Platte Co., NE Businesses

Platte Co., NE Businesses NEGenWeb Project PLATTE CO. NEBRASKA BUSINESSES

The Columbus Journal, August 17, 1904
A COLUMBUS WHOLESALE HOUSE
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ABTS & CALTO'S GROCERY STOCK
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A Successful Jobbing House--Firms of This Kind Make Cities Out of Country Towns.
--------     "Abts and Calto have one of the finest and cleanest stocks in the country." This remark was a part of a conversation between two travelling men in Columbus last week.
    A Journal reporter went to the large ware rooms of Abts and Calto on west Thirteenth street to find out why strangers should be hauling bouquets of this kind to a Columbus firm.
    A very brief visit sufficed to make the reason clear.
    Mr. Calto, the office manager of the firm, conducted us from the light, cool basement of the building which is kept as clean as the kitchen floor of the most particular housewife to the third floor, packed with merchandise hoisted there by means of an elevator that has a capacity of 4,000 pounds.
    Everything in groceries and provisions, from cigars to tea and coffee is to be found in this building, arranged in the most systematic order.
    Cigars, 200,000 of them; 80,000 pounds of sugar; jellies and syrups in carload lots from the Davenport Glucose Sugar Refining company; carloads of cider vinegar from Leavenworth, Kansas, that stands the test of the pure food law of the state; hundreds of boxes of canned corn and tomatoes, that should be canned in Columbus, and will be when we get the power canal; these are a few of the articles that help to make up the $40000 stock that is kept constantly on hand by this firm to be distributed to the towns along the railroads tributary to Columbus.
    Mr. Abts is kept constantly on the road, selling goods. He goes as far west as Grand Island; south to Wahoo and Stewart; northwest to Spalding and Albion; and north to Norfolk, making all of his territory every three weeks and a part of it every two weeks.
    The adaptability of Columbus as a center for jobbers is well illustrated by the success of the firm of Abts & Calto. Mr. Calto says that the business on their books at the end of each month this year is greatly in excess of that of corresponding months of the previous years.
    The business of Abts & Calto is not confined to outside towns. They enjoy a large business from the local retail merchants. And the reputation that Columbus merchants have all over the state for low prices may be due in large measure to the presence here of a first class jobbing house, that saves freight for Columbus merchants and forces the prices of competing wholesalers down to the lowest point.
    Columbus needs more jobbing houses like the one of Abts & Calto and more factories to increase the productions of wealth.

The Columbus Journal, August 24, 1904
SECOND BIG MERCANTILE DEAL
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GARRETT HULST SELLS STORES
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Everything but Drug Store Sold to E. B. Dunham of Lincoln.
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    One or the largest business transfers in the history of Columbus was negotiated last week. The large department store of Garrett Hulst was transferred to E. B. Dunham of Lincoln. The transfer includes everything but the Hulst pharmacy, which Mr. Hulst will continue under the management of Louis Schreiber, Jr. The deal was negotiated by F. K. Strother, who a few weeks ago brought about the McWilliams-Wrin transfer. The trade represents a sum of money well up in the thousand, the exact amount not being known until after the invoice which will be completed the Last of this week. Mr. Dunham announces that he will retain the entire force of clerks formerly employed in the business.
    The new owner is a man who has amassed a snug fortune in the mercantile business in Nebraska, and he brings with him therefore a fund of valuable experience as well as ample capital, to insure for him a successful business career in Columbus.
    Garrett Hulst has made hosts of friends in Columbus who regret to see him retire from business and who will be glad to hear of the announcement of his intention to continue his residence in Columbus.
    The invoice is being pushed along rapidly, Ed Streeter of Omaha invoicing the groceries; John Nolan of the Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis, the hardware; and Mr. Eaton, of M. E. Smith and Co., Omaha, the dry goods. They are assisted by C. L. Dunham and J. W. Rogers and F. A. Brannick of Farnam, also by David Newman and Irve Speico of Columbus.
    The journal welcomes the new firm to the city and predicts for them a large measure of prosperity.

The Columbus Tribune, December 29, 1909
We are pleased to announce to the public that at the beginning of the year 1910, that an enterprise, new to the Western States, and certainly to this community, will be opened up, which we trust will be a new era in the manufacturing business for this city. We refer to the factory just opened up by the Fontein Bros. Piano Manufacturing Company, for which we have every reason to believe will be a grand success. They have severed their relations with Schmoeller & Mueller Piano company of Omaha, and will now be located on Thirteenth street. These young men come well recommended, as practical piano builders, able to construct a piano from ground up. At the present time, they will purchase all of the parts going into pianos from the best factories in the country. Mr. Wm. Fontein, having spent several weeks visiting the different factories throughout the East, where he secured material and made contracts for material from the best factories in the country. They anticipate building two grades of pianos. The highest grade will be composed of the best material and workmanship there can be put into an instrument, and in fact, the lower will be better than the average pianos that are sold today through out the country, as the company refuses to permit any cheap material or labor to go into the instrument to be manufactured. Certainly a great advantage will be given to the public who are buying instruments from time to time, as they can visit the factory and see for themselves just what is being put into the instrument and can have an instrument manufactured to their entire taste, and finished as they may desire. It is now up to the public to show their appreciation for the enterprise of these young men and those who are assisting them in what may be to Columbus a valuable institution in the way of advertising as well as employment of high grade workmen.

