Leadville was an important stop on the Shoenberg family’s transit of the developing American frontier. Apparently arriving in 1878 (the family must have immigrated between Moses' birth in Germany in 1847 and Joseph’s in Ohio in 1854), the Shoenbergs were quickly active in business, public, social, and charitable affairs. They flourished generally as clothiers after early enterprises in the theater and sawmills, but they had decamped by 1889 for the greater opportunities of bigger cities. The clan increased in Leadville through marriage and grandchildren, although the record of this is incomplete.

Below follow mostly verbatim notes generated by the various archives available in Leadville, most particularly the remarkable assemblage to be found in the two tomes of Griswald and Griswald, History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado. Their large contribution is “nested” within information derived from city directories and the 1880 and 1885 census reports.

1879

Joe, (Cheap Joe) clothier & gents’ furnishing goods, 32 E Chestnut

Lee, prop’r Leadville sawmills, boards Grand Hotel (E Chest)

Lew, the boss clothier, 30 E Chestnut

Moses, (L. Braham & Co) 14 E Chestnut

 

1) February 6: Firemen’s Frolic at Shoenberg Opera House on Chestnut (2 floors), near NW corner of Pine.

2) February 13: After the repast, The Tabor Hose Company crossed the street, went westward and up a flight of stairs to attend opening night at the Shoenberg Opera House, 205 Chestnut Street. There the first nighters enjoyed two plays, the Honeymoon and the Rough Diamond, as presented by the N. C. Forrester Dramatic Company.

3) March 18: The first ball of the Knights of Robert Emmet was given last night at the Leadville Opera House [Shoenberg’s].

4) March 25: A series of citizen meetings, usually held in the Shoenberg Opera House, quickly followed and seven different tickets with the same number of candidates for mayor were offered Leadville voters.

5) July: The Shoenberg Opera House at 205 West Chestnut was leased by the county commissioners to serve as the courthouse.

 

 

6) September: In the same issue of the Chronicle which told about the Ladies’ Relief Society’s Martha Washington Tea, another article disclosed the large number of Jewish families living in Leadville. While the men were leaders in the movements for finding a suitable place where all could worship together and for securing a piece of ground for burial purposes, such women as Mrs. Jacob Schloss, Mrs. Joseph Samuels and Mrs. Moses Shoenberger were helpful in arranging for the mid-September religious observance, the newspaper carrying this account:

 

...last night nearly all places of business in this city belonging to Jews were closed, and they are all closed today. This is the Jewish new year, the same as the first day of January begins the Christian new year. The Jews believe that God finished the world five thousand six hundred and forty years ago today, and consequently this to them is the year 5640. Immediately after closing their stores and shops yesterday evening they assembled in the [Shoenberg] Opera House on Chestnut street, and held religious services appropriate to the going out of the old year. At nine o’clock this morning they reassembled in the same place. The hall was filled with as well dressed and as intelligent appearing assemblage as has ever been witnessed in Leadville. Many of our leading merchants with their families were there. On all being seated one of the brethren wearing a white cloth over his shoulders approached the stage and began to read from a book printed in Hebrew. The reading was a sort of chant, something after the style of the Episcopal or Catholic Christians, and every little while the large assemblage would arise and join in the chant.

Each person was provided with a book. A member told the reporter that it was the book of the new year and was only used on these new year occasions. The services were the same here in the Opera House today as they were in the Jerusalem temples five thousand years ago, only of course not so imposing. It was according to the orthodox faith in which the reformed wing joined. The white cloths or shawls which some of the congregation wore, were in imitation of the apparel worn by the Israelites when they were driven out from Egypt. These cloths are worn by the orthodox Jews on all religious occasions. They even wear them to their graves. The chanting corresponded to the Christian prayers for a prosperous new year, and thanks to God for the blessings of the year just passed into oblivion forever. All things considered, the Jews and the Christians are alike in their new year observances, with the exception that after prayers the Christians make calls, customary on such occasions. The Jews, after their prayers in their synagogues, go quietly to their homes and do nothing but read their Bibles and pray till the great anniversary is over.

