Hall County, Nebraska - Chapter 14: Industrial History of Hall County, 1920

Chapter 14: Industrial History of Hall County

First Industries - Steam Power - Milling Industry - Grand Island Canning Factory - Grand Island Brewery - Beet Sugar Factory - Grand Island Creameries - Granite Works - Building Materials - Grand Island Iron Foundry and Fence Factory - Broom Factory - ^^ Bottling Works - Furniture Factory - Planing Mills - Hurst Sash & Door Co. - Cigar Factories - Steam Laundries - Culvert and Metal Works - Hide Industry - Serum Co. - Floral Industry - Printing and Calendars - Nebraska Telephone Co. - The Stock Yards - Loup Valley Packing Co. - Grand Island Horse, Mule and Cattle Market - Growth of Market - Firms and Dealers ON Market - Wholesale Houses - Minton-Woodward Co. - Donald Co. - Dolan Fruit Co. - Brown Fruit Co. - Nebraska Mercatile Co. - Etting Candy Co. - Moving Picture Industry - Local Picture Theatres - The Automobile Industry - Growth of Automobiles, Trucks and Tractors in Importance BY V. E. Evans - Bicycle Industry - Grand Island Aero Industry

Industrially, of course, the greatest wealth and growth of Hall County has depended upon the pursuit of agricultural activities. The development of agriculture and the live stock industries has been treated in a separate chapter. The development of the sugar-beet industry has in part been treated in that chapter, but the history of the factory will be included in this chapter.

A second great factor in the industrial and commercial importance of Grand Island and Hall County has been the transportation facilities it possesses. Being a division point on the great Union Pacific railroad has been perhaps the next greatest revenue producing source of income to the people of Grand Island and Hall County, after the grain- growing and live animal industries have been considered. This activity and industry has been judged to be of sufficient importance, in its relation to Hall County, to be considered in a separate chapter.

plants and enterprises,* other than those strictly engaged in purely wholesale and retail activities, for it is hard to draw any distinct line between commercial and industrial enterprises. On the other hand, the wholesale interests have been partially included in this chapter, because the wide field outside of Hall County they are now covering makes them industrially important to the county.

While the "old town" or first settlement existed, down on the river, and before the railroad came through, the community had not reached the stage of industrial expansion. Yet, as has been remarked before, the old first blacksmith shop of James Michels' i did sufficient carriage and wagon work \.o make it industrially important, likewise, the shop of Ed Hooper established in 1861. The first sawmills built down there were producing institutions, in a way.

County was the State Central flouring mills established by Henry A. Koenig in 1867. Adam Blunk erected his Platte Valley grist mill ten years later, in 1877.

The next industrial enterprise established was probably the Hurley & Jones brick yards in 1870 near Prairie Creek - five miles north of the city. Here were made and sold what would probably now be called a poor quality of brick, at $15 per thousand. Evidently this enterprise did not flourish for very long, and probably was not in existence at the time the first courthouse was built, as the brick for that building was hauled in from Omaha.

The earliest excursion into the brewery business was made by Dodge & Abbott, on the south side about where the old Abbott residence was afterwards built. The plant was one that had been originally placed in use on the "Jim Boyd" ranch (James E. Boyd, afterwards governor of the state), up near Shelton, and the machinery and appliances were purchased and moved down here, housed and placed in operation. This plant was afterwards torn down and was in no way connected with the brewery next to be considered.

In 1873, the State Central Brewery was in operation, first established by George Boehm. Strattman Brothers' wagon shop came in about this point.

The fourth important enterprise to start in here was a foundry established during 1878 in connection with the blacksmith and wagon shop of Hooper & Ferguson, and purchased in 1881 by Ed Hooper.

The next real important industrial development was the location of the Union Pacific machine shops - erection of which started in 1880, and by 1881 they were partially in operation. These will be discussed in greater detail in the chapter on railroads.

Steam Power

Steam power received an early usage in Hall County. By 1885 the manufactories and enterprises in Grand Island employing steampower were : Schaupp's Planet Roller mills, Glade's mill, Peterson's mill, Gardner's feedmill, Merrill's feed mill. Union Pacific railmill, Union Pacific shops. Union Pacific car shops, sash factory. Hooper's foundry, and the State Central Brewery. In Wasmer's and Wiseman's elevators steam power was also used as well as in the electric light works, bottling works, Independent office, Weeks's job office, and city laundry. Blunk's flour and feed-meal mills, south of the city, were operated by water power.

In addition to the above, the community then had numerous smaller industries in the line of broom factories, planing-mills, gas and electric plant, cigar factories, street railway system, nursery and green house, stock yards, patent medicine factory, and marble works.

Milling Industry

The pioneer milling industries west of Fort Calhoun (except the occasional water-mill) was the State Central Flouring Mill, established in 1867, by Henry A. Koenig. In 1883 this property became the property of Henry Glade, and has been continuously op- erated by the Glade family, and by Glade & Etting, and as the Grand Island Roller Mills and the Glade Mills. The business is now conducted by The Henry Glade Milling Co., the corporate name used since 1912. The present officers are F. M. Glade, president; Lee E. Etting, vice-president; A. A. Glade, treasurer, and F. A. Glade, secretary.

Peterson & Co. ran a mill at Greenwich and Front, and some milling was done as the Grand Island Milling & Elevator Co. In 1891 John Berry conducted the City Feed Mill. Later the mills of A. Krombach, August Meiss, Stancliff mill (the old Rollins mill) figured and H. A. Guy had a corn meal mill in the old gas plant on Fourth street. But the Glade Mills h;<; at all times been the of two hundred barrels a day and was turning out four brands of flour, also rye and graham flour, corn meal, etc. Six men were then constantly employed. In 1883 the capacity was 100 barrels per day, amounting to around $100,000 per year. Now the capacity is about 450 barrels per day, amounting to over $9,000,000 annually. The bulk of the wheat harvested around Grand Island is taken by this mill and something like 120,000 barrels of flour are shipped out of Grand Island each year to markets, many of which are a long distance away. This company also maintains offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

There have been numerous other mills in Grand Island. Mention has already been made of Blunk's mill on Wood River, Merrill's feed mill and Gardner's feed mill. C. A.

The Grand Island Canning Factory

Not far from the Union Pacific railroad shops, a little more to the north, is the canning factory, with the main building and numerous adjacent portions of the plant surrounding it. The main part of this three-story building, brick and stone in construction, is 50 x 100, with a wing 40 x 90 feet. There are also husking sheds 180 x 30 feet wide. The factory has a capacity of 150,000 cases of corn and 50,000 cases of peas per season and can use the products of about 4,000 acres of corn and 1,000 acres of peas yearly. Through the many years of its operation, this industry has given a great impulse to

The Grand Island Canning Company filed articles of incorporation on March 14, 1887. The subscribers were O. B. Thompson, C. W. ScariT, William A. Hagge, C. A. VonWasmer, T. J. Hurford, Charles Wasmer and J. D. Moore.

This company operated very successfully for a number of years. At times, during the height of the season, it could employ as many as 400 hands, including the large force of buskers required in the corn season, and to this annual force of workers about $20,000 was paid in wages and about $30,000 more revenue accrued to the farmers for the corn raised. This company had rented the building at a figure that could be met in successful and normal years. But during the early 'nineties when, agriculturally speaking, things went to smash this item was too high to be met under those conditions. So in the depression that followed the hard and dry years this industry went under and stopped. A capital of $38,000 was originally invested in the buildings and machinery and at every season more machinery had been added, so that when the factory closed, about 1893, it was worth $50,000. Of course the conditions that prevailed for a number of years did not discourage the reopening of this enterprise. It was re-opened in 1903 by James F. Rourke, who has restored it to its full glory of fomier years, and it is now running under his management, on practically the same basis as in its best days under the former regime. During the 1919 season a substantial amount of acreage has been contracted, and the new Craft-Edgerton farm, operated near the city under the new Kelly well irrigating system and with all mechanical appliances available, has a large acreage about ready for the 1919 canning season.

The Grand Island Brewery

Mention has been made of the first brewery enterprise in the county, by Dodge- & Abbott, and of the very early establishment by 1873, of the State Central Brewery, by George Boehm. After Mr. Boehm's death this institition was handled by Andrew Ott. Ott's Brewery was operated during the late 'eighties and in the early 'nineties at 1013 West Charles street. Later in the 'nineties the plant was operated by Lange Brothers. On November 1, 1897, it was acquired by the Grand Island Brewing Company, an incorporated company consisting of Martin Schimmer, John Schimmer, Fred Lohmann and Herman Hehnke, Sr., directors. Martin Schimmer was president and John Schimmer, secretary. This property was later destroyed by fire. After a few years a new enterprise was organized that erected a fine six-story brick building at 1111 west North Front street, which at the time of its completion was the skyscraper and one of the show places of the city. Since the arrival of prohibition this enterprise has been changed to the title of Grand Island Manufacturing Company, and is operating on successful basis in the manufacture and sale of a beverage called "near beer," and is meeting with a sale that indicates the customers like it regardless of the "far" or "near" distance.