The Columbus Tribune, January 4, 1911
THE YEAR IN COLUMBUS.
Brief Summary of Results of Year's Work in the City and County--A Steady, Established Growth.
    The year 1910 has been a prosperous one for the people of Columbus and of Platte county. Although the rainfall has been but about thirteen inches, or one-half the normal, the farmers have been blessed with abundant crops. True, the prices for these crops are not what they should be, nor are they as good as they have been the past few years, but that is not a local condition, and our farmers have fared very well--better than have the farmers in some communities--and they seem to be happy and prosperous, and without prosperous farmers we cannot have prosperous townspeople.
    The conditions of mercantile trade in the cities and towns is one of the very best barometers of the prosperity of the people. The merchants report a good, brisk holiday trade, and this indicates that both the farmers and city people have money for necessities, and also for luxuries.
    The past year has seen a number of changes in the business life of the city. Among the more noticeable changes the following may be noted:
    Perhaps the most noticeable change is the retiring of the Fitzpatrick family from active business life. This house was established in 1879, by E.D. Fitzpatrick, who gave the business his personal attention until his death in 1905. Since that time the business was carried on by the members of the family until their retirement within the past year. The house so long occupied by them is now used by Wood Smith with his five-and ten-cent store. Mr. Smith and his family came here last fall from Fullerton, where he had been in the furniture and undertaking business. Since coming to Columbus he has proven to be a "live wire," and has made himself felt in the business life of the city.
    A year ago W.E. Rohrich had just taken possession of the Eleventh street notion store, which he had purchased of Seth Braun. He remained in this place about eight months when he sold it to D.H. Gipe, who, for two years, had been conducting a general merchandise store at Monroe. Mr. Gipe took possession of this store on August 27, and is enjoying a thriving business.
    When 1910 opened, Carl Schubert was the proprietor of a sporting goods and repair house on Olive street, where he had been for a number of years. During the year he sold this business to the F.H. Rudat Co., who moved it to the Schroeder building on Tlefth [sic] street. Mr. Schubert then opened a second-hand store in his old stand, which he afterward sold to W.E. Rohrich.
    Early in the year Mr. Schumbert built the Eagle Cafe, which was conducted by J.E. Hayes for a few weeks, and was later taken in charge by Mr. Schubert himself, and he with members of his family, now conduct the house.
    Another place for the accommodation of the hungry people is the "Spa" at the Y.M.C.A. building. This place is conducted by an enterprising young son of Japan, Masa Mikuni, who has built up a good business in the few months he has been here.
    There was one line of business that Columbus never had had until this year, and that was a tea and coffee store, but this year a house of this kind was opened by Mr. and Mrs. J. Herr, of Chicago. The house is located in one of the Harms buildings on Twelfth street.
    At the beginning of the year the Columbus Auto Co. was located in the Cover building on Eleventh street, but last spring they moved into a building of their own, on Thirteenth street. During the year the partnership between E.B. Feaster and A.M. Jones was dissolved, Mr. Feaster remaining here, and Mr. Jones removing to York, where he is engaged in the same business.
    Two new automobile agencies have been established during the year--Fulmer and Umland, who bought the Buick agency from Chas. H. Dack, and J.E. Dischner, who established a Cadillac agency.
    In a place with as many garages and automobile agencies are machines as there are in Columbus, it seemed that a rubber repair shop should thrive. So, last summer, William Lewejohann, of Lindsay, established the Columbus Rubber Works, which does a general repair business in all kinds of rubber goods.
    The Nebraska Fire Apparatus Co., of Omaha, established a branch house in Columbus this year, in charge of Peter Ernst. The office is in the Stires building in Union Block. They handle fire fighting apparatus and gasoline engines.
    For several years the Gray Mercantile Co. has been recognized as one of the most important department stores in this part of the state. And so it has been, and when the announcement was made last November that this company was to establish a new feature to be called the "bargain basement" the store was thronged with people to see what bargains were being offered. The innovation proved a success, as do everything the Grays undertake, and will no doubt prove an important adjunct to their already large business.
    In the professional life of the city, there have been several additions. Dr. H.J. Arnold, who had been located here for several years prior to a few years ago, returned from California, and resumed active practice here. Attorney C.N. McElfresh, who went from here to Omaha a few years ago, was also one to discover that the Columbus atmosphere was congenial to him, and he returned here with his family, and resumed the practice of his profession. Another new attorney in the city is Grover Long, who came here a short time ago and formed a partnership with C.J. Garlow.
    Not the last important addition to the business life of the city was the coming of H.D. Frankfurt, the architect, who came here from Omaha. Although Columbus already had a good architect in the person of Charles Wurdemann, it seemed that there was a good opening for another office, and as both offices have been kept busy, the indication proved correct.
    Many people had thought that Columbus was well supplied with real-estate dealers, before, but with the advent of four new firms during 1910, and each one of them doing a good business, it seems that there is much truth in the old saying that there is always room for one more. The new firms established this year are Taylor & Thomas, Karr & Newlon, A.W. Porter & Son and E.R. Francis. Some of these firms have been doing a volume of business that would do credit to a much older concern.
    Last spring, when two young men boldly announced that they were going to start a piano factory in Columbus, there were people who shook their heads and said wise things which were not wholly complimentary to the new enterprise. But the Fontein Brothers paid no attention to these discouraging remarks, and went ahead and started their factory. Today, at the end of the first year, they have made good, and are unable to supply the demands for the output of their establishment.
    About the beginning of 1910, Clarence Shaw and Charles Stevenson made up their minds that there was an opening for a rubber stamp factory in Columbus. They had noticed that many business men of the town and others were compelled to buy their rubber stamps from dealers in other cities, so they decided to establish a factory here at home. The rooms upstairs over The Tribune were secured.
    New things in the amusement line have been going right along this year, in keeping with the general prosperity of the city and its people. One of these was the installing of a motion picture show at the North theater by Manager S.A. Wilson when he took possession of the house last September.
    W.M. Brown has been in the barber business in Columbus for a number of years, and with the passing of the old year, retires from the business. The Brown shop will be occupied in the future by Samuel Bowers, who has been employed in the Jones shop for some time. Mr. Bowers is well known as a good barber, and will make good in his own shop.
    The Columbus Plumbing Co. is another new institution, established during the past year. The proprietor, Gus Lueke, has made a good start in his business, and appears to be on the highway to success.
    Last winter, two young men, named Lindell and Cook, came to Columbus and established the Columbus suitatorium. Since that time the business has passed to the hands of a Columbus boy, W.E. Post, who is now conducting it in the Niewohner building.
    One of the most important changes of the year was the incorporation of the Elliott-Speice-Echols Company, which was incorporated March 1. This company is the outgrowth of the old firm of Elliott, Speice & Co., which was established in the city a number of years ago, and is one of the strongest real estate, loan and insurance houses in this part of the state.
    During the past year, Columbus was one of the cities in the Nebraska state base ball league, and at the close of the year came out in second place. Our team also won second place in fielding and first in batting.