 

7) October: Members of the Harrison Hooks and Ladder, with their many friends and ladies, made the old Chestnut street Opera House [Shoenberg’s] look pretty last night. It was there they gave their first cold weather reception. Nice time.

8) October 21: The second grand ball of the Knights of Robert Emmett was held at the Shoenberg Opera House and was attended by Mr. Lew Shoenberg and Miss Shoenberg, Mr. Oscar Zwilling and Miss J. Shoenberg.

9) October 22: Founding meeting of B’nai B’rith.

 

On motion of Mr. Lee Shoenberg, committee was appointed on reception, and the chair named Messrs. Lee Shoenberg, Robert Lamm, S. L. Golding, Louis Jacobs and M. J. Levy...

 

10) November: The council meeting was scheduled to be held in Shoenberg’s Opera House.

11) November 9: Lee Shoenberg chairs reception committee at inaugural banquet of B’nai B’rith. Also in attendance were Lee’s “lady”, Joseph, Samuel and wife (Carrie), Miss Jennie with Louis Jacobs, Louis and Miss Hattie, and Miss Addie with Oscar Zwilling.

12) December: May & Dean was being dissolved and May was joining with Moses Shoenberg in establishing a larger wholesale and retail clothing business at 108-110 Harrison Avenue.

1880

 

Samuel, 50, Germany, cigars & tobacco, 112.5 W Chestnut, r 409 Pine.

 

Carey, 50, wife, Germany, r 409 Pine.

 

Moses, 33, Germany/Prussia, (May & Shoenberg (108 & 110 Harrison)), r rear 204 W 4.

 

Mrs. Moses, not in census.

 

Joseph E., 26, Ohio, clothing and men’s furnishing goods, 116 W Chestnut, r 116 W Chestnut.

 

Lee, 22, Illinois, manager Lew. Shoenberg, r 120 W Chestnut, brother to Louis.

 

Adeline, 22, daughter, Missouri (Illinois-1885), r 409 Pine.

 

Hattie, 19, daughter, Illinois, r 409 Pine.

 

Rosa, 18, (23 in 1885 Census) married to David May.

 

Jennie, 17, daughter, Illinois, r 409 Pine.

 

Louis, (Elias?), 16, Illinois, clothing, r 120 W Chestnut.

 

Alex, 15, son, Illinois, clerk for Lew. Shoenberg, r 409 Pine.

 

Mrs. Louis Braham, sister.

1) From the Leadville Chronicle, January 3, 1880:

 

A CHAT WITH “CHEAP JOE”

———

Leadville’s Clothing Prince-Something of His Former History

———

To be a Shoenberg in Leadville is to be a clothier and a man whom the whole community respects. The Shoenbergs, who are in that trade in Leadville, are numerous...[Earlier in the year a reporter had quipped “If any more Shoenbergs come to town THE CHRONICLE will have to enlarge again.”]

 

Joe--or “Cheap Joe,” as he is called--everybody knows, or thinks they know, all about him. They have seen him, talked with him, bought goods at his store [16 West Chestnut Street] and are prepared to swear by him.

 

There is something, however, they don’t know that THE CHRONICLE reviewer found out a few days ago, and that is that “Cheap Joe” was born a clothier. A chat with him the other day revealed a portion of his early history, which will be of interest to the reader. His parents, who were well-to-do in the world, sent him to school at an early age, and they were very proud of his attainments. Joe had one habit, however, which his parents objected to--he would trade or sell his coat or vest with any boy who had a spark of speculation about him. Before he was twelve years old he had laid his plans to become a clothing merchant, and at the age of sixteen his kind father furnished him with a small stock of goods, then the young clothier went to Muncie, Indiana, and opened a clothing store. He remained in Muncie two years, but being ambitious to enter a larger field of trade, he went to Logansport, Indiana, and opened a business there.