The Beet Sugar Factory

In the agricultural chapter of this work an account has been given of the growth and development of the beet sugar industry-. In 1887 the citizens of this locality had tests made of the soil, imported seed from France and Germany, and in the season of 1888 many beets were planted in this locality. Thinking that 1888 might have been an exceptionally fortunate season seed was again imported and planted on a still more extensive scale in 1889. The subject of the location of a beet-sugar factory came before the citizens of Grand Island in November, 1889, and they decided to raise $100,000. They did raise $60,000 by voluntary subscriptions ranging from $100 to $1,000 each to promote the enterprise. In the meantime negotiations were carried on to interest men with the proper amount of capital to build and operate a factory here. Finally the gentlemen in Grand Island in charge of the matter won out over the various difficulties in their way, and on December 7, 1889, the site for a sugar factory was selected, and on Monday, December 9, ground was broken and work commenced.

The dimensions of the principal factory building are as follows: Length, 292 feet, width, 85 feet, height, four stories, fifty feet. The structure is built of stone, iron, and brick and in such a substantial manner it will stand for a good many years. In addition there are the boiler house and engine house, lime house, beet sheds, and a system of smaller builings built around the principal buildings.

The site chosen was one at the extreme western end of the city, and two tracts of land acquired, one belonging to the United States Improvement Company and the other to Messrs. Thummel & Piatt, situated along the side of the St. Joseph & Grand Island Railroad and extending north to the Union Pacific stock vards, thus touching both the Union Pacific and St. Joseph & Grand Island tracks, and the sugar factory belt line to receive Burlington shipments. The northeast corner of the site comes practically to the new fair grounds, and the east line touches Gladstone Place and the south line of the Packer & Barr, Shoemaker and Wasmer additions, so that many homes heve been built in that section to be in close proximity to the factory.

The street car line was built out to the factory in January, 1890. Since the demise of that system of transportation adequate motor transportation has been provided in

The machinery and appliances for the factory and sugar refinery were ordered and shipped from Germany, France, and Australia, and it was due to the knowledge, persistence, and energy of the little group of citizens in Hall County who knew from experience and observation in Europe what this industry could be, that Grand Island secured the first beet-sugar factory installed and placed in operation in the United States. In the years that have intervened other factories have been established in Nebraska that have gone out of existence, and in very recent years a group of wonderfully large institutions has been placed in the western end of the state by the Great Western Sugar Co., but the old "pioneer" factory is still very successfully operating at Grand Island.

Henry T. Oxnard was president of the Oxnard Company, which took charge of the operation of this institution at Grand Island. J. G. Oxnard was vice-president, C. Kennedy Hamilton was secretary', E. C. Howe was manager, in 1893. The old Oxnard syndicate's management was succeeded by the American Beet Sugar Company, which is now operating the factory. A. J. Denman has been superintendent of the plant for the past few years.

In 1884 a number of Hall County's enterprising citizens formed an association for the purpose of establishing a creamery. They formed a stock company, organizing in March, 1884, with J. W. Liveringhouse, president, J. P. Kernohan, vice-president, J. E. Jewett, secretary, and J. H. Wethers, treasurer. They engaged Mr. Jewett, and later Mr. Liveringhouse as manager. Liveringhouse conducted the institution both as lessee and manager for a time.

In 1890 Messrs. Roeser & Co., who from the beginning had been members of the company, leased the plant and operated it for a long time for the company - The Grand Island Creamery Co. In the meantime they bought up practically all of the shares, and became, in reality, the owners. La the early part of 1897 Robert Freitag sold his interest to his partner, Oscar Roeser, who became the sole proprietor of the creamery.

The creamery business thrived during the administration of Messrs. Roeser and Freitag, except for an unavoidable and inevitable interception in the drought years of 1894-95, when the results were naturally rather poor. In 1891 the creamery made 129,104 pounds of butter; in 1892, 159,200; in 1893, 174,355;

Granite Works Pain13-Fishburn Granite Co

As early as 1887 H. J. Mayer was conducting a granite and marble works. Ira T. Paine purchased Mayer's plant in 1888. This establishment was first near the present location, and later for many years was on Second street, near the City Hall. In 1905 the con-

In 1904 this creamery was still owned by Mr. Roeser and managed by W. N. Culbertson, and was doing a business of about 38,000 pounds a month. It then had twelve cream routes and was employing a large force throughout the year.

In 1901 the St. Paul Creamery Company established a plant in Grand Island, on east Fourth street, at the city electric light works. They began the manufacture or fine separator butter. George McBride succeeded to this plant, about 1905, and sold it about 1907 to the Fairmont Creamery Co. The immense plant of the Fairmont Creamery Company was completed in 1909. This company, the second largest of its line of business in the cern was incorporated as the Paine Marble & Granite Works, by Ira T. Paine, Charles Beal and Bayard H. Paine, and in 1910 was reincorporated as the Paine-Fishburn Granite Co. The officers of the company are at the present, and through most of its business career have been, as follows: Ira T. Paine, president ; D. H. Fishburn, vice-president ; Bayard H. Paine, secretary, and A. A. Tooher, treasurer. The company built the present fine two-story brick structure on Walunt street, between Third and Front, in 1909. It is now operaed as the Paine-Fishburn Granite_ Co. This company sells its goods all through western Nebraska, and into Wyoming and the other neighboring states to the west, and keeps a half dozen representatives on the road, employing an average of twenty people.

The Paine-Fishburn plant is the largest in its line in the state outside of Omaha, being fully equipped with pneumatic and electric machines and traveling cranes.

For a time another granite and marble works was conducted as the Grand Island Marble Works, with W. D. Glenn, president, E. E- Glenn, vice-president, and Rose E. Hanson, secretary, but this plant went out of business within the last two years.

Grand Island has another plant engaged in this same industry. William Schefifel, for many years a leading stone cutter and stone mason of Grand Island, who had installed many street crossings, curbings and sidewalks and produced excellent jobs in finished and dressed stone building work, branched out into the monumental works. On October 17, 1917, articles of incorporation were filed for The Schefifel & Son Monument Works, in which enterprise Mr. Schefifel is assisted by his son, Carl. A new building has been erected on Cleburn and Front streets, and they are handling a stock of monuments, marble and stone for various purposes.

In 1870 the Hurley & Jones brick yards, already spoken of, inaugurated the very early entrance of Hall County into the industry of furnishing building materials. In the late 'eighties, Fred Lehman had brick yards in South Grand Island ; Henderson Brothers had another, and Kerr & King operated in west . Grand Island. J. F. Zedicker had a yard in 1889. The Grand Island Brick Company started about 1890, and Schmidt & Kirschke were operating then in north Grand Island, a mile north of the city. Louis Schmidt later became sole manager of this concern.

The Doniphan brick yards, under the management of H. E. Kunk, acquired a widespread operation. This yard was operated by C. Klose & Co., who also had yards at Aurora and Lincoln.

Cotinty's resources along the building material line. The new highway construction law giving the state and counties power to construct gravel pits, stone quarries, brick yards, and other establishments necessary to manufacture road building materials at reasonable and usable costs may result in a revival of this industry in Hall County in the near future.

The Traill Sand and Gravel Co. was incorporated February 20, 1919, by James W. Traill, David J. Traill and Richard M. Kuester, and is operating sand and gravel pits, and producing raw building materials of various kinds for the building material market.

The Grand Island Iron Foundry And Woven Wire Fence Factory

During the 'nineties a fine brick building was erected at Front and Elm streets, on the north side of the track, for an iron foundry and the business started out under favorable auspices. Like many other enterprises, it succumbed under the pressure of the destructive business period of the middle 'nineties.

But in May, 1897, C. H. Tully opened the factory again, adding to the original business that of manufacturing woven wire fences. For some years Grand Island has possessed a bridge builder, John L. Means, and for some time Mr. Tully had been associated with him, the firm name being Means & Tully. Mr. Tully rapidly built up a good foundry business and a line of repair work. His woven wire fence business steadily improved so that he has had to enlarge the plant frequently, and at certain times of the year he employs a force both night and day. He manufactures about ninety cars of wire per year. Sales and production of this concern have increased over 200%. The plant now uses eight fence looms, automatic. Grand Island fence is produced in several types, a special corral fence, with two barbed wires woven into the center of the fence as well as barbed wires at top and bottom, a 48-inch fence barbed at top and bottom, a 39-inch open hearth steel for garden, lawn, or orchard fence, a 32-inch.

fence to enclose sheep, hogs, etc., a 26-inch fence supplemented by barbed borders, and a 20-inch fence for hogs, with barbed wire additions. All Grand Island fence has a special double wrap at each knot. This plant is also jobbers for a line of gates and ornamental fences. The business is now conducted by C. H. Tully Fence Co., with C. H. Tully as proprietor and advisor and C. F. Tully, general manager. A large mail order business is done, so that not very many men are kept on the road, but at least eight people are employed at all times.