    Evidently there are a number of our solid substantial business men who not only are superstitious, but actually defy the witches. This appears to be the case from the fact that on Friday, the 13th, of last May, a lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was organized in Columbus. For several years Columbus had tried to secure an organizaation of this order, but not until this year did they succeed. The Elks now have a beautiful lodge home, in the Rickert building, on east Thirteenth street.
    A number of new business buildings have been erected during the year. The greater portion of the building boom this year has been on Eleventh street than there has been for several years. Among the buildings erected on that street this year may be enumerated the new building of Edward Schober, occupied by Emil Gutzmiller, as a bakery, and which cost approximately $4,200; Carl Froemel's new jewelry store, which cost about $4,600; new building for Chicago store, the figures for which are not given; and the work that has been done on the building belonging to Mrs. M.K. Turner, commonly known as the old Journal building, which cost about $2,000; C.C. Abts, office and shop, $3,000.
    On the north side of the track, very extensive improvements are also being made, the largest and most expensive of which is the new postoffice building, which is now in course of construction, and which will cost about $65,000; the new First National bank building, which has been remodelled, and which with the fixtures cost about $15,000; the new annex to the Meridian hotel, $15,000; the north annex to the Thurston hotel, $13,000; A. Dussel & Son, new building, $14,000; Henry Rickert's new building, Thirteenth and Murray, $11,000; the repairs on the Abts building following their fire of November 20, cost about $4,000; repairs on high school building, $4,500. In addition to these business improvements, extensive improvements have been made at the Catholic church, the Franciscan monastery, St. Francis Academy, and St. Mary's hospital.
    The First National Bank, in addition to re-modelling their building and making new walls, changed the interior to a large extent. Up-stairs, the rooms, formerly used by Albert & Wagner, are now occupied by Architect Frankfurt, and the one across the hall by D.W. Schaff, while Albert & Wagner have rooms facing the south near the rear of the building. The offices of the Postal telegraph company, which were on the first floor are now on the second floor. The real estate office of Porter & Son are also on this floor. In the rear of the first floor are the offices of Taylor & Thomas. In the bank, several new articles of furniture and fixtures have been installed, and a new door placed in the vault in addition to the old one, and a new Manganese steel safe installed.
    In the Meridian hotel annex, the second and third floors are used by the hotel, while the rooms on the first floor are used as office rooms by the Columbus Light, Heat and Power company, and by Dr. H.J. Arnold.
    The new addition to the Thurston hotel include twenty rooms, of which there are sixteen rooms with complete baths, and two store rooms.
    The new Dussel building has two floors and a basement, and is 44x80 feet in dimensions. The basement is used for pipe-cutting and pipe storage. Here the work is done by electricity. The show and stock rooms are on the first floor, while the third floor is reserved for a warehouse. Mr. Dussel has been in business here since 1887.
    St. Bonaventure's church and St. Francis Academy also rank among the many improvements and architectural undertakings which the city has displayed during the past year.
    The church has been beautifully frescoed, and the columns, or pillars have been remodelled so as to correspond to the other architecture, which is of the Gothic style. The nave of the church is large and spacious, and since the new pews have been added, seats about six or seven hundred. Adding the large space under the gallery, the capacity is estimated at about one thousand. Two magificent art glass windows have been placed in the sanctuary, one being presented to the parish by the Rev. Pastor, in behalf of a related benefactor, and the other is to be donated by the Young Ladies' Sodality. The window above the main portal is a donation of the Condon family in memory of their deceased parents. The beautiful new stations are also a gift from the Rev. Pastor, through the benevolence of a relative of his. The statue of St. Anthony was partly donated by the altar boys, and the statue of St. Aloysins, by one of the young men of the parish. A grand "Pieta", a figure representing the Divine Savior and his sorrowful Mother, was also donated by a lady of the parish, and is erected in the baptistry in the rear of the church.
    The old board and picket fence around the church and monastery has been replaced by a solid iron fence and concrete wall. Many other improvements have been made around the premises, such as walks, etc.
    St. Francis Academy annexed an addition extending westward from the main building. This addition cost about $25,000. The building is large and spacious, and is equipped with modern improvements and conveniences. The first floor is used exclusively for dining rooms and recreation hall; the second floor is the auditorium with a seating capacity of about five hundred. The scenes are most artistic, representing grand perspective views. The stage is amply lighted with border lights and foot lights. Two dressing rooms and wardrobes are placed at the rear of the stage. The third floor is set apart for dormitories.
    A separate extension on the north is used for kitchen and bakery. The fire esacpes are on the north side of the building.
    The installation of the heating plant, a hot vapor system, cost about three thousand dollars. Also a water heating apparatus has been installed, supplying the bath rooms and lavatories with hot water whenever required. Besides the building of the new addition, a great deal of remodelling has been done in the old building, thus making it in general a most commodious and up-to-date institution.
    The records of the secretary of the fire department show that during the year ending January 1, there have been eighteen fires in the city during the year, entailing a total loss of $30,343. Of this number, three fires caused a loss of more than $1,000 each: Union Pacific freight depot, March 29, $2,050; H.W. Abts Company, $22,000, and High School, December 1, $4,800. At three of the fires no damage was reported. This leaves a damage of $1,493 for the remaining twelve fires. Insurance to the amount of $19,769 was collected, leaving a total net loss to Columbus property owners of $10,574, of which $10,000 was on the Abts fire alone.
    Politically, Columbus has been very prominently on the map last year. Both the chairman and the vice-chairman of the democratic state committee, J.C. Byrnes and C.M. Gruenther, have their homes here, and the state headquarters of the democrats were here. Of course, this naturally attracted many democrats of state-wide reputation to the city, all the state candidates having made numerous visits here during the fall. The presence of the headquarters of a political party in a city is by no means an empty honor, for the reason that labor was furnished for a number of Columbus people as stenographers, and in addition, the committee paid nearly a thousand dollars into the Columbus post office for postage alone.
    As a convention city, Columbus has stood out prominently several times during the past year. The first convention was the state convention of the Sons of Veterans, which was held on February 15 and 16. Then, on April 22 came the convention of Group No. 2 of the state Bankers' Association. Following this was the Spanish War Veterans state encampment, on April 25 and 26, and on the 27 and 28 of the same month, Columbus entertained the state convention of commercial clubs. The last state convention was that of the sheriffs' association, which was held here on December 16.
    It had been planned by H.W. Abts & Co. to build an extensive addition to their already large house this year, but owing to the fire their plans were abandoned temporarily. They had intended to build on the lot immediately east of those now occupied by them, and extend the entire building back to the alley, and to add another floor. This would give them a building 66x132, three stories, instead of 44x80, with two stories, as they now have. The addition may be built in 1912, although this has not yet been definitely decided upon. When the addition shall be built, it is their purpose to install a spice packing and coffee roasting department.
    Among the business buildings proposed for Columbus for the next year may be mentioned the new three-story building to be erected by William Poesch, and the new office building by Becher, Hockenberger & Chambers. The erection of a double building here will add very materially to Thirteenth street. Farther down the same street it is proposed to build a fine three-storey building for the Knights of Columbus, at the corner of Thirteenth and Murray.

