In October, 1895, George W. Marshall and Harry Barton established "The Picnic," which at that time consisted of a stock of general merchandise. They discontinued a diversified stock and in 1901 removed a portion of their goods to their Delphos store, in which they became interested in 1899, and filled their present quarters with a line of gents' furnishings. They are stocked with the character of goods well suited to the trade, from the most fashionable dress suit to the goods of stronger texture for the laboring classes.

George W. Marshall, the senior member of the firm, has been identified with many business enterprises in Cloud county since his advent into the state in 1875. He first became associated with Mr. Hinman in a general store. He was the first president of the Concordia First National Bank, has been mayor of the city and has been connected directly or indirectly with almost every interest promoted in the city of Concordia. His home is one of the most modern residences in the city and the scene of many elegant social functions. Mrs. Marshall, before her marriage, was Josephine Truesdell, whose parents were among the early settlers of the county and established the first hotel, as mentioned in the early history of the new town. Her mother still lives in Concordia. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are the parents of two sons, George and Joe.

Harry Barton, the junior member of the firm, was for years a commercial traveler for the well-known wholesale grocery house of Julius Kuhn, of Atchison, Kansas. Mr. Barton had the reputation of being one of the most successful salesmen on the road and supplied almost every firm within the limits of his territory with goods. Mr. Barton married a Concordia young woman and soon afterward left the road and formed a partnership with Mr. Marshall. They are one of the solid firms of the city and their far-reaching enterprise is linked with the growth, and progress of their town.