 

His efforts in Logansport were crowned with success and after the second year, being then about twenty years of age, wanted to become a merchant prince at once and started for Philadelphia, where he opened up in business and continued for one year, when he went to Joplin, Missouri. This was in the year 1875, when the Joplin lead mines were at high tide and business flourished like a green bay tree. Two years in Joplin fixed Joe for a large and prosperous business in Leadville, and he came to this city two years ago, bought a business, built the store that he now occupies, and by courteous treatment and fair dealing with his customers, he has built up his present large trade.

The popularity of the house, as shown by an increase of trade, has grown steadily from its opening. Today he carries a stock of $100,000, and is doing a business at the rate of $150,000 per year...

 

...[His main place of business] is 25x140 feet, with the wholesale house in the rear. “Cheap Joe” has had several branch stores in this city and other places, but at present the only one we are advised of is on Harrison avenue. This is a proud record for the young clothing prince, and we would add nothing to it, save that he is a liberal friend of the newspapers, and believes if you have something to sell you should tell people about it, and that is why you sometimes see the name of “Cheap Joe” in THE CHRONICLE, and in various other advertising devices that keep his name before the public.

 

GRAND OPENING OF THE GREAT WESTERN AUCTION AND COMMISSION HOUSE

———

The closing of the House of Holcomb, May & Dean at 25 and 27 [108–110] Harrison avenue was but the occasion for the opening of a large business enterprise in which two of our most popular and enterprising young merchants open with a mammoth stock of goods a store which will possess many new and attractive features. Messrs. David May and Moses Shoenberg have formed a partnership under the firm name of May & Shoenberg, in the beautiful double front store, which will be conducted as an

 

AUCTION AND COMMISSION

house on one side and with a well conducted retail department on the other. Such a novel arrangement can but prove a successful venture, and the well-known reputation of these gentlemen for enterprise and fair dealing will add much to the popularity of the undertaking. They are now receiving their goods in case lots, purchased at a time of the year when manufacturers discount their regular sales, to close up their business—a point that these gentlemen well understand; and they are prepared to offer this immense stock at unheard of low prices. We saw unloaded upon the sidewalk, bales of California goods, so popular throughout the West, and by inquiry ascertained that they would carry all the best grades of goods as much so as if the auction feature of the house was omitted. The house has recently been refitted and with a fresh new stock, presents the most attractive appearance. There will be six competent salesmen in the

RETAIL DEPARTMENT,

and three daily sales morning, afternoon and evening on the auction side of the house. The enterprise is a grand one and must win in public favor. The gentlemen enter this new field with many advantages. Mr. May owning the building has no rents to pay and he has had that experience which should be a guarantee of success. He was for fifteen years a prominent merchant in Hartford City, and did a business in general merchandise of $150,000 per year, and for over one year was connected with the late firm of Holcomb, May & Dean.

 

Mr. M. Shoenberg has had an equally valuable experience, and comes into the firm with a good record as a merchant. He but recently closed out his interest in the clothing business on West Chestnut street [at 120, where Lew, Lee and Alex Shoenberg were in business], and quite recently sold out his lumber business.

 

Mr. Shoenberg’s experience as a merchant began at the age of eighteen, when he opened a clothing store at Springfield, Ohio, where for six years he did a large and prosperous business. From there he went to Joplin, and after a year and a half in that thriving mining town came to Leadville, eighteen months ago, and has been prominently identified with the business of Leadville ever since. Messrs. May & Shoenberg make a good team and will do well together. They are both young, yet ripe in business experience, and have the respect and confidence of the community. THE CHRONICLE gives them a happy New Year greeting and wishes them abundant success.

J. V. Holcomb, instead of going into a business of his own as T. B. Dean had done, remained with his former partner May and held the position of head bookkeeper in the firm of May & Shoenberg.

 

2) January: Lake County purchases the Shoenberg Opera House (from Frey & Shoenberg) for use as the Court House for $6,875. The Courts remain there until March, 1881.