Columbus Telegram-Journal, October 2, 1912
Henry Gass & Co. formally opened their new business home on Thirteenth street last Thursday afternoon and evening, the receiving hours being from two to nine, p.m. Hundreds of people called during the reception hours, and inspected the beautiful new building and its furnishings. Souvenirs were distributed among the callers, the souvenirs consisting of pictures and small pieces of statuary. Henry Gass, sr., met the callers at the door, and was assisted during the receiving hours by his two sons, Samuel and Henry Gass, jr., John Stovicek, John Quinn, William Swander and Fred Burgender. The active management of the store will be by the junior members of the firm, the father retiring from the business in an active capacity. Mr. Gass founded the business many years ago, and laid the foundation for the present large business by square dealing and good business management. The new store is a two story and basement structure, with a deck in the first story covering the greater part of the floor space of the first floor. The upper story is used as a store room and shop, and is reached by a powerful freight elevator, which runs from the upper story to the basement. A wide stairway leads from the first floor to the deck above. The undertaking rooms are located on one side at the rear of the first floor, and includes a chapel, a fire and burglar proof receiving vault, and two rooms for the display of caskets. The large display windows afford opportunity for displaying fine furniture in the most attractive manner. This beautiful building is one of the best of its kind in the state, and, indeed, has some appointments that are not found else where even in the state. The members of the firm were highly complimented by those who called during the day, and also by a number of traveling salesmen, who pronounce the establishment to be one of the most up-to-date they know of.

