Butler county Missouri, "A View of A Growing Town" PAGE 7
Transcribed © BY: Susan (Sauerwein)  Opalka.    mopalka@alaska.net
contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives  
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PLANING DEPARTMENT.

The planing department of this establishment is located on the lower floor
and is under the supervision of Mr. L. B. Walker, a gentleman who is
perfectly conversant with his duties.  This division is furnished with all
machinery usually found in a planing mill and is constantly kept in
operation to supply their custom with sash doors and window frames, church
seats, fancy fencing work, an all other work which might properly come
under that head.

FURNITURE DEPARTMENT.

Here is found Mr. John Blackburn, an English gentleman, who as the saying
goes, was reared in a tool chest, and has a thorough understanding of his
business.  The department is found with all the conveniences for the
manufacture of household and office furniture and coffins.  In years gone
by large shipments of these articles came from St. Louis, but with such
establishments as this there is no need why anything in this line should be
obtained from a different country.  Some of the most beautiful office
furniture in the city has been turned out by this department, and its
workmen are kept busy to supply an increasing demand for their household
and office furniture.

It is in such workrooms as these that the beauty of the gum timber is most
striking.  Used in the manufacture of furniture there is no more beautiful
wood than this, many preferring it in a point of beauty to the historical
walnut.

This factory employs about 25 men and is a most valuable addition to our town.

The only detriment to their work is found in the fact that their building
is yet too small to accommodate their machinery.  Planers, resaws, cut-off
saws, moulding and boring machines, scroll and buzz saws, mortising and
shaping machines, and other machinery which space forbids the mention of,
together with a handsome engine may be found occupying a space in their
building which would seem commodious enough, but large amount of work which
the company do will no doubt in a very short time compel the firm to
enlarge their building.  Mr. Robert P. Lile, the senior member of the firm,
is mentioned elsewhere as one of our prominent merchants, and at one time
represented this county in the General Assembly of Missouri.

James A. Kennedy, the junior member, is an architect and carpenter of