 

3) March: Mr. J. E. Shoenberg exhibits clothing and makes quick sales with solitaire studs on his bosom and diamond rings on his fingers at his store. (From a Chronicle report on affluence in Leadville.)

 

4) March: Other business men such as Clothiers David May, Moses Shoenberg, J. E. Shoenberg and Meyer Harris, together with Henry N. Webb, hardware, building and queensware merchant, and F. L. Chase, shoe and boot dealer, joined the campaign to make Leadville a broad-gauge supply city.

 

5) David May and Moses Shoenberg were looking to the future as shown in this May 21 account:

 

One of the chief events in matters of trade which will cause every friend of Leadville to lift his hat in respect to the enterprise in the opening of the Boston Square Dealing One Price Clothing Rooms, which takes place at exactly seven o’clock this evening.

The proprietors, Messrs. May & Shoenberg, are well known to our community for their enterprise and spirit and they come into no new field when they place themselves at the very head of the clothing business, in Leadville. Their opening some months ago of the GREAT WESTERN Auction and Commission House although a success was not entirely suited to their tastes, and they concluded to entirely unload their stock and put in an entirely new stock of select clothing with a view of meeting the demand of first-class trade.

 

To do this effectually, they opened up a branch house in Gunnison City and placed it in charge of Mr. S. Seligsberg formerly connected with the Leadville house. The Leadville building, to meet the demands of a strictly first-class trade, required to be remodeled, and at a great expense they have put in a

 

SOLID GLASS FRONT

set in columns that represent beautiful Egyptian and Tennessee marbles, with alcove entrances giving a most charming effect to the street display. This magnificent display is what attracted a CHRONICLE reporter this morning to enter these spacious rooms which we found even more surprising for the whole interior had been remodeled and set off into departments in which the finest goods that could be purchased in the Eastern market were arranged in the most perfect order. On the left was a line of shelving divided into departments as follows: collars and cuffs, silk and Balbriggan hose, domestic hosiery, and California underwear.

Along the aisle run a line of counters, mounted with elegant show cases, in which were found choice furnishing goods and neckwear...

 

Among the other departments described in the article were:

 

...A neat show case has filled a niche at the head of the south aisle, in which are ample fancy shirts, including night shirts elaborate in design and beautifully made that would wrap a man in a most enchanting garb for repose that it is possible to devise.

At the end of the show case and at the head of the main southern aisle stands a full length mirror with marble mounted base. The fancy and white shirt department takes the head of the line in the south side, followed by a very extensive assortment of

 

HATS AND CAPS

from medium to the very best grades. The pant department shows some very excellent grades of imported English and French cloths and made up in the most approved styles. Following this is the Departments of

 

BOY’S SUITS

that occupy considerable space at the extreme of the aisle...

...The gentlemen’s

 

DRESSING GOWNS

deserve special mention, being made up of the finest imported wool fabrics, the lapels and cuffs covered with rich silk or satin fasteners with a silk cord and loop at the waist. There are a large variety of styles and colors in these goods...

SPRING OVERCOATS

have received great attention in the purchases of Messrs. May & Shoenberg, and fresh new styles made from the best of English and French cloths are shown in unapproachable variety, both as to style and quality.

They have all grades of

 

BUSINESS SUITS,

and show everything from the favorite cutaway coat to the English style of sacque, or half frock, while their

 

DRESS SUITS

have everything that it is possible in style and character of material to recommend them.

A large portion of these goods are from the celebrated clothing manufactories of Hemmerslough Brothers & Carhart, Whitefield & Co., New York, which are said to be equal to the best merchant tailor work.

As indicated by the name of the house, “The Boston Square Dealing One Price Clothing Rooms” will positively have but

 

ONE PRICE

for all, and a child can purchase at this establishment with the same facility as an experienced man. We know of no one better calculated to carry out this plan strictly than Messrs. May & Shoenberg, who have the confidence of the entire community as reliable and trust worthy business men.