The Columbus Telegram, March 7, 1913
A new firm which will take its place among the large concerns of Columbus in the business field was launched this week, when articles of incorporation were filed at the office of the county clerk for the Columbus Fuel and Storage Company. Henry Ragatz, A.L. Rush and Ed M. Ragatz are the incorporators. The authorized capital stock is $50,000. In speaking of his new business venture this morning, Mr. Henry Ragatz said, "The Columbus Fuel and Storage Company will take over the T.B. Hord fuel business at this point and will also erect a large warehouse for the storage of goods. As yet we have formed our plans only in a general way. The details have not been worked out. We have secured an option on trackage, 66 by 100 feet, just east of the Elevator Roller Mills, and we expect to build our warehouse there. The size and construction of the building have not yet been determined, but it will be something subtantial and a credit to Columbus. Our new corporation began life on March 5, but will not become actively engaged in business till April 1, at about which time we expect to take over the Hord coal business. Mr. Rush and Ed Ragatz will continue their connections with the Hord Grain company, as at present."

The Columbus Telegram, June 19, 1914
A $50,000 IMPROVEMENT
Columbus Institution is Spending That Amount in Modernizing Its Plant.
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    Beginning about the first of the year to install a bottling works and make minor alterations mildly in keeping with the march of progress, the Columbus Brewery company has exceeded its appropriation by two-fold and is still laying plans for greater improvements and extension. Since last January from five to forty men have been on the company payroll, and the end is not yet. Many new machines have been installed to do more work, better work and different kinds of work than can be done by human hands, and in addition to the initial investment each machine has required the employment of labor for its installation, the extension of the brewery roof and the re-modeling of the interior. Manager Rambour says the investment of $25,000 originally contemplated has stretched to twice that amount, and the work of improvement is by no means completed.
    The main improvements already completed, or nearing completion, consist of an ice machine and refrigerating plan, with modern facilities for storing ice; a complete complement of bottling machinery; a machine for cleansing and sterilizing kegs; a monster copper kettle for the brewing of beer; a new barn with concrete and cork floor; new boilers and engines; investment for bottles, cases and all that goes with bottling and selling of bottled goods; a complete re-modeling of the old building, and the erection of new additions.
    Easily the improvements may be enumerated, but not so easily can they be comprehended without a trip to and through the brewery under the guidance of one familiar with the work as it has progressed. Such a trip was made the first of the week by a representative of The Telegram, who spent an hour of sight-seeing as companion of Mr. Rambour and Braumeister Nessler.
    Because of its being a new innovation, the bottling works attract first attention of the visitor. In the bottling department are several interesting machines. The first in the order of usefulness is the machine for cleansing bottles which have been used. All the bottles first go through a strong soda solution. They are then picked up on a winding belt which carries them by slow degrees through a steam heated chamber for more cleaning, cleansing and draining. Finally each bottle is thoroughly rinsed by a spray of clean water. The process requires about two hours, from start to finish.
    Next in line, the bottles pass to another machine to be filled and corked. The beer comes from ice-cold casks in the cellar beneath. The next machine is one for labeling, and it is a whole show by itself. It is a machine which pastes on the labels as fast as the operator can feed the bottles into it.
    After the bottles have been filled, corked and labeled, they are placed on steel trays for some other kind of treatment before being placed in the cases. Finally the cases are conveyed by a rolling platform to the wagons for delivery.
    The process of making beer is all very mystifying to one who does not understand it, and is difficult of explanation. It is interesting to note some things about the process which are not generally understood. It is said to be impossible to make good beer from artesian water, which lacks certain qualities essential to beer-making. The main ingredients of beer, as everybody knows, are water, hops and malt or corn. Good wafer is essential. It is boiled about four hours. Malt and water are first boiled together until they make a sort of extract, then more water and the hops are added. Finally the whole mass is thoroughly mixed. Then the beer is drawn off, pumped overhead to pass over cooling coils, and then to fermenting vats in the cellar. For several days it remains in the vats, and then it is pumped from one to other vats for settling. After long travels it reaches the storage vats, there to remain until placed in the kegs or bottles. The facilities at the Columbus brewery are adequate for storing about 37,000 barrels of beer. The brewery makes and bottles each day as much beer as has been sold that day, thus assuring at all times a uniform supply to meet the demand, and a uniform grade of product.
    Next in point of interest at the brewery is the refrigerating system. Two dozen or more huge casks, all underground in catacomb-like vaults, contain the finished products. That is a brief description of the brewery cellar. It is always close to the freezing point in the cellar, and frosted pipes running everywhere apprise the visitor of the source of frigidity. When completely installed the new plant at the brewery will have sufficient capacity to supply the ice demands of a city much larger than Columbus today, and it will be ice of the quality of pure spring water.
    Not content with what has been done this year, Mr. Rambour says that if business remains good, and all other things are favorable, the brewery company will make still greater improvements. These will include the moving of the bottling works and the building of a new office across the street north from the present building, and the addition of four to five stories and the entire remodeling of the old brewery building which has been a familiar landmark in Columbus for thirty years or more.

The Columbus Journal, March 9, 1916
PLANS BEING MADE TO INCREASE OUTPUT
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Klaus Canning Company Will
Triple Its Business
During Year.
----------- From reliable sources it has been learned that the Klaus Canning company is planning to triple its business in all departments this year in the canning as well as the packing plant. The company during the last year turned out 1,000 cases of corn and 1,800 cases of tomatoes. The product of the factory has heretofore been handled by the H. W. Abts Wholesale Grocery company of this city and they have had such a tremendous call for these goods that they have asked Mr. Klaus to increase the capacity of the factory. The Abts company this year wants in the neighborhood of 5,000 cases of tomatoes and 3,000 cases of corn and the plant will be enlarged to fill this order and more if needed.
After the canning season ends in the fall Mr. Klaus plans to use the plant for packing purposes and it is proposer to kill at least 100 hogs per week. The meat business will also be handled by the Abts company, which has made arrangements to sell the entire output. The canning factory is a good business proposition for the farmers of this locality and contracts are now being made to plant a much larger acreage of tomatoes and corn than has ever been contracted before. Good prices are paid for this raw material and will keep the factory going into fall, which will give employment to a large number of people. The farmers and laboring people of this community are all benefitted by this latest move on the part of Mr. Klaus.