The Broom Factory

About 1888 J. Kelso began an unassuming little factory for manufacturing brooms. It commenced on a very small scale and increased its output until it sold goods to a territory reaching into Montana. The corn for its brooms had been for the greater part shipped in from more southern climes, where the weather is more favorable to the growth of fine broom corn. At times the product of about forty acres of corn raised in this county has been used by this factory. In 1907 the Kelso Broom Company was organized out of the old Kelso broom factory. Larger buildings were obtained and between twenty-five and thirty men are employed. Geo. W. Kelso had been last proprietor before the reorganization. Then R. R. Horth became president and Geo. W. Kelso, secretary-treasurer and manager. The business was then located at 523 W. Front. This business discontinued about 1912.

Bottling Works

During the 'eighties Henry Vieregg conducted his bottling works at 216 W. First. This business was later conducted by Henry Vieregg & Son, but it was sold a few years ago to Saas & Haack, and is now conducted as the Third City Bottling works. A. Ott conducted a bottling works in the late 'eighties at 1911 West Louise. The American Bottling Works at 618 East Fifth has been running for about seven or eight years now. Through these two plants Grand Island is a liberal producer and shipper of the products of this line, and the quality of the Grand Island factories is accounted above the average by the trade.

Furniture Factory

It has been noted before that Grand Island had a furniture factory as early as 1887. This institution was at 214-216 North Pine and was conducted by Thomas Lee. In late years Wm. Elfers has conducted a cabinet and furniture shop at East Third.

Planing Mills

Geo. E. Winn had a planing mill here as early as 1887. There have been numerous planing mills and wood shops. L. T. Geer has had a long career here as a contractor, and with J. D. Harrison began that line of work as early as 1893. The Geer-Harrison Co. erected a building in which they carried on a planing mill about 1900, and enlarged it in 1906. The W. H. Harrison Co. also has a planing mill in connection with their lumber business.

Hurst Sash & Door Co

In recent years another business along the line of finishing business materials and furnishing the finished goods for the contractor and builder has been started here. The Hurst Sash & Door Co. was established under the sole ownership of E. W. Hurst in December, 1915, and continued as such until January, 1919, at which time owing to the rapidly increasing business and the desire to expand, it was organized into a stock company, with the following officers : E. W. Hurst, president and general manager, A. E. Cady, Jr., vice-president, M. E. Hurst, secretary and treasurer. This plant does a general jobbing millwork business for all classes of building and carries the usual accessories or side lines handled by the retail lumber dealer. It furthermore carries in stock one of the most complete assortments, both in variety and quality, of windows, doors, and hardwood interior finish handled in the west, and by means of several traveling men is covering not only Nebraska,

The Herman Nelson Lumber and Supply Co. conduct both a general lumber business and a plant for furnishing finished millwork for the builder. Kruse Brothers, contractors and builders, have been equipped for furnishing the public with millwork.

The Sothman Company is well equipped to undertake building jobs and furnish various products for the work. Albert Stehr has reached that stage in the contracting business where he can also handle the entire job.

Cigar Factories

One of the most famous factories of Grand Island was the Puritan which became known by that name in 1902. Fred H. Michelson was running a business about 1900 and the name Puritan became quite well-known by the time this factory had been built up to a point where it often employed as many as fifty or sixty girls. It occupied the locations where the Brunswick Billiard hall and Davies Cafeteria are now running. Hal Rowl afterwards conducted the Puritan for five years as a pool hall when it had moved to Locust street, where Max Greenberger's clothing and tailor shop is now situated, and in recent years it has gone over to Pine street, but it has been out of the list of cigar factories for some years. Hann & Boehl started their factory at the 214 West Second location ten or eleven years ago. That factory is now conducted by the Hann Cigar Co., while for the last few years Arthur C. Boehl has been around the comer at 108 S. Wheeler and 117 S. Wheeler with his factory and store. Henry J. Voss has been running a cigar factory since about 1893, over twenty-six years now. He first was located at 306 West Third, but the H. J. Voss & Son cigar factory has been at 214>^ West Third for the last seven or eight years. A. Brandt started the Brandt Cigar Co. at 109^4 S. Pine. F. C. Brandt had been at 113 East Front a few years before. The Brandt Cigar Co. is now owned by Emil F. Rickert, at 215 East Third, where it manufactures eight or ten well-known brands of cigars, including the Lincoln Highway.

A very well-known establishment of this class has been the John W. Sink Cigar Co. which has operated at I05y^ East Third and recently at 107 East Third. The man who established this business, John W. Sink, served in the legislature for two terms and became a political worker of state-wide reputation. In 1918 he sold the business, but it still operates, and its traveling selesmen sell its goods clear to the western border of the state and beyond. The Phelps Cigar Co. operated for about five years at 113 S. Locust street, but recently the Dan C. Brown Cigar Co. acquired that business. The Harkert Cigar Co. was at 113 N. Locust until recently. No attempt has been made to give a detailed history of the pool and billiard halls of the city, though occasionally some of them have been mentioned. The Saratoga, running recently at 116 West Third, formerly was at 120 N. Pine.

Steam Launderies

Grand Island has had numerous laundries which did not stay in business very long, such as Omaha, and Troy, about 1887, and the Martha Washington, about that time. Thomas M. Hainline was handling laundry work at 620 East Fifth by 1889. and at the end of the 'nineties the T. M. Hainline & Son Twentieth Century Laundry was operating on West Front street. The Hainhne laundry in recent years has been at 107 East Front street. Sam Lee conducted the well known Chinese laundry at 118 North Pine for something like twenty years through the 'nineties and up beyond 1910. The Model Laundry ran for awhile at 412 West Third. Sam Lee had Chinese competition at times, notably Kee Lung, at 116 N. Pine, about 1889 and 1890, and Hong Sing on East Third about 1910. .The main competitor to the Hainline laundry and Sam Lee has been the Steam Laundry. The Steam Laundry was established in 1889. The firm of J. C. Alexander and J. W. Marsh then occupied an old building at 512 East Third, and having found the field sufficiently good for a lanudry built a building of their own. After the retirement of Alexander & Marsh, Jno. Cunningham and later a Mr. Hall were owners, and P. A. Dennon operated it for about four years. The laundry was at 118 East Second, but is now at 222 East Third. Leo. Loeb had it later. Dennon and Degan incorporated the business. Ralph Sabin and E. E. Vollmer had been running the Grand Island Model Laundry until a corporation was effected about 1915, under the name of Grand Island Model Laundry and the Stean Laundry was absorbed in name. The Model Laundry is now operated under the supervision of T. M. Sharp.

Grand Island Culvert & Metal Works Kelly Well Co

Among the industries of the Third City of Nebraska, there are two that are worthy of special mention. The Grand Island Culvert & Metal Works is located on North Oak street, adjoining the Union Pacific tracks. This plant is the exclusive manufactory of the "Genuine Open Hearth Iron" culverts in northern Nebraska. They make a specialty of screw joint well casing, heavy riveted pipe for irrigation well, and are equipped to turn out anything in the metal tank line from the smallest house tank and garbage can to the largest storage and supply tank. They are designers and manufacturers of the only corrugated grain bin in this section of the country. This concern is also jobbers for furnaces and kindred accessories. The manager of this plant is Charles McElroy.

A few years ago a process for building a concrete well that not only will not wear out but that can be used in installing power and irrigation systems was patented and perfected by a Grand Island man, Wm. Kelly. The Kelly Well Co., the corporation formed to manufacture and market this concrete well screen, is a concern that threatens to acquire a national fame for its product and should this concern reach the success it bids fair to attract it will add to the reputation and name of Grand Island as plows did to Moline and threshing engines did to Racine, Wisconsin.

The Hide Industry

The D. H. McDonald Co. of Chicago opened a branch hide house in this city about 1896, with J . A. Mitchell as manager. Mr. Mitchell has been connected with the hide and fur business of Grand Island for a great many years. In recent years he has been manager of the Chicago Hide arid Fur Co., of which M. M. Blake has been president and Ralph R. Horth secretary as named in new amendment to their articles of incorporation filed in February, 1917. Jas. S. Smith & Co. of Chicago established a branch house here about 1904, which was conducted for a number of years. The Grand Island Hide & Fur Co. came into this field on September 7, 1918, with Wm. F. Krehmke, Wm. Spangenberg, Frank I. Olsen, Harry C. Lyons and Mat Jarvis as incorporators.

Eloral Industry

J. H. Roman was running the Grand Island Green House in 1887 and Wm. Dudley was the nurseryman. This was followed by W. H. Jones. For twenty years Grand Island has had two very excellent green houses, that of Edward Williams and that of John Ellsworth Company, at 1300 West Third. These two firms ship cut floral designs all over the western part of the state.

Mitchell Serum Co

A new industry incorporated for the purpose of manufacturing and selling serums for the treatment of hogs and other animals, the buying and selling of stock hogs, and slaughtering of hogs and the sale of hog products is the Mitchell Serum Co. Articles were filed in April, 1919, by James A. Mitchell, Claude Pollard, R. R. Horth and Chas. Hanson.

