History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 38

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011

USA > Nebraska > Hall County > History of Hall County, Nebraska > Part 38

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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 Cen- tral 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 fifty carloads of horses, e

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with outside pens opposite the barns to accom- modate 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 princi- pal 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 incorpora- tion were filed for the Grand Island Horse and Mule Co. by John Torpey, Wm. S. Fletcher, and Arthur H. Langman, with a capital stock

GRAND ISLAND HORSE AND MULE CO. PLANT Second largest in the world

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 secretary- treasurer.

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 pro- visions were made to take over the I. C. Gallup stock and interest in salesbarns at the Union Stock Yards in Grand Island at inven- tory price.

THE HORSE MARKET IN 1914

During 1914 a little paper was published,

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, secretary- treasurer), auction sales every Monday until May first, after May first every other Mon- day; Grand Island Horse and Mule Co. (H. H. Hoops, president, A. C. Scott, vice-presi- dent, John Torpey, secretary-treasurer), auc- tion sales every Tuesday, giving John Torpey also as general manager, and W. I Blain as auctioneer for this company ; North & Robin- son Co., importers and breeders of Percheron, Belgian, and Shire stallions and mares, an- nual 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 Brad- street & 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 in- dividually; Arthur H. Langman, with Brad- street & Clemens Co. and operating individu- ally; 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. Troel- strup, president and W. W. Wimberly, secre- tary to Blain Horse, Mule & Cattle Co. This company is still successfully operating upon the Grand Island horse market, gle

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THE 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 barn burned down in 1918 and is be- ing rapidly rebuilt.

WHOLESALE HOUSES

Grand Island is attaining an enviable posi- tion 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 Hill & Hunter ; Heath & Wallichs were whole- salers of paper and J. W. Liveringhouse for creamery supplies. Mention has been made in numerous places in this chapter and the com- mercial chapter of the "wholesaling" activities of various enterprises in the city. The Platt Manufacturing Co. operated about 1890 as manufacturers and wholesalers for candies. N. D. Platt was president, J. Z. Platt, secre- tary-treasurer, and Hugh Platt business mana- ger 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, vice- president, and C. D. Woodward, secretary. M. L. Birney was associated with them. About 1899 the Donald-Porter bought out the estab- lished 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 suc-

cessor The Donald Co. have built up a whole- sale grocery business that very succeessfully 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

DONALD CO.

IMPORTERIC

THE DONALD COMPANY BUILDING

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 Min- ton-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 com- pany.

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 oper- ated 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.

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C. C. Hansen then bought out the Lane interests, and was elected secretary and treas- urer of the company, A. E. Cary, Sr., being continued as president. The first home of the Nebraska Mercantile Company of Grand Is- land 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 re- quired 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 practic- ally a total loss of the stock and building. The

NEBRASKA MERCANTILE COMPANY BUILDING, GRAND ISLAND

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 con- tinues in that capacity. G. M. Southmayd, with whom Mr. Jones had embarked in the jobbing grocery business at Omaha in 1899 un- der the name of Jones-Southmayd Co., fol- lowed 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 cer- vice in guiding the affairs of this company re-

tired as president, and C. C. Hansen succeeded him. On May 25, 1917, the house at St. Paul was consolidated with the Grand Island cor- poration. 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 presi- dent, E. L. Brown, vice-president and manag- er, 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 in- creased 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 conven- ience. 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 Ne- braska 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-presi- dent, and J. D. Webster, secretary and treas- urer.

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 presi- dent, 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 in- corporators of the Raymore Candy Co.

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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 busi- ness 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 rap- idly growing industry, and within the near future Grand Island may possess film ex- changes from which the pictures can be dis- tributed throughout Central Nebraska :

From being merely a large and lively divi- sion point on the Union Pacific and a stop- over 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 sup- ply communities many dozens of miles distant.

Most recently among such industries has been organized a packing company which promises to give the city a substantial boost.

While on the topic of Grand Island's prom- ment 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 bus- iness 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

because the film pretends to show what Bol- shevism would mean to this country.

During the past two or three months films have been screened privately here by the ex- changes 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 PICTURE 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 running 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 run- ning 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 en- larged this playhouse until it is one of the most beautiful huoses in the state. The mov- ing 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

An industry that bids fair to become of

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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 ac- cessory 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.

With the growth of this industry, the im- portance of Grand Island as the hub of a large area of Nebraska also 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 affair increas- ing 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 Wed- nesday 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 Kear- ney, 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! 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 nat- urally did some quite audible "chug-chug- gin." In those days ever more than today - and it is bad enough even now - there was a disposition to regard a newspaper as com- mon 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 mys- tifying to Old Dobbins and terrifying to young Dobbins. It was super-equine! It was un- canny! 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 matter of course, protested. Many complaints were thus made to the newspapers. It was a news- paper'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 muffler, 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 revolu- tion already chronicled, the lamented Dr.

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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 the 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 com- pany, now state agent for the Buicks at Omaha. One of the first firms going ex- tensively into the business was W. H. Harri- son & 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 man- ager, established the first large special build- ing and garage in 1913. He came to this city from Hastings, although originally from Min- neapolis, and after looking over the city and its railroad facilities, decided that it was a good point for an automobile distribution bus- iness. 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 build- ing 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 Over- land cars were sold during 1918, 250 of which were driven out of Grand Island to the var- ious 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

Indian, Excelsior, and Henderson motorcycles and a complete line of bicycles.

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-pres- ident in 1911. They are agents for the Ford car and the Fordson tractor. They also con- duct a wholesale accessory business. A year ago they completed a fine building and occupy 28,000 square feet of floor space. The bulid- ing 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 him- self in business in 1913 and is rapidly expand- ing 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.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 38

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 1011

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011