The Columbus Daily Telegram, April 22, 1925
LOCAL WHOLESALE HOUSE TO HANDLE FRUIT IN CARLOTS
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Nash-Dietz Co. Completes Installation of $9,000 Refrigerating Plant
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    Installation of the refrigerating plant in the wholesale house of the Nash-Dietz corporation here, commenced about a month ago, has now been completed at a cost of approximately $9,000, making it possible for the company to handle fruits, as well as groceries, on an extensive scale.
    The plant consists of two banana rooms, two fruit and vegetable rooms, a candy room and a cigar room. The cooling plant in the basement is connected with all of the rooms by a series of pipes, containing ammonia, water and brine. The temperature of all of the rooms can be regulated according to the need.
    The two banana rooms are kept at different temperatures according to how fast the fruit is to be ripened. All of the bananas received are yet to be ripened. With a higher temperature they can be ripened more quickly. A gas heater in each of the rooms can heat the room in winter if that becomes necessary. Ventilating pipes in the rooms keep the air constantly circulating, insuring its being fresh at all times.
    The fruit and vegetable rooms are usually kept at a temperature ranging from 35 to 40 degrees, keeping the stock in the best of condition until it is to be used. It is possible to lower the temperature to 23 degrees if that becomes necessary.
    The cigar room has a brick floor on top of the other floor. Water is poured on this at intervals, insuring a dampness in the room which keeps the cigars from drying out.
    The candy is kept at a temperature of about 40 degrees.
    Much of the fruit received here in carlot shipments can be shared with other Nebraska houses of the Nash corporation, members of the local house said today. This will be done when no one house will require an entire carload at one time, making it possible for the company to get a better freight rate. This should also give the local retailer a substantial saving on the goods.
    The Nash corporation has its own fruit ranches in some of the western states which furnish much of the fruit used by the Nebraska houses. Seven Nash houses in Nebraska handle both groceries and fruits, most of them having the ammonia refrigerating plant like the one just installed here. These houses are at North Platte, Scottsbluff, Kearney, Hastings, Crawford, Norfolk and Columbus.
    It is estimated that the house here will use a carload of bananas each week during the coming season. The first load is expected next Wednesday.

The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 1, 1926
Grant Licenses--The city fathers devoted most of their time at a special meeting last evening to pasing upon applications for soft drink, pool and billiard, plumbers, housemovers' and other licenses for the municipal year beginning today. Mrs. Josephine Kush was granted a license to conduct a soft drink parlor in Eleventh street which her husband, Tom Kush, sr., operated last year, but only on the condition that the husband keep away from the place as he was recently convicted of driving an automobile while intoxicated and any violation of the liquor laws is ground for refusal of a license to operate a soft drink business. August Wagner as attorney for Mrs. Kush, told the council that it was her money and not her husband's that was tied up in the place and that if given a license she would employ her son or someone else to manage the business for her until such time as she could sell it. That was the only way, he said, that she could avoid losing what she had invested. Mr. Wagner gave assurance that Kush himself, would not be permitted to take any part in the operation of the business. On the strength of his statement, Councilman Levine made a motion that the license be granted and the motion was carried. Soft drink licenses were also granted to A. Moschenross, J.F. Fluckiger, Albert Zimmer, Louis Glur and E.R. Tally. Similar licenses had previously been granted to John Kusek and Charles Becher. Pool and billiard licenses were granted to Gutzmer and Justus, R.L. Dolan and E.R. Tally. Henry Seipp was granted a dray license; E.J. Meays, a housemovers' license and the firm of Dussell & Son, a plumbers' license. All the banks in Columbus were made city depositories. ...

The Columbus Telegram, June 26, 1926, pg. 6
CHEESE FACTORY WILL MOVE TO FARM; CHICK HATCHERY INTO TOWN
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Alpina Products Co. Will Occupy Building in Shell Creek Valley
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BRINGS NEW INDUSTRY HERE
----- Because the alkali content of the water around here is a handicap in the making of cheese, the Alpina Dairy Products company is to move its equipment next week from its present location in Eleventh street to a new building erected for that purpose on the farm of George Saalfeld, 8 miles north of Columbus on route 3, according to John Agenstein, manager, and the name of the firm will be changed to the Shell Creek Valley Cheese Manufacturing company.
Mr. and Mrs. H. Clabaugh, proprietors of the Platte Valley Hatcheries near Monroe, were in Columbus yesterday and contracted for the purchase of the cheese factory building on Eleventh street from the Glur family with the intention of transferring their baby chick industry to this city late next fall to afford them better marketing facilities for their product.

Increase Cheese Production
Mr. Agenstein states that the removal of the cheese factory to the special building on the Saalfeld farm will permit the manufacture of Swiss and other high grade cheeses, which has been impossible here because of the amount of alkali in the water supply around Columbus.
The new brick building was recently erected by Mr. Saalfeld especially for the cheese factory at a cost of $5,000 and Includes a roomy basement. The building which measures 30 by 80 feet Is leased from Mr. Saalfeld by the newly named Shell Creek Valley Cheese Manufacturing company. It is said the new location will also provide easier access to the chief source of supply for the best quality of milk from some of the leading herds of dairy cattle in Platte county.

