday eight miles to hearing (chapel), as they call it, and back again. This is another instance that my skill in physiognomy never deceives me”.

This story is creditable not only to Cowper and the customer but also to the draper. Like the draper in Cowper’s day, Mr J Garner does everything to oblige and in this branch gives great satisfaction for the prompt and efficient way in which he furnishes and carries out funerals. A moderate scale of charges has been arranged, and all the good features introduced under the name of 'funeral reform' are combined with the respect and decorum befitting the occasion.

Mr G H Lineham, Grocer, &c., High Street, Olney

MR Lineham is a well-known personage in and about Olney in the warmer months of the year, for then he is always to be found where ever you may be with his ice cream cart and refrigerator. In this particular line he makes a feature in giving the very best quality and quantity for the small charges he makes. His shop in the High Street is more of a general stores where nearly everything can be obtained in the way of grocery, provisions, fruit and sundry articles used in the everyday domestic life.

Mr F J Johnson, Window Cleaner, Dartmouth Rd, Olney

MR Johnson in the spare time between his postal duties devotes his attention principally to window cleaning. This is a great boon to many as it is rather a difficult and awkward job for members of some households to undertake. Not so with Mr Johnson. He neither minds how large nor how high the windows are situated so long as he has the privilege to clean them. His utmost aim is to do his work well and to keep his charges low. He also carries on a grocery and sweet shop. The latter seems the favourite rendezvous for the north end of the town.

Mr A Timperley, Grocer, Provision, Wine and Spirit Merchant, Olney

THIS is an old family trade establishment which has always maintained a good reputation for the quality of all articles offered for sale. For many years it was carried on successfully by the late Mr Eyles, who upon his retirement from the business world, handed it over to Mr Timperley, who had been his principal representative for several years, and who has maintained the high character of the house. The provisions, grocery, in fact everything, bear the stamp of a house that has a good connection. Mr Timperley is the agent for Messrs Gilbey’s wines and spirits besides which a large stock is always on hand of spirits, and British and foreign wines. A good selection of the better-class china and glass is stocked, really this is the original business premises for such wares in Olney.

Mr W Johnson, Family Butcher, Lavendon

ANOTHER familiar butcher’s cart in and around Olney is that of Mr Johnson, of Lavendon, who solicits orders on Thursdays, and delivers on Fridays and Saturdays. Those who have not favoured him with an order and who wish for a change cannot do better than give him a trial. Years gone by he used to kill with Mr Arthur Osborn, and that alone is a splendid recommendation. He kills the primest quality and will cut to an ounce to oblige his customers, and that is a lot as butchers generally err on the side of weight to their own advantage. Mr Johnson can supply meat, which has been hung, in excellent condition, undoubtedly through his lofty and spacious slaughter-house which is one of the largest for miles around. This also testifies to the good arrangements of his premises. A post card addressed to him will command attention, and periodical calls can thus easily be arranged.

Mr John King, Tobacconist and Toy Shop, High Street, Olney

MR John King can claim to have the toyshop of the town pure and simple. It is a compact business place and is literally packed with toys of all sorts, sweets, tobaccos, cigarettes, papers, etc etc. The business was commenced by Mr King’s mother several years ago in a very small way in one of the old cottages that were demolished in front of the Cowper Memorial Church, from there she removed to the house adjoining the ‘Duke William’ inn where her business increased. After staying there some time she moved to her well-appointed shop and thus took the premier position of toy and fancy shops in the town. In addition to the above Mr King is agent for Messrs Yarde’s seeds, plants, trees, etc., the well-known seedsmen and florists of Northampton, for whom he receives a share of the public patronage.

Messrs J. Pater & Co. Coal, Coke, Cake and Salt Merchants, Olney

MESSRS J Pater & Co. have carried on business here for many years. They enjoy a large circle of patronage and their carts may be seen for miles around delivering the various commodities they are noted for, viz, coal, coke, salt, and cake of various kinds. Not only do they transact business in the above, but also cater largely for the agricultural trade in letting out on hire several very powerful engines for ploughing, and the different processes of breaking up the land, thrashing machines, etc. Messrs. Pater are as anxious to oblige their small customers with their hundredweight of coal as their larger ones, and do everything in their power to give satisfaction both as regards the lowest market price and goods of undoubted quality.

Mr S W Ennals, ‘The Drapery’, High Street, Olney

THIS much modernised shop is quite a transformation scene from the old-world appearance it gave prior to Mr Ennals’s advent in Olney. It is the shop carried on for so many years b y the late Mr Thomas Bass, a very old fashioned draper, who only stocked heavy ware and clothing. In place of the small panes there are two good plate glass windows, and the shop being extensive, lends to the opportunity of making a good display.

One of the distinctive features of ‘The Drapery’ is the window dressing - the arrangement of the various articles, and the judicious grouping of colours investing the windows with a charm, that intuitively attracts the pedestrian to an examination of the goods displayed. Mr Ennals has a good selection of china with the Arms of Olney, which we are pleased to call attention to, as the Coat of Arms thereon is quite correct, and as there are so many incorrect, this makes a special feature to connoisseurs in ‘Arm Ware’. The price for this china is 6½d for each of the twenty-five various patterns. Mr Ennals, like his colleagues in the town, caters for funerals.

Miss F G Paggett, Milliner, Soho House, Olney

AS an instance of what can be accomplished by energy and determination, one may cite the success which has attended Miss Paggett in the establishment of her business, which has now been in existence some few years, and has secured a wide reputation as a desirable centre for supplying millinery, etc. Some very pretty models of hats and bonnets are noticeable, reflecting great credit on the nimble fingers of those who worked out the dainty designs at Soho House. Hats and bonnets for ladies and children of all ages can be quickly made to order, shapes of all conceivable curves and twists being in stock as foundations upon which to work. Miss Paggett enjoys the support of some of the best families in and around Olney, for it has been her study to come well to the front with new fashions.

Mr C Osborn, Butcher, Olney

THE business premises of
Mr Charles Osborn have been connected with the butchery trade beyond the memory of any of the oldest inhabitants. At one time it was the principal and best patronised meat purveyor's shop of the town, but since that time it has changed hands until it almost dwindled away. Since Mr Charles Osborn came into possession it has gradually worked up.

Mr. F. Jones, The Cock Inn, Olney

‘Deep in the abyss of Silver End’ - Cowper

IF William Cowper were to take upon himself the mortal coil, and be transplanted near the ‘Cock’ Inn, a place in its old guise he would well remember, he would not recognise his whereabouts, as he would find everything altered, even his own domicile. The greatest alteration, however, has taken place in the ‘Cock’ Inn. This has been entirely rebuilt according to modern ideas and requirements and is thus the most modernised inn in the town, under the capable proprietorship of Mr. F. Jones, who is always ready to welcome his regular patrons and is most anxious to make the acquaintance of new customers, who may rest assured of the best attention. My readers cannot do better than study his advertisement.

Mr H Field, Butcher, Olney

THESE premises used to be the well-known ironmongery shop of the late Mr. Isaac Barber but now converted into a butcher’s shop for Mr H Field, where he carries on a family trade in and around the town.

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