 

The opening of an extensive business house of this kind is a matter that will command the marked attention of our citizens, and the opening tonight will be one of the most brilliant ever witnessed in Leadville, and we doubt not will be attended by a large number of our best citizens.

6) May(?): May & Shoenberg open a branch store in Gunnison City

 

7) June 10: Regarding labor unrest:

 

Messrs. May & Shoenberg, wholesale and retail clothiers, who were interviewed report no change in their trade from the effects of the strike, though they believe that if the mines were all being worked, business would be better.

 

and:

 

J. E. Shoenberg, “Cheap Joe,” dealer in clothing, reports that he will run at least $4,000 below average this month. The regular city trade remains unchanged.

 

8) While Daniels, Fisher & Company, Owen & Chittenden, T. B. Dean and Frankle & Butler’s Palace of Fashion all advertised fall styles for women and children, David May and Moses Shoenberg publicized their fall showing of men’s styles in this manner:

 

Just at the very time when mankind have tired of their summer clothes and dressy people are on the qui vive for something new and desirable to wear during the coming fall and winter months-Messrs. May and Shoenberg will open tonight at 108 and 110 Harrison avenue, one of the largest and most select purchases of clothing and gents’ furnishing goods yet brought to Leadville.

Mr. Shoenberg, who has had eight years’ experience in purchasing in the Eastern markets and being perfectly familiar with the requirements of our people for first-class goods, has spent two months in Eastern cities in selecting this beautiful stock, and it is with special pride that the firm announces its opening. Their mammoth double-store with its five lines of counters was not sufficient to accommodate their goods and in addition to their large storeroom to the rear, they have opened rooms above, which will be devoted exclusively to gents’ overcoats. Here you find over 700 overcoats in 65 different styles, embracing everything from fine beaver clothes to a miner’s ulster. In reversible overcoats, suitable for fall and winter wear, they have a great variety, and the styles of fabric and make are new and attractive.

Their elegant line of dress suits has been purchased with special care to meet every demand at a season of the year when dress suits are most worn. In this department you find all grades of worsteds, among which are some very fine French suits. The coat cut in the Prince Albert style is very dressy. Indeed, since broadcloth has ceased to be worn, the best grades of French worsteds have become the standard of dress suits.

 

Business suits are shown in a great variety of styles and quality, and will not fail to please all tastes. The demands of businessmen in matters of dress are generally conservative, and a greater change is made in the style of the goods than in the make-up of the business suits, all of which will be very acceptable to that class of wearers. The house will continue to enjoy a distinction for its splendid assortment of Gents’ furnishing goods, and the man that will recall the cheap inferior grades that he was obliged to wear ten to fifteen years ago, will, upon examining the splendid stock of May & Shoenberg, thank the thoughtful and skillful manufacturer who wrought such marvels of comfort and elegance for our wear... Unique dressing gowns, silk and woven underwear, neckties, scarfs, silk suspenders, night gowns, model linen shirts, rich silk pocket handkerchiefs, large line of woolen shirts, hosiery in every weight and quality, all these go to make up those mysterious and delightful appliances known as gents’ furnishing goods, which this house keeps in magnificent profusion.

Miners’ goods have received special attention in their late purchases, and a fine line of California Mission goods is put in stock at a remarkably low price, together with a good assortment of blankets, comforts, etc. It was the purpose of the firm in this season’s purchases to outdo all former efforts and meet every demand of this market, and to do this effectively and supply every novelty in ready made goods, some of the leading manufacturing establishments in the East were employed to make up certain lines expressly for this house. The house of May & Shoenberg, in making special efforts this season, have indicated their firm purpose to take the lead in the clothing trade of this city, and their many friends wish them success. No . . . [clothiers] in the state are more liberal advertisers and they work upon the theory that when they have anything to sell they will let the public know it by the most decided methods. They have not only earned a well merited success here, but have establishments at Kokomo and Ruby City, where they are also doing a thriving business...