40,000 Egg Hatchery
    Mr. and Mrs. Clabaugh, who expect to have their new plant in Columbus ready for operation the fore part of February next year, are pioneers In the hatchery business, shipping their first baby chicks some 12 years ago. Since that time their hatchery at Monroe has been developed until they now have a 10,000 egg capacity, and this will be increased In the Columbus plant until they have a capacity of from 40,000 to 50,000 eggs.
    Besides their hatchery near Monroe, Mr. and Mrs. Clabaugh have been operating a good sized farm, and they will probably continue its operation along with the hatchery here, unless a desirable tenant is found. After harvest this fall they plan to remodel the 11th street structure for hatchery purposes and expect to have it ready for the baby chick season which opens early in February.
    The move to Co1umbus, the CIabaughs believe, will give them a decided advantage in the marketing of baby chicks, and in quick shipment of their product to patrons over a much wider territory.
    The baby chick industry, according to Mr. Clabaugh, has but recently attained its present commercial prominence. He recalled with some amusement an incident in connection with his first shipment of newly hatched birds 12 years ago. At that time no provision had been made in parcel post rules for the transportation of baby chicks by mail, and their local postmaster was given rather a severe �bawling out� for accepting a pasteboard box, filled with baby chicks, for shipment to another point. At that time, too, there were none of the present-day facilities for safely transporting baby chicks through the mails.
    While the removal of the Platte Valley Hatcheries froth the farm near Monroe to Columbus is somewhat in the nature of an experiment, the CIabaughs are satisfied that the venture will prove a profitable one.

The Columbus Daily Telegram, February 9, 1927, page 3 TO BUILD ADDITION TO CLEANING PLANT
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Harley Jackson Erecting $5,000 Building
-----     Erection of a $5,000 building as an addition to his dry cleaning plant has been started by Harley Jackson on a site on Twenty-fourth avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets. It will be completed in about six weeks if weather conditions are favorable.
    The building will be of brick, 35 by 40 feet, one story high, with a full basement. There will be two work rooms in the basement. The main floor will be divided into two rooms, each 20 to 35 feet. One will be used for storing cars while upholstering is being cleaned, the other for an office and reception room.
    The new plant will be modern and sanitary in every respect, Mr. Jackson said today. When it is completed, it will be equipped to handle dry cleaning, rug clean and cleaning of upholstering of furniture and interiors of cars. Mr. Jackson already has most of the machinery needed for this work but the additional room furnished by the new building will make it possible to handle the work more satisfactorily than is possible in the limited space of his present building.

The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 5, 1928, page 4
CHEESE FACTORY IS READY TO OPERATE
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Manufacturing at Swift Plant Starts in Few Days
-----     The cheese department being added to the Swift and company produce plant in Columbus is ready for operation and will be started within the next few days, Manager L. W. Brookshier announced today.
    Construction work and installation of equipment has been going on actively during the past few weeks. The equipment is the latest type, Mr. Brookshier says and the plant is equipped to produce from Nebraska milk the highest quality of cheese. In so doing the company will be able to pay producers full market value for the milk sold to the factory.
    �The Columbus plant enters into the nationwide marketing plan of Swift and company,� Mr. Brookshier said. �This system is capable of transporting cheese from the city, under refrigeration, to the most remote sections of the country and kept in refrigerated branch houses until it goes to the retailer. This assures that the Columbus product will reach the consumer In best possible condition and command best prices.� Products of this factory will fit into the general plan of marketing.
    It was pointed out by Mr. Brookshier that it is not the company�s intention to take the best products away from this community but that local demands would be served first. Any surplus will then be marketed in the most effective way by the Swift system through the large consuming centers.
    The entire marketing scheme is designed to afford the best possible markets for each of the company�s producing units at the least possible marketing cost in order that the public may be well served and a fair price be returned to the producer for his raw material.
    All arrangements have been completed for milk routes covering the territory immediately surrounding Columbus, Mr. Brookshier said. The factory will be up to volume production within a few days. Producers and other residents of Columbus and surrounding territory are invited to visit the plant and inspect the cheese manufacturing department.