Printing And Calenders

A few years ago the Augustine Company was a job printing office. This concern decided to branch out into the field of producing calenders. It gradually expanded in this field until a few years ago it was able to move out of its old quarters at 117 East Third into its splendid ornamental two-story brick building at 120 East Second. The firm has now reached the stage where it can keep several traveling men out on the road successfully competing with Thos. D. Murphy Co. over in their own nest, in southwestern Iowa, where they can go up against Brown & Bigelow in Minnesota, and they placed orders by mail all over the country. In the handling not only of calendars, but of any class of specially elaborate printing jobs they compete with any plant in the state. It might be remarked that while the Augustine is the only plant in town reaching out over the country for business, yet "Grand Island has four other plants which can and do receive jobs from all over this part of the state and turn out pretty classy work. The Independent plant in former years catered to book binding work, but in recent years Grand Island has not offered a book bindery. But with the elaborate presses now owned by the Independent job printing department, they do not hesitate at any class of printing on the market. The Prompt Printery under the excellent management of Thos. V. Mc- Gowan has added to their printing line an up-to-date line of rubber stamps which they manufacture daily. This plant is being merged into The Thos. V. McGowan Co., which is a new corporation entering the wholesale office supply field as well as printing field. Fred Hold confines his work as formerly to commercial printing, of which he turns out large quantities.

Nebraska Telephone Co

This company had a plant in Grand Island for a good many years before the consolidation with the Grand Island Telephone Co. gave it the local exchange exclusively.

the present time. The Nebraska Telephone Co. has its territory throughout Nebraska divided into districts. Grand Island is the headquarters point for the Grand Island district, the largest in the state in area. This district comprises Merrick County and the eastern line of its territory runs along Hamilton, Merrick, Greeley, and Garfield counties, along the north borders of Blaine, Thomas, Hooker, and Grant counties, taking in Sheridan, Dawes, and Sioux counties, in the northwest comer of the state. Running south along the Wyoming state line is its western boundary. It covers all the state south of the Platte River west of Adams County. This comprises a territory something Hke half of the state in area. This is the vast territory to be managed out of Grand Island. In this Grand Island district owned by the Nebraska Co., are 49 exchanges and 98 associated with the Nebraska Company and for which the business is conducted through this Grand Island office. Stations owned by the Nebraska Company, operated in this territory, number 22,091 and something between 30,000 and 32,000 owned by connecting companies

Grand Island Telephone Co

This company was incorporated in 1903 under the name of the Home Telephone Co. The first officers were Chas. G. Ryan, president, H. J. Palmer, vice-president, Fred W. Ashton, secretary, and Geo. B. Bell, treasurer.

and operated out of this office. Grand Island is the toll center for this vast territory and the majority of messages sent from and to towns in the west half of the state pass through or are relayed through the Grand Island station. Around one hundred people are employed in the office maintained here. The district commercial manager is E. K. Haldeman, district plant chief, R. R. Hartford, district traffic chief, C. Y. Barnes. Here also are located the district accountant, district in^ spector, district foreman, district plant office, material yards, and various other offices necessary to the district work. The Grand Island local exchange employs from forty-eight to sixty operators. It is safe to say that over 100 additional families are stationed at Grand

The name was also changed from the Home Telephone Co. to the Grand Island Telephone Company. The plant was installed by J. F. Butterfield of Chicago.

This company was not organized from money-making motives alone but to better the service and extend its scope to a greater number of patrons, the motto being "No party lines."

After successfully managing the business for five years H. J. Palmer sold his interests to Frank H. Woods of Lincoln, and W. E. Bell and associates of the York Telephone Company. Bayard H. Paine bought out the interests of a large number of local stockholders.

This move strengthened the position of the company owing to the fact that Mr. Woods was president of the National Lidependent Telephone Association. After running for several years under this management the entire plant was sold to the Nebraska Telephone Co.

The officers of this company, prior to its sale at a figure that enabled every stockholder to take out every dollar invested with interest to the date of his returns upon the sale, were Bayard H. Paine president, Frank H Woods, vice-president, C. J. Palmer, secretary and manager, and W. E. Bell, treasurer.

Review Of Miscellaneous Industries

There have been numerous industries which have been established and which flourished in Grand Island and added to the lustre of Hall County that have not been mentioned and should not be overlooked. The light plants and street railways system have been treated in the chapter on the city of Grand Island (its utilities). About 1888 Grand Island had a little factory in connection with the Lehman brick yard ; about 1890 J. O. Heffelfinger conducted a soap factory at 821 North Plum; McAllister & James conducted a cornice works about 1890 at 118 West Third; John T. Graham's foundry manufactured various kinds of castings ; a cigar box factory was conducted here about 1914 by E. H. Vieregg; a patent medicine factory was in operation at Fourth and Pine streets about 1888 ; and the Oriental Remedy Co. was running about 1904.

No doubt numerous small industrial enterprises have been established in the city which have been overlooked, but an effort has been made to give recognition to all of the lines of industrial initiative which has sprung forth in the years past in the community.

Present Miscellaneous Industries

Among other industries in operation in the city at this time are : L. M. Carlson mattress and auto top factory, East Second street ; Great Western Chemical Co., Front and Elm streets, which manufactures an animal remedy very generally sold over the country; the

Grand Island Hide and Fur Co. at Front and Wheeler; Grand Island Iron & Metal Co., local dealers and shippers of iron and miscellaneous, products ; Grand Island Light & Fixture Co., Ill South Wheeler, jobbers and distributors for the well-known Cushman light form gasengine ; Grand Island Radiator Co. at 1105 W. Louise; Grand Island Roofing Co., 207 E. 13; Orlofif Junk Iron & Metal Co. ; Nebraska Oxo- Gas Heating Co.

The Stock Yards

The old Grand Island stock yards operating prior to 1890, were situated in the west part of the city, under the control of the Union Pacific. Alter and Glover were managers in 1887. For the last twelve years the Union Stock Yards have been conducted in East Grand Island. In 1907 J. D. Whitmore was secretary and managing officer. At the present time the yards are under the management of the following officers : H. O. Woodward, president, F. G. Cockrell, general manager, J. L. Johnson, secretary-treasurer. This plant is well equiped for handling a large amount of business and caring for those who accompany the stock. The scope of its business may be gathered from the volume handled in 1918, this being approximately 3,100 cars of cattle, 3,000 cars of sheep, 200 cars of hogs, and 300 cars of horses.

Loup Valley Packing Company

Another industry, the success of which will bring considerable added importance to Grand Island as an industrial center, is the new Loup Valley Packing Company. This concern was first organized by a group of Ord and Burwell men, but many Hall County citizens and farmers from all around Central Nebraska have purchased stock interests in the company and it is opening up with many stockholdercustomers as a favorable nucleus for its clientele. M. B. Goodenow is president of the company, W. D. Hart, vice-president, R. J. Mc- Lean, secretary, and C. E. Rassett, treasurer. The capitalization has already been increased from $100,000 to $200,000. William Hammann, general supervising engineer of equipment of the Brecht Co. of St. Louis for past five years and for sixteen years prior thereto general superintendent with largest packers in Chicago and Indiana, is to be general manager, with a manager of twenty-five years experience in every department of the business from the killing end to the finished product. A contract for the plant to cost over $200,000 has been awarded to the Brecht Co. and the building of the same is progressing at this time, 1919. With the growing proportions of the system of hauling stock to market in trucks for a distance as far as a hundred miles or more, it will be nothing startling to see a vast amount of cattle brought to Grand Island in trucks every week, in the very near future. This saves at least two haulings and a shrinkage.

and a farmer can get a line on the market the same day he loads and sells. Four years ago there were four unloading chutes at South Omaha to unload hogs from trucks, now there are more than eighty for unloading stock brought in by motor transport.

The Grand Island Horse, Mule And Cattle Market

The industry that has probably done more than any other one industry ever represented in Grand Island to spread the name of this city over the entire world and given it fame has been the horse and mule market. At various tim.es this market has reached the high point in sales that it could bring to the city the reputation of having the second largest horse and mule market in the world. This industry has for the last fifteen years brought a steady stream of visitors to this city to transact business from hundreds of miles to the north and west, and has made this city a sort of western gateway to the eastern markets for the wide cattle and sheep country m northwestern Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana.

Grand Island's horse market has grown from a very small beginning in 1903, when 4,000 were sold through the rings, until it has reached its proud position of second greatest market in the world. Situated on two of the great continental lines of railway, and in fact at their junction, such shipping facilities have made possible quick shipments in and out of Grand Island. The sales barns are situated near the heart of the city, covering some six acres of ground, with loading chutes and the very handiest trackage on both the Union Pacific and Burlington railroads.