 

Because of such an excellent and wide selection to chose from David May must have been handsomely dressed at his wedding to Rosa Shoenberg at two o’clock in the afternoon of September 20. The ceremony, as recorded in the Chronicle, was performed in the home of the bride’s brother, with only relatives and intimate friends present. After describing the bride’s gown of “dregs-of-wine silk with diamond ornaments and velvet trimmings,” a newsman told of the festive board:

 

 

The table was a treat to look upon, and spread in the mellow light of the drawing room made a picture within itself. The arrangements had been under the supervision of Mr. M. E. Welsh of Mike’s Cafe, Leadville’s best caterer, and reflected no little credit upon his good taste. The tables were arranged in the shape of a broad letter T, and at the center of the upper bar sat the bride and groom. To the right sat the father and mother, and to the left Mr. and Mrs. Braham, the sister and brother-in-law of the bride. In the inner angles the brothers were seated, and on the extremities the privileged guests. Directly in front of the bride and groom rose the bridal cake, fretted, filigreed, garnished with flowers and moulded in the shape of a pyramid. It would be useless to attempt to do justice to the supper in the narrow limits of a newspaper article, but suffice to say that the menu included all the delicacies of the season and the distinct dishes that culinary art and artists could produce. Before the plate of each guest was a beautiful button hole bouquet, and from a huge bunch of tube roses, hyacinths and rare flowers in the center of each section of the table a subtle yet soft and delicious perfume arose and permeated the room.

 

The gifts listed in the paper were:

 

Parlor set, J. E. Shoenberg; sideboard, Joe Franklin, Chicago; bedroom set, M. Shoenberg; range and outfit, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Braham; piano; Mr. and Mrs. E. Shoenberg; complete set of breakfast, dinner and supper dishes, H. H. Eliel and J. T. McHugh; beautiful china chamber set, M. Altman and J. Schloss; butter dish, Mr. and Mrs. J. Waldheimer; jewelry casket, Isadore Hoffheimer; jardiniere, Lew Shoenberg; toilet casket, M. Hyman; jewelry casket, Lee Wolff; set of solid silver teaspoons, Levi Shoenberg; handsome ebony Swiss clock, H. S. Brodie; casket of beautiful salt cellars, T. B. Dean; casket of solid silverware, fifty pieces, Morris May; magnificent silver water pitcher with goblet and finger bowl, John Burns; case of toilet articles, Mr. and Mrs. C. Clias; castor and napkin table ornament, Miss Celestine and Messrs. Samuel and Louis Lesem; set of table and tea spoons and knives and forks, J. V. Holcomb; and set of silverware, Louis Shoenberg.

 

Mr. and Mrs. May left on the afternoon train for Denver and then for a few weeks honeymoon in the East. Soon after they returned to Leadville, they moved into their home at 203 West Fifth Street and before long became active members in the Standard Club, which had been organized as a social group during their absence, as well as of the earlier organized benevolent society of B’nai B’rith.

 

9) October: Improving fall business conditions influenced J. D. Shoenberg, Cheap Joe, to establish a third’s men’s clothing store in the Boston Block, 410 Harrison Avenue, with the grand opening on October 1. His first place of business, 116 West Chestnut Street, had become a wholesale as well as a retail house, and his second store had been opened earlier in 1880 in the Dickey Block on Harrison Avenue. As a result of his enlarged business, Shoenberg employed fourteen salesmen and bookkeepers, and at the close of the conversation with the reporter, he proudly said his next move was to get married on the 13th of the month to Miss Della Rothschild of Little Falls, New York.

10) November 9: Attending the First Anniversary Ball of B’nai B’rith was Joe,

 

Mrs. Moses Shoenberg was in old-gold colored, gros-grained satin underdress and overdress of brocaded satin, with cord and tassel trimmings, and diamond ornaments, and, presumably, Moses.