The Columbus Daily Telegram, June 2, 1928, page 6
Transformation Is Made, Record Time
________
    With the opening today of the new Montgomery Ward & Co. retail store In Columbus, what is believed to be a real record for rapidity of construction has been established in local building circles.
    About six months ago reports emanating from Wall street predicted the entrance into the retail field by this large mail order house in approximately 1,500 communities in the United States having a population of 5,000 or over, designated as key cities. Selection of Columbus as one of these points In Nebraska was, therefore, not startling, but when announcement was made that the North opera house had been purchased and was to be remodelled for acceptance by May 15, a period of less than three months, the wise ones shook their heads.
    Undaunted, the contractor, Walter Roth, proceeded with an augmented gang of laborers and artificers, tearing down, excavating, rebuilding, brick on brick, hammers flying. paint brushes spraying, frequently oblivious of the 6 o�clock whistle, until the eve of the allotted time arrived. Exceptionally favorable building weather was on his side, it must be admitted, but with the formal acceptance of the building by R. L. Nolan, installation superintendent for the Kansas City branch under which the Columbus store operates on the precise day, the man on the street generally conceded that a pretty piece of contracting had been accomplished. Just 67 working days had been consumed from the start to the finish.
    Next the opening date of June 2 was set, which seemed short enough time for the installation of the half a dozen carloads of fixtures and the arrangement of an equal quantity of merchandise. But again a large force of workmen and quickly hired Columbus employes was set to the task of whipping the store into shipshape appearance with everything going off as per appointed schedule.
    Herewith is presented a group of photographs depicting the old opera house and the new department store, together with the personalities in the deal. The corner-stone of the historic North opera house, laid in 1901, containing various documents pertaining to the original building, has been replaced in the new building. The new store with a frontage on Thirteenth street of 66 feet, comprises approximately 24,000 square feet of floor space, having a basement and first and second floor.
    J. E. DeMerritt, who is here for the opening day, is the territorial manager out of Kansas City. C. L. Britt, who represented Montgomery Ward & Co. in the negotiations for the lease, carries the official title of superintendent of location and installation. George W. Johnston, an Omaha young man formerly secretary of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of the Nebraska metropolis, is to be the manager of the store. R. L. Nolan, who has made a host of friends since his brief stay in Columbus, is the superintendent of installation, and, together with his construction foreman, R. A. Dawson, will move on to other stores under construction, including Norfolk, Lincoln, Fremont and others. Chas. Wurdeman was the architect; Mr. Roth, the contractor, and Herbert Hahn acted as superintendent of construction on behalf of the owners. Harold Kramer and Otto F. Walter, Phil R. Hockenberger, junior member of the firm of Becher, Hockenberger, Chambers & Co., was the realtor who made the deal, representing both Montgomery Ward and Messers. Kramer and Walter.
    Following Is a list of employes at the store:
    M. Montgomery, window trimmer and card writer, who makes each store opening.
    Miss Pearl LeGrande, first floor counter installation, who also makes each store opening.
    Men in training for store managers: Clarence Hess, acting assistant; A. J. Allee, E. C. Ferguson, J. W. Ferguson, W. A. Cooley.
    Office: Misses Florence DeLand, Elaine Hockenberger, Lillian Luschen, Orva Steinhauser.
    Salesladies: Misses Daphne Adams, Nettie Bartholomew, Olga Baumgartner, Selma BehIen, Esther Briggs, Gertrude Carter, Violet Efting, Luella Gaver, Albertina Geiser, Helen Gerharz, Cecilia Gossman, Mina Gossman, Grace Heibel, Gertrude Hennessey, Lucille Kohler, lola Legler, Gertrude Malloy, Pauline Marty, Ruth Miller, Erma Owens, Louise Pfenning, Selma Perry, Evelyn Pittman, Julia Rausch, Bernice Roberts, Emma Roelle, Henrietta Schroeder, Esther Schultz, Freda Schultz, Hulda Staub, Kathryn Stovicek, Ruth Stromberg, Luella Taylor, Miriam Taylor, Mollie Triba, Caroline Weber, Jean Woitasky, Lora Zapla and Mesdames Maude I. Haney, Clara O�Sullivan.
    Salesmen: Bruce Albert, Carroll Culp, George Mentzer, W. R. Meyner, Clarence Muhle, Harold Putnam, L. W. Randolph, Gilbert Roby, Frank H. Rudat, David Ryan, Ray J. Schroeder, August Schutte, Orville Thomas.
    Shipping department: Gus Brunken, James Robertson, Lester Streeter.

The Columbus Daily Telegram, Aug. 27, 1928, page 6
REMODELING AND ENLARGING CAF�
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Eagle to Reopen Soon With Complete New Fixtures
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    Marking the close of 15 years of operation of the Eagle caf�, Mrs. Victoria Scott is enlarging and remodeling the building at 1255 Twenty-sixth avenue, installing new fixtures and plans to reopen the caf� by the time of the Mid Nebraska exposition, Sept. 19-21.
    Mrs. Scott came to Columbus 15 years ago, rented the cafe from C. H. Buschman and took possession Aug. 26, 1913. In 1917 she purchased the building and two years later remodeled the kitchen.
    Some time ago Mrs. Scott purchased the vacant space just north of her building and is widening the caf� by the six feet thus provided. When the present remodeling is completed the caf� will be 24 feet, 9 inches, by 88 feet, the kitchen at the rear being 24 feet square. There will be rest rooms for men and women, a full basement with dressing rooms and the dining room which will seat 86. Eight booths along the north of the dining room, nine tables and a counter which will seat 18 will be provided. All new fixtures will be installed before the opening. The caf� will be equipped with electrical refrigeration and ventilated with a suction fan which will provide a complete change of air every two and one-half minutes.
    The front of the building will be of fancy brick in two colors, plate glass windows with stained art glass above. A marquee will extend from the front out over the sidewalk.

The Columbus Daily Telegram, Nov. 5, 1928, pg. 5
HARBAUGH PRODUCTS CO. TO OPEN FACTORY AT 1262 25TH AVENUE
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New Firm to Manufacture Marvel Polish, Marvel Cleaner and Mulso
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    The Harbaugh Products company, recently organized by several Columbus business men with E. E. Harbaugh as president and general manager, has leased the Gray building at 1262 Twenty-fifth avenue, and will use it for manufacture of three different products which have formerly been manufactured in the city but by different individuals or firms.
    The products which will be handled by the new company include Mulso, a water softener, said to be especially adaptable to water of the Platte Valley, perfected by C. B. Fricke and until now manufactured by him at the Pollock drug store; Marvel Polish, for use on dull or polished surfaces, and Marvel Cleanser, for removal of stains from clothing. Marvel polish and Marvel cleanser have previously been made by Mr. Harbaugh at 2819 Fourteenth street.
    Over 500 dealers in Nebraska, Iowa and eastern Colorado are now handling the products which will be manufactured by the company. With the opening of the factory the number of salesmen handling the three lines will be increased and will probably number at least 150 by the first of the year.
    M. H. Motter, of Denver, is in Columbus supervising installation of equipment In the factory.

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