Bradstreet & Clemens Co

Thomas E. Bradstreet started in the commission business in Grand Island in 1903. His auction sales were the first of a wholesale nature held in Grand Island, and numerous cautious friends warned him that such a business venture could not succeed and that he would be flirting with bankruptcy. But he kept on for about three years, when Jesse Clemens became associated with him. A couple of years later the Bradstreet & Clemens Co. was incorporated by Thos. E. Bradstreet, Jesse Clemens, and P. L. Fuller. In

1915 Thos. E. Bradstreet acquired the total interest of the Bradstreet & Clemens Co., which he now owns with his two sons, Archie L. and Deo Bradstreet.

In 1917 some of the firms at this market commenced to handle cattle, and 520 were sold that year. On February 2, 1918, the Blain Horse & Mule Co. changed its corporate name to Blain Horse, Mule & Cattle Co. The Grand Island Horse & Mule Co. did not change its corporate title, but on December 29, 1917, filed amendments to its articles increasing its capital stock from $25,000 to $100,000 and has participated in the changing conditions and purposes of this market. In 1918, the number of cattle was 9,175, and in 1919 cattle auctions are being held regularly as well as horse auction sales. The total of the two lines brings the 1918 total up to 47,331 head of stock altogether, and makes as good a record as any year except 1916 and 1917 when the greatly increased demands of the foreign governments were so pressing that the French and British governments erected temporary yards at Grand Island to handle the horses purchased on this market and shipped from here. With the readjustment of conditions in the horse market and increase of the cattle sales here the Grand Island market will undoubtedly continue its records for steady substantial growth.

Firms And Dealers On The Grand Island Market

The history of this market would not be complete without a record of the firms and dealers who have handled the ever increasing business shown by the record printed above.

The Bradstreet-Clemens Co. built the Central Horse and Mule barns around which the horse market radiated and spread. In 1910, they had two barns, one 70 x 280 ft. and one 68 X 280 ft., one accommodating twenty-five carloads and the other fiftv carloads of horses, with outside pens opposite the barns to accommodate another fifty carloads. Two more barns were built shortly thereafter, and by 1919 they had five barns on the market. For a number of years the Bradstreet- Clemens Co. and the North-Robinson Co. were the principal dealers on the market. A rather detailed history of the North-Robinson Co. has been included in the chapter on the history of Cairo, where that company started in business.

Grand Island Horse And Mule Co

On November 4, 1912, articles of incorporation were filed for the Grand Island Horse and Mule Co. by John Torpey, Wm. S. Fletcher, and Arthur H. Langman, with a capital stock of $25,000. Their first sale was a hummer and from then on they went right ahead. This company is still operating at the market, with A. H. Langman as president, A. C. Scott as vice-president, and John Torpey as secretarytreasurer.

I. C. Gallup Horse And Mule Co

Notice of formation of a special partnership to be called the I. C. Gallup Horse & Mule Co. was filed on March 18, 1912, with the county clerk. This partnership consisted of I. C. Gallup, Wm. Leddy, Hughes & Robins, Arthur Langman, Wm. Fletcher, and provisions were made to take over the I. C. Gallup stock and interest in salesbams at the Union Stock Yards in Grand Island at inventory price.

The Horse Market In 1914

called Grand Island Horse and Mule Market. Vol. 1, No. 1, appeared on February 19, 1914, and considerable of the information given in this chapter up to this point has been taken from this little paper. From this little paper the following directory can be offered of firms and individuals dealing upon the Grand Island market at that time : Bradstreet & Clemens Co. (Thos. E. Bradstreet, president, P. L. Fuller, vice-president, W. R. King, secretarytreasurer), auction sales every Monday until May first, after May first every other Monday; Grand Island Horse and Mule Co. (H. H. Hoops, president, A. C. Scott, vice-president, John Torpey, secretary-treasurer), auction sales every Tuesday, giving John Torpey also as general manager, and W. I Blain as auctioneer for this company; North & Robinson Co., importers and breeders of Percheron, Belgian, and Shire stallions and mares, annual auction sale at the Bradstreet & Clemens Co. sales pavillion March 19 and 20, 1914, the date upon which the Nebraska Horse Breeders Association met at Grand Island; J. T. Hale barns one block west of the Bradstreet & Clemens Co. barns ; M. T. Bernard, three blocks west of the Bradstreet & Clemens Co. barn ; Alexander McMillan, barn at 804 E. Seventh street; Wm. McMillan, barns at 804 east Fourth street; John Torpey, with Grand Island Horse & Mule Co. and operating individually ; Arthur H. Langman, with Bradstreet & Clemens Co. and operating individually ; J. V. Murphy, buying on orders ; Ed. Borders, individual dealer. At that time it was stated that mules were shipped from here to eight states at one recent sale.

Blain Horse And Mule Co

Articles of incorporation were filed for this concern upon November 3, 1915, by William I. Blain, Thos. E. Bradstreet and Will R. King, with a capital stock of $25,000. In November, 1918, the name of the company was changed in notice filed by N. H. Troelstrup, president and W. W. Wimberly, secretary to Blain Horse, Mule & Cattle Co. This company is still successfully operating upon the Grand Island horse market.

Thb Horse Market In 1919

As has been heretofore remarked, the horse market is beginning to revive from a slump that followed when the remarkably heavy "war-sale" period of 1916 and 1917 had passed. This loss of business through the depression that followed is being off-set by the establishment of a growing cattle auction market that will continue to run along with the horse and mule market. At the present time the Bradstreet & Clemens Co., Blain Horse, Mule & Cattle co.. Grand Island Horse & Mule Co., Dr. Bernard, and Ed Borders are the principal dealers on the market. The Borders bam burned down in 1918 and is being rapidly rebuik.

Wholesale Houses

Grand Island is attaining an enviable position as a wholesale and jobbing center among the cities of the state. As early as 1887 the city had several wholesale houses : Beckoven & Co. operated a wholesale fruit business, as did Hili & Hunter ; Heath & Wallichs were wholesalers of paper and J. W. Liveringhouse for creamery supplies. Mention has been made in numerous places in this chapter and the commercial chapter of the "wholesaling" activities of various enterprises in the city. The Piatt Manufacturing Co. operated about 1890 as manufacturers and wholesalers for candies. N. D. Piatt was president, J. Z. Piatt, secretary-treasurer, and Hugh Piatt business manager of this company.

Minton-Woodward Co

Early in the 'nineties a wholesale grocery was started in Grand Island by the Minton- Woodward Co., in the Connell block. C. C. Minton was president, O. D. Wright, vicepresident, and C. D. Woodward, secretary. M. L. Birney was associated with them. About 1899 the Donald-Porter bought out the established successful business of the Minton- Woodward Co. J. Donald, for twenty years a traveling representative of a Chicago house, his brother L. H. Donald, Geo. W. Porter, J. W. Rose were officers of that Company. The Minton-Woodward Company and its successor The Donald Co. have built up a wholesale grocery business that very succeess fully competes with the Omaha, Lincoln, Sioux City, and Chicago jobbing houses throughout Nebraska, and beyond her wetsern border. The Uery-Tolbert Co , a new wholesale grocery house, a corporation composed largely of former Donald Co. employees, is opening up in the Goehring building on west Third now being vacated by the Central Storage Co. to make way for this newest member of Grand Island's wholesale family.

Dolan Fruit Co

Following closely upon the heels of the Minton-Woodward Co. the Dolan Fruit Company went into the wholesale field. M. L. Dolan was president and C. C. Carr, secretary. Frank J. Coates later became secretary of this company.

Nebraska Mercantile Co

This company was organized in 1892 at St. Paul, Nebraska by M. Anderson, A. E. Cady, Jens Wilhelmsen, and Geo. E. Lane, and operated as jobbing grocers under the caption of M, Anderson & Company for three years. In January, 1895, Mr Anderson retired from the firm, and the remaing members incorporated the Nebraska Mercantile Company of St. Paul. At this time A. E. Cady was elected president. Some time after this a branch was opened at Grand Island and operated as such until April 14, 1905, when a seperate corporation was formed known as the Nebraska Mercantile company of Grand Island.

C. C. Hansen then bought out the Lane interests, and was elected secretary and treasurer of the company, A. E. Gary, Sr., being continued as president. The first home of the Nebraska Mercantile Company of Grand Island was in what is now known as the A. O. U. W. building. In July, 1900, they moved into the Goehring building west of the Koehler Hotel which had been built especially for their occupancy. In 1906 their growth required more room and another story was added to the two stories and basement as it was originally built. In 1910 the company suffered from a disastrous fire that occasioned practically a total loss of the stock and building. The building was restored and still another story added, and was occupied until November 1, 1917, when the company went into their own new home. The Goehring building is now becoming the home of the new Uery-Tolbert company.

From 1905 to 1911 the business was under the direct management of J. B. Waldo. In 1911 Glenn Jones acquired an interest in the company and became manager, and still continues in that capacity. G. M. Southmayd, with whom Mr. Jones had embarked in the jobbing grocery business at Omaha in 1899 under the name of Jones-Southmayd Co., followed him to this company and became sales manager of the Nebraska Mercantile Co. in 1917. In November, 1917, the company moved into the most modern jobbing grocery house in the state. On January 26, 1917, A. E. Cady, after twenty-five years of active cervice in guiding the affairs of this company retired as president, and C. C. Hansen succeeded him. On May 25, 1917, the house at St. Paul was consolidated with the Grand Island corporation. A number of Grand Island men own stock in the company now.