1881

 

Joseph E., clothing and furnishing goods, 118 & 120 Harrison, r Denver

Lew, manager J.E. Shoenberg, r 108 Harrison

Moses, (May & Shoenberg (318 Harrison)), r 201 W 5

Samuel, cigars 112.5 W Chestnut, r 411 Pine.

Alex, clk. Samuel Shoenberg, r 411 Pine

 

1) June: One large firm which went under was the clothing and men’s furnishings business of Joe Shoenberg, Cheap Joe, who had stocked his stores with more than he could pay for. He moved to Denver and opened a store there.

2) October: May & Shoenberg subscribe to the Merchants’ Electric Light Company.

 

 

1882

J. Miss, clk J. Silberstein & Co (cloak mnfrs 104 W 4, r Denver), r 411 Pine

Moses, r 201 W 5

Samuel, cigars 112 W Chestnut, r 411 Pine

 

1) February 21: Mrs. Moses attended the grand ball celebrated by the Garfield Post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

2) December:

 

Mr. Mose Shoenberg has returned from the east, accompanied by his wife and young son, who have been spending some weeks with relatives at Quincy, Illinois.

1883

Alex., clk George Kleinhaus, r 411 Pine

Moses, (May & Shoenberg (318 & 405 Harrison)), r 201 W 5

Samuel, fruits 117 Harrison, r 411 Pine

 

1) March: Moses appears as a witness in the Palace of Fashion arson trial.

 

2) May:

 

The Sequin mine, on Rock hill, over which there has been so much litigation, has been leased for a year by Messrs. May & Shoenberg. The lessees are now working fifteen men and shipping to the Elgin and Royal Gorge smelters about two loads of ore per week. The ore is gray sand that runs ten ounces of silver and 60 per cent. lead to the ton, worth in coin about $35 per ton. The mine is being worked under the management of Mr. W. J. Campbell, formerly of the Chrysolite. The lessees will doubtless make money out of their investment.

 

3) May:

 

THANKS FROM THE LETTER CARRIERS

Resolved, That the thanks and regards are hereby tendered to the press of this city for many kindly editorial and other favors, and to the citizens of Leadville for the generous patronage so liberally bestowed on the occasion of the carriers’ ball, given on the 9th inst.

Resolved, That the thanks and regards are hereby tendered to Messrs. May & Shoenberg, clothiers of this city, for their prompt and generous action in furnishing uniforms for the carriers at lower rates than the same could be obtained in the city of Philadelphia.

4) June:

 

The Sequin mine, located on Rock hill and adjoining the Rock and Dome mines, is now making regular shipments of a good class of ore running from $30 to $35 per ton. The lessees, Mr. Ford [probably Fred], [Fred] Butler and May & Shoenberg are feeling confident that a good profit will be realized on this month’s working. Mineral is now being taken from three drifts of the above quality.

———

The Kid lode, on Printer Boy hill, just opposite the Nellie S., has been leased by Messrs. May & Shoenberg and Johnston. They are now in good contact matter, but the work is being considerable hindered by surface water. The indications of striking mineral are good and the lessees feel confident of success.

 

1884

Alex., clk S. Shoenberg, r 411 Pine

Moses, (May & Shoenberg (318 Harrison)), r 201 W 5

Samuel, fruits & cigars 304 Harrison, r 411 Pine

 

1) March: Moses cosigned a bond for David May to serve as County Treasurer.

2) Buggy and horseback rides on moonlit nights to Evergreen Lakes grew in popularity after the proprietors of the hotel there, Chapin and Cooper, began serving elaborate midnight dinners, early in July. Later that month, Mr. and Mrs. David May and Mr. and Mrs. Moses Shoenberg gave an equestrian party to and dinner at the Evergreen Lakes Hotel, but the society columnist did not mention whether it was by day or by night.

3) October:

 

At May & Shoenberg’s the interview[er] was informed that trade was booming.

“Better than last year, if anything.”

 

 

4) October: Mrs. Moses helped to organize the 6th Annual Ball for the Hebrew Ladies’ Benevolent Society.

1885

Alex., 21, fruits, etc., 225 Harrison, r 411 Pine

Samuel, 52, with Alex Shoenberg, r 411 Pine

Carie, 53.

Adeline, 27.

Hattie, 24.

Jennie, 22, daughter, Illinois.

 

1) January: Business developments of 1885 began with David May becoming the sole owner of the men’s furnishing firm originally known as Holcomb, May & Dean, then as May & Shoenberg. Dissolution of the latter partnership, which became effective on January 1, 1885, had been announced in August of 1884 when the firm of May & Shoenberg had held a $65,000 sale. At that time this advertisement appeared in the newspapers:

 

Our goods are of such superior quality and finish and are so well known to the trade that we shall offer no comment on them. First Come, First Served. Bargains for all alike. As you pass by, stop and note the goods and prices at 318 Harrison Avenue.

 

At approximately the same time Moses Shoenberg and his wife decided to move back East, and in consequence Shoenberg had sold out to his brother-in-law.

2) January:

 

One of the most successful society events of the [second] week of the New Year was a farewell reception and luncheon given in honor of Mrs. M. Shoenberg on Friday afternoon, from 2 to 6 o’clock, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. David May. The rooms were beautifully trimmed for the occasion and decorated with handsome floral offerings. Elaborate refreshments were served at 4 o’clock. Mrs. David May did the honors of hostess in her usual graceful and hospitable manner. The guests were profuse in their regrets for the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Shoenberg from Leadville, but all joined in hoping that although not located among us, they will often visit their Cloud city friends, and be assured of a hearty welcome. Those present were: Mrs. J. H. Monheimer, Mrs. Adolph Baer, Mrs. Sol Herman, Mrs. Sol Levy, Mrs. Sam Shoenberg, Mrs. Richard Metz, Mrs. Adolph Hirsch, Mrs. Sol Werthan, Mrs. R. Fresham, and Mrs. M. L. Goldenberg.

 

3) February: David May reported that:

 

“I received a letter from my late partner, Mr. Moses Shoenberg. He writes from New York City, that business throughout the east is very dull and the merchants generally afflicted with gloom if not despondency. He mentioned that he had been reviewing the entire country for a suitable location, but had found no place offering so many advantages and inducements as Leadville, and the tone of his correspondence would indicate that he regretted the day he left.”

 

4) February: Mr. and Mrs. S. Shoenberg attended a recherche dinner for Baron St. Lindoner of Berlin at the May home.

1886

Alex., fruits, r 411 Pine

Samuel, fruits, etc., 223 Harrison, r 411 Pine

 

 

1887

Alex., clk, r 411 Pine

J.E., clothing, 313 Harrison.

Samuel, cigars & confectionery, 223 Harrison, r 411 Pine

 

1) March: Joseph Shoenberg, a clothing merchant in Leadville from 1879 to 1883, and known at that time as “Cheap Joe”, took over the chattel mortgage on Samuel Rich’s goods for “a little over $20,000”. Opening the Lion Clothing House at 313 Harrison Avenue, Shoenberg started selling the stock through an aggressive advertising campaign. In September he rented the Monheimer Brothers’ store on the southwest corner of Harrison Avenue and Fourth Street and finished selling the rest of the goods from that location. How all of the interested parties came out financially was not published in the papers. Later in the year, Shoenberg left Leadville for Denver and the Monheimers moved to New York City, but where Samuel Rich went is not known.

2) August 14: Mrs. S. attended a “coffee klatch” at Mrs. Sam Mayer’s.

3) October: Joseph was with the Manhatten Clothing company and was quoted commenting on the local banks.

1888

Carrie, fruits, etc., 223 Harrison, r 411 Pine

Samuel, manager, C. Shoenberg, r 411 Pine

Louis D., manager, Manhattan Clothing Co (sw Harrison & 4), r 120 W 4 (May Home)

 

1) January: Mrs. L. D. is honored for services by Hebrew Ladies and Gentlemen.