Brown Fruit Company

This wholesale fruit concern was organized on April 14, 1914, with H. H. Glover as president, E. L. Brown, vice-president and manager, F. C. Hanaford, secretary and treasurer. It began busines in the 400 block in a one-story cement building 40 x 100 ft. Its business increased until it was necessary in August, 1917, to move to Front and Pine, where it had built a new brick building, two stories and basement, 50 X 140, equipped with modern banana and refrigerator rooms and every modern convenience. The business has shown a steady increase in volume since the date of opening, and now the company keeps not less than twelve men on the road, selling throughout the western half of the state, through central Nebraska and into northwest Kansas, and forty people are employed with the company. The present officers are E. L. Brown, president and manager, Chas. P. Wasmer, vice-president, and J. D. Webster, secretary and treasurer.

Etting Candy Co

This concern conducted a very successful candy factory and wholesale candy and fruit business for a number of years. In its early career, about 1908, Julius Boeck was president, Wm. A. Prince, secretary, Michael Klinge, treasurer, Samuel N. Taylor, manager. Lee Etting later became secretary ; in 1914 Lee Etting was president and secretary and Julius Boeck, manager. This factory ran until 1918, when it closed for a time, and was purchased by The Donald Co., who did not thereafter operate it as a candy factory.

Not long after that time The Raymore Candy Co. came to Grand Island and opened a jobbing candy house at Fourth and Walnut, in 1919. Albert W. Raymore, Murry C. Alexander and Chas. H. Justice are the incorporators of the Raymore Candy Co.

Moving Picture Industry

Only a few years ago, moving pictures were in the one-reel experimental stage. But now when this industry has grown to a point where it is the fifth greatest industry in the United States, Grand Island has kept pace with her record, and is becoming the distributing point for this part of the state in this line. Most of the great producing companies in the business maintain a film exchange in either Omaha or Kansas City, from which the films are shipped to the theatres in this part of the state. But the following article, published in The Independent in May, 1919, shows the progress Grand Island has made in this rapidly growing industry, and within the near future Grand Island may possess film exchanges from which the pictures can be distributed throughout Central Nebraska:

From being merely a large and lively division point on the Union Pacific and a stopover for cross-country motorists or show troupes. Grand Island has gradually been growing into a metropolis for a huge section of central Nebraska during the past few years.

This has been shown, for example, in the automobile and accessory business in which lines local dealers are the distributors for a great stretch of territory. In some instances the dealers here are distributors for several states. In groceries Grand Island supplies an immense area and this is true as well in fruit. Horses sold on the local market go to the southern states from which buyers travel here weekly. In paper goods the local houses supply communities many dozens of miles distant.

While on the topic of Grand Island's prominent position in Nebraska it might seem trivial and irrelevant to mention that the film, "Bolshevism on Trial," was screened at a private sitting in the Lyda theatre Thursday. The spectators included a group of local business men and also exhibitors from a number of towns in nearby counties.

But this private screening is not just an incident. It is both a development and a proof of the city's increasing importance. It wasn't the first film to be privately screened here, although perhaps it was the first which others than exhibitors and their friends witnessed. The "outsiders" were invited to appear merely

During the past two or three months films have been screened privately here by the exchanges in order that exhibitors from this and towns in a radius of 50 miles or so might decide if they wanted these pictures, and for how long a run they wanted to sign up. These private exhibitons have been held at different theatres. This system of selling pictures is, because of Grand Island's standing in the state, gradually supplanting the former method of salesmanship through illustrated advertisement or through the oratory of traveling agents.

Local Picturb Industry

About eleven years ago, the Jewel theatre, with a seating capacity of about 300, opened at 106 East Third. The Lyric, the first picture theatre, was nmning at 116 S. Locust, with a seating capacity of 250, L. A. Loeb, manager.

The Michelson theatre was built about eleven years ago, at 116-118 North Pine, with Fred H. Michelson as proprietor, and John O. Becker as manager.

In 1910 G. C. Dewey owned the Jewel theatre and Cloud Smith was managing the Michelson theatre. The Lyric was still running at 116 S. Locust.

In 1911 and 1912 the Lyric, Jewel and Michelson were still operating; the Lyda had been opened on West Third by S. A. Hayman, and the Empress theatre had been opened on North Locust.

Soon thereafter the Jewel left the stage, and in 1914-15 the Empress, Lyric, Lyda and Michelson were continuing and the Majestic, a new theatre built on west Second across the street from the postoffice, appeared. J. A. Woostenholm, in 1918, remodeled and enlarged this playhouse until it is one of the most beautiful huoses in the state. The moving picture, vaudeville and stock company theatres for the past four years have been, the Empress, managed by W. D. Fisher, the Michelson, managed by F. M. Mitchell, the Majestic and the Lyda continuing under their same managements.

The Automobile Industry

paramount importance not only throughout the country, but especially to Grand Island and Hall County is the automobile industry, with its kindred branches, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, tires, batteries, and various accessory lines.

When it is reflected that Nebraska has now over 250,000 automobiles in use, with scores being added to the list practically every day, and that the state possesses the greatest per capita ownership of cars of any state in the Union, one for less than every seven persons, this, the second or third greatest industry in the country, ranking up next to agriculture and vying with the transportation (railroad, steamships and electric lines), its importance becomes emphasized.

During March, 1919, a few enterprising auto dealers in Grand Island conceived the idea of arranging an auto show, and the same was arranged and prepared upon very short notice. Just prior to this first show, which will no doubt become an annual aiTair increasing yearly in size and importance, the Inde- - pendent prepared an article upon the history of the automobile business which so fully covered that subject that it is worthy of being incorporated in this work to cover that phase of the industrial history of Hall County :

Only a few weeks ago The Independent's news columns related that the Grand Island dealers in automobiles, in tractors and all other motor-driven machinery or vehicles had met and decided to put on an automobile show at the auditorium. In an incredibly short time these dealers have arranged for a complete and splendid exhibit. It will begin on Wednesday and continue throughout the week.

The story of the development and growth of the automobile business in Grand Island is really a most interesting one. The first dealer The Independent recalls was also a manufacturer. This dealer was Mr. Albert Lykke, a mechanic who is still a resident of the city. His was not the first car, if we recall correctly. Dr. Kirby, more recently of Kearney, had the first horseless carriage or "benzine buggy" as it was also called, and many there were who ridiculed the idea of a doctor depending on a contraption like that, steered by a sort of handle, to get to his patients. God pity the poor sufferers in many cases ! Why, a machine like that couldn't run through mud when the roads were wet, or sand if they were dry ! And what would he do if the gasoline would run out or catch fire 1 Incidentally this car, a two-seated affair, much of the size and appearance of the present Ford runabout, but, if the recollection is correct, without a top, was later destroyed by fire, but not until it had been in use several years. Mr. Lykke made his own machine, gasolene engine and all. It was a decidedly creditable and ingenious piece of work.

Mr. Lykke was, and, indeed, is yet to be, complimented for it. But the muffler cut out was not then perfected and the vehicle naturally did some quite audible "chug-chuggin." In those days ever more than today - and it is bad enough even now - there was a disposition to regard a newspaper as common property especially for voicing complaints and grievances by individuals against other individuals, using the newspaper editor or reporter as a shield or screen. Moreover the average equine, a long line of ancestry having been accustomed to seeing carriages move only when drawn by their kind, showed a fervid determination to dash through the first handy plate glass window upon seeing a buggy move along without power. It was something mystifying to Old Dobbins and terrifying to young Dobbins. It was super-equine! It was uncanny! And to the horse-perception the entire apparition, upon coming nearer, and upon evidencing explosion after explosion, it was - it was - well, it was good night for his horseship! He didn't - and Mrs. Horse was not a whit more composed - care where he was going if only he was on the way. Owners and drivers of horses, as a fnatter of course, protested. Many complaints were thus made to the newspapers. It was a newspaper's duty, the complainants alleged, to propergander against such devilish inventions. Regulations councilmanic were proposed, and some found their way into enactment. But gradually an additional car, and another, and another, appeared. With them came the mufiler, the pneumatic tire, and - well, take a long jump and you'll be at the opening of the show next Wednesday.

But before getting away from the first days of the automobile in Grand Island the narrator recalls an incident that will be interesting^ in view of the practice of the medical profession today. When Dr. Kirby initiated the revolution already chronicled, the lamented Dr.

Henry D. Boyden had just developed a large and lucrative practice. At his home place, the present Chas. G. Ryan residence, he always kept two fine, fast coach horses. Dr. Boyden was a man of much energy and concentration of purpose. He lost no time in answering calls. His purchases of locomotive power - equines - were always with that point in view. He spared no investment in horse flesh. Big, strong, long-limbed fellows were his choice. The reporter interviewed Dr. Boyden on ihe subject of the preferable mode of covering territory - the buzz wagon or the well bred horse. For a long time Dr. Boyden, perhaps partly because of an acquired love of a good equine outfit, adhered faithfully to the latter. Today - but today no physician is without one or more of the horseless carriages.

Perhaps as many as several hundred cars were sold in Grand Island by "local agents" without "stock cars" or a regular place now called a garage. Among such agents were Lee Huff, connected with the telephone company, now state agent for the Buicks at Omaha. One of the first firms going extensively into the business was W. H. Harrison & Sons. This was not earlier than 1910. It was a side business, the firm retaining as the main business that of lumber and coal. The Harrison Battery Station is the successor, established in 1915. It is the Willard service station, and distributor for nine counties. It also distributes car loads from the factory to points in Wyoming and Colorado.

E. H. Brandes, with E. A. Brandes as manager, established the first large special building and garage in 1913. He came to this city from Hastings, although originally from Minneapolis, and after looking over the city and its railroad facilities, decided that it was a good point for an automobile distribution business. He believed people would quickly learn to buy their cars at home from an established house rather than from individual agents or directly at Omaha. A large building was erected for him at Second and Pine streets. The business rapidly grew until now he is occupying three separate buildings, covering combined floor space of 19,460 feet and has thirty employees. Out of the sales department over 600 Willys-Knight and Overland cars were sold during 1918, 250 of which were driven out of Grand Island to the various dealers over the territory. The firm also handles the Franklin and Packard cars and the Commerce trucks. It has complete repair shop and a battery repair shop. All kinds of accessories are handled as also the

The Cummings Motor Car company was established in 1912. It has 15,000 feet of ground floor. It is agent for the Raulang electric and the Chandler Six car.

The Glass-Evans Auto company organized with V. E. Evans as president, J. B. Glass as secretary-treasurer, Bert E. Watson as superintendent, and E. C. Burger as vice-president in 1911. They are agents for the Ford car and the Fordson tractor. They also conduct a wholesale accessory business. A year ago they completed a fine building and occupy 28,000 square feet of floor space. The building has a capacity of 200 cars and was erected at a cost of $75,000.

The Grand Island Rubber Works, with H. M. Watson proprietor, began business in 1910 repairing tires. Since then it has taken on the agency for the Exide storage battery and auto accessories. It is the Diamond Tire service station.

William Goettsche, agent for the Harley- Davidson motorcycle and bicycles, together with accessories for the same, established himself in business in 1913 and is rapidly expanding his line. Mr. Goettsche will display a picture showing the first American soldier who crossed the border into Germany after the armistice was signed. This soldier went across on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Mr. Goettsche has been the agent for this motor for Merrick, Adams and Howard counties as well as for Hall.

The Everhart Rubber Works, with V. R. Everhart proprietor, established a service station in 1915 for the Goodyear and Miller tires. It also carries a line of accessories.

F. F. Kanert also has a large garage in the A. O. U. W. building, beginning business in 1914. He bought out the Harrison & Reid agency and handles the Auburn, Grant, and Maxwell cars besides doing a general repair business. Long prior to 1914 Mr. Kanert was recognized as one of the best auto mechanics in the country and drove the first Maxwell ever brought to the city.

The first Oldsmobile truck to come to Grand Island will be in the show and the Messrs. Dunn and Butler, of the local firm, expect to ship them to Grand Island in corload lots soon. The Oldsmobile Motor company, with J. M. Dunn as manager, began business in 1917. It is agent for the Oldsmobile and Federal trucks. Mr. Dunn came to this city from Lincoln.

for the Dodge cars and Republic trucks. They cover ten counties. This firm recently purchased the Boyden residence property at Second and Sycamore for $15,000 and expect to erect a garage and sales building in 1920 equal if not superior to any in this part of the state.

H. P. Hansen established an agency for the Reo cars and trucks in 1914. Mr. Hansen was formerly in the retail business but finds the automobile decidedly more fascinating.

The Gibbs Automobile company is one of the largest concerns of the city, comprising George Gibbs and Ed Guthman. It began business in 1916. It is the agent for the Studebaker car and covers sixteen counties. Mr. Guthman came to this city from Salt Lake City. Mr. Gibbs is an old Grand Island man, and has been very successful in the new business.

The Richey-Freeman Auto company has just begun business with W. O. Ritchey, recently of York, and C. B. Freeman, George Fleming, and L. \V. Van Horn, of western Nebraska, interested. They are the agents for the Buick and the Dort cars. Arrangements are being made for the erection of one of the finest garage buildings in the city next year, at Third and Kimball avenues on the old Pierce livery barn location.

The Grand Island Motor company, consisting of William Cords and John Sass, began business in 1918 and handle the Chevrolet cars and Allis-Chalmers tractors.

The Nielson Auto company, with Niels E. Nielson proprietor, began business in 1916 and handles the Nash and Allen cars and trucks. It also does a general garage and repair business.

The Grand Island Tire & Rubber company, with Roy E. Geise proprietor, began business in 1918, Mr. Geise coming to this city from Council Blufl^s. He handles all kinds of auto accessories and U. S. and Fisk tires.

The Gates Half Sole service station, with C. A. Lee proprietor, began business in 1919, coming to this city from Omaha. Mr. Lee is confi<lent that the automobile and accessory business of the Third City will grow with more rapid strides than any other industry.

Recently Fred Gilbert has taken the district agency for a large number of counties for the Maxwell line and established a distributing house at 415 West Third. F. F. Kaner is removing to California. Farm Power Co. is handling Fordson tractors next door west of Glass-Evans Co. Worth Alexander has a garage at 222 Fourth street. The Roy Brown garage at 524 E. Fourth street is another north side garage. (Other north side garages are the Highline garage at 417 West Fourth and Zlomke garage on North Pine street.) The importance of the taxi business to a city the size of Grand Island which is without a street car system may be realized by the fact that at times as high as sixty-two taxi licenses have been in effect in the city. The Koehler Taxi Line (C. B. Havens Transfer Co.), Grand Island Taxi company, Mcintosh Taxi Lines, are companies that operate several cars apiece, and there are two or three dozen individuals operating one or more cars for this purpose. Nielsen & Petersen have had constructed a large moving truck that can carry up to two or three tons of household goods or other loads, if they desire to load it so heavily. Central Storage Co., Jim Hughes, Roy Brown, have good sized moving and transfer trucks now. Moving across country is becoming more common as the roads improve. In 1918 several parties moved their household goods between Grand Island and Lincoln by truck and van. This method saves from two to three handlings of the goods and eliminates a great deal of packing. The Manhattan, and B. & I. Oil companies have had branch distributing stations here for some time. The Standard Oil company built a splendid filling station at the southeast corner of Second and Pine. The Manhattan Oil company is just completing a splendid, ornamental station at the corner of Second and \Mieeler. The Sinclair Oil company is searching for a suitable location, and a station is soon to be built on the familiar triangle between Locust, Wheeler, and Division, where the Linderman residence stands by the B. & L. Oil company. The importance of these establishments is effectually emphasized by their acquisition and ability to profitably use some of the most valuable business corner locations in the city.

Other automobile businesses in this city, handled in the past and not heretofore mentioned, have been, W. E. Rownd, 221 East Third, automobile accessories, repairs and livery, as early as 1902 ; C. J. Donner & Son,

114 S. Pine street; Hart Gun Co., 103 East Third, as early as 1908 and 1909 ; Branaman Bros, operated under that name at the present Brandes location in 1911 and 1912; Upperman & Leiser and Henry Stratman were then handling automobiles as well as agricultural implements. There were three garages in the city in 1911, the Cummings, Harrison & Reid, and Rownd. E. R. Farmer operated in 1914 at 116 W. Fourth, but has sold this garage since then.^. The Independent Garage Co., 224 East Fourth, Jarvis Auto Co., 120 East Second, and Western Auto Exchange, 114 South Pine, were also operating in 1914. In 1919 there were the Dahlstrom garage, now the Gibbs Auto Co. garage, Graham Auto Co., 109 East Second, which handled the Buick for this territory. Upon Mr. Graham's death in 1918 the Buick agency was taken over by Ritchey-Freeman Co. and the Brandes garage was the successful bidder for this location, in which they placed their repair shop and accessory salesroom. C. H. Sems was at 121 North Cedar, Walters & Marsh at 112 South Pine, the Tire Hospital at 115 North Second, and Third City Auto Co., at 118 South Wheeler.

In addition to the wonderful growth and multiplicity of makes of automobiles from which the purchaser of this day has to choose, there are already something like two hundred makes of trucks and a similar number of tractors on the market, with more being offered each month. A short discussion of the general growth of the automobile and kindred industries, written by V. E. Evans, of the Glass-Evans company, in April, 1919, is herewith offered :

Ten years ago the automobile business was in its infancy and a few of us that were so engaged were classed with the village blacksmith, absolutely no credit, and for places of business we generally had to occupy some old abandoned shack, generally the worst appearing building in the town, and when you called upon one of these places of business you expected to see as its manager a greasy man V, ith his overalls and jumpers sufficiently saturated that they would almost stand alone. Now we think this a fair interpretation of the pioneer garage man. The contrast of them today is so great that it would almost seem like an impossibility for so great a transformation to take place, in face of the fact that the business was so inadequately equipped in the beginning, and today we stand foremost in the cities and villages throughout our countn,' as a representative business.

The possibilities of the business and its permanency was conceived by a progressive class of business men who took upon their shoulders to establish the business that was heretofore considered very treacherous to the country's finances. The bankers who have always been admitted to be the country's foremost financial advisors, were against and discouraged their customers in buying automobiles, mainly refusing to loan money for their purchase. Conscientious no doubt, in their convictions, but verj' mistaken in their ideas, which has been proved by the thousands of cars that have been delivered, and yet the financial conditions are better today than they have ever been in our history.

Throughout the state of Nebraska the car dealers have the best buildings, and most upto-date places of business of any state in the union, and my experience has been that as a rule they have better systems and service installed than the average merchant of today.

When a country becomes so commercially industrious as ours it is a continuous race against time, and every time-saving device that can be installed finds a ready market and I can cheerfully say that the automobile saves more time than any other invention today.

The automobiles of today carry more people to and from their industries and work in the cities than the street cars. In the city of Chicago today, it would be impossible for the street cars and elevated lines to carry the traffic were it not for the automobiles. This would necessitate the building of a subway which would cost millions, and in New York where they have the subway, surface and

Taking the rural districts into consideration. Throughout the summer months, when the farmer's time means money to him, think of the inconveniences of not being equipped with an automobile when it is necessary for him to make as high as eight or ten trips a week to the city to purchase repairs and materials to successfully carry on his business. If he had to resort to a slow team of horses, it would require a half day to make the same trip which now requires only one hour with an auto, and especially during the acute shortage of farm labor which we experienced last summer. There ought not be any question in your mind as to the importance of the automobile and its duties.

Our great country has in its bounds 5,000,000 automobiles today, owned and operated by our most progressive business men with a carrying capacity of one-fourth of our entire population. In other words, we have sufficient auto conveyance to transport 25,- 000,000 passengers over one hundred miles in any one day, and under the very hoods of these cars is a representative power of approximately 150,000,000 horse power, which is three times greater than all the other motive powers combined. This enormous growth has taken place in the last ten years and ought to be convincing evidence of the automobile industry and its permanency.

Motor trucks less than two years ago made their first appearance in our community. Today they are shown by all of the leading firms of our city, as well as others throughout the state and many of them enjoyed the sales of 40 or 50 trucks during the season; they also have proved themselves beyond a possible doubt, as essential as the automobile. Every farmer, as well as merchant, can no doubt realize a great saving in their use when he has an occasion to haul a load.

Within a radius of 50 miles of Omaha there is more live stock delivered to Omaha stock market with motor trucks than by railroad. With our national system of highways completed, which is the crying need of our land, the tonnage transportation of trucks will exceed that of railways.

General Coleman Dupont, in a recent address to the farmers on the high cost of living and its relations to the distribution of farm products on good roads, made the statement that can hardly be disputed, when he said that more than 5,000,000,000 tons of freight pass over the highways of this country with

In the year 1917 there was manufactured and delivered approximately 190,000 trucks, as compared with 250,000 during 1917 and with an estimated production of 290,000 during 1919, is a very satisfactory growth enjoyed by the truck manufacturers. The above figures alone ought to eliminate any question in your mind as to your transportation problem.

The evolution of farm power from ox teams of the early settlers to the tractor of the modern farmer has taken place also within the last few years, and since the introduction of the first tractor there has been such a growing demand that the industry itself has been unable to cope with the situation. The final manifestation of this is the powerful, economical and efficient power-farming machinery, therefore, again we have demonstrated the further need of motive power.

The farmer that can fill up his tractor with a few gallons of kerosene and proceed with the proper seeding of two or three hundred acres of land, and in this manner increase his acreage 4 or 5 hundred per cent over horsepower, ought not to be blamed for investing his money in a farm tractor, and throughout the very intense heat of the summer season, when it is most necessary to harvest crops in order to save them, is able to do the same amount of work that he could do in cooler parts of the year but would be impossible for him to perform with horse-power.

I have endeavored in the above three articles in treating on automobiles, trucks and farm tractors, to prove to you that the automobile business is permanent, and our lines answer the needs of as many wants and essentials as any mercantile business in existence, but. which was heretofore scoffed at and was considered a luxury and detrimental to the public welfare.

Bicycle Industry

The importance of Grand Island, with its network of railroads centering here, as a distributing point for the state has again been recognized. This time the city has been chosen as the central distributing point for the entire state, outside of Omaha and Douglas counties, for distributing bicycles and motorcycles. As a result the first carload shipments of bicycles and motorcycles

E. A. Brandes has signed a contract with the :\Iiama Bicycle Co. of Middletown, Ohio, for the 1920 season that gives the Grand Island office the entire state outside of Douglas county, or 92 counties in all. The first shipment is to be received September 1st and is .to be a carload or 350 bicycles. This is double the territory had by the Brandes people the past year. This is the first time a carload of bicycles ever was shipped here. It will be the first time a carload ever was shipped to any city in the state outside of Omaha.

J. B. Shelton, local manager for Brandes, states the company also will have the same territory for distribution of Indian and Excelsior motorcycles. The past year the local office handled the territory west of Lincoln. The motorcycles are to be received here in carload lots, the first carloads of motorcycles to come to any city except Omaha.

The growing importance of the bicycle is shown by the fact that 500 pairs of bicycle tires, or 1,000 tires, were sold here by Brandes last year and 3,000 this year. During 1920 fully 5,000 bicycle tires will be handled here. The sales of bicycles are increasing, Mr. Shelton stating the sales last year were double those of the previous year, and this year were twice the number sold last year. A few years ago bicycle sales were scarce comparatively but the war started an increase in the use of the bicycle as a matter of economy in transportation. Many men in this city who own cars bought bicycles to use in place of their cars for going back and forth between office and home. The use of the "wheel" by the women came back into style last year as well. Five times as many women's bicycles were sold this past year as had been sold in the previous five years altogether, Shelton says.

William Goettsche who conducts Goettsche's motorcycle and bicycle shop, also states that business in that line is growing with great rapidity. He has the distribution of Harley- Davidson bicycles and motorcycles for a number of counties and at this time has shipments due which will be larger than any shipments in the past. He also does a big accessory

"It is only to be expected that this city should become a large distributing point," he remarked. "No city in the state is better equipped, so far as railroad lines are concerned, to send goods to other places in the state."

In anticipation of increasing business and to handle better the present large volume, he has rented the rooms formerly occupied by William Veit's grocery, as a repair shop. All of his repair work will be handled there and his old shop will be devoted to use as a display room only. The repair shop has occupied the rear part of his shop.

Goettsche has sold more bicycles this year than ever before in one year. Not only has his sales been large but the factory office has notified him that his sales have been larger than in any other city of similar size in the LTnited States,. and larger than in any city in the United States from the point of sales per population.

Grand Island Abro Company

A new transportation industry which has perhaps been expedited a generation or so through the necessary advances made during the great war just closed, is the aeroplane industry. Through the initative of Lieut. Lloyd G. Thompson, who served during the war as an aviator in France and an aviation instructor in Italy, Grand Island has furnished the first aeroplane company to be incorporated in the state of Nebraska. The Grand Island Aero Company was incorporated in June, 1919, for $25,000 with E. L. Brown president, Lester Schuff, vice-president, A. E. Cady, Jr., treasurer, E. C. Burger, secretary, and Lloyd G. Thompson, general manager. Lieutenant

.Thompson and his fellow aviators direct and make the flights. This company immediately ordered a Curtiss aeroplane which arrived July 7th, and since then exhibition, passenger, and business flights are being made regularly. Scheduled flights have successfully been made over the various towns in central Nebraska. . This company secured the agency for a territory comprising almost half of the state, and before it had been in operation a month Manager Thompson organized the Ord Aero Club, which has already ordered a Curtiss machine, and since then about ten machines have been sold. The effect of this concern is likely to be very important for Grand Island in the future, as it will tend to secure for the city the same advantage as a supply, storage, and general utility station on the various transcontinental aerial routes already being planned that the city has secured in matter of railroads and highways for motor transportation. Lieutenant Thompson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Thompson. He was bom, raised, and educated in Grand Island, attended schools in this country and in Italy, graduated from the Creighton College of Law, was admitted and entered the practice of law with his father when the great war was well under way. Without waiting for the United States to enter, he secured admission to an aerial instruction camp in England and was in the aviation service when the American doughboys and aviators arrived in France. Upon his return he re-entered the practice and also ,took this step that furnished to Grand Island a good "head-start" in aviation industry, that will undoubtedly develop rapidly in the next few years. While Lieutenant Thompson was ,in the service, his wife, Aimee Schwynn ^Thompson, studied shorthand and assisted in ,the law office of Thompson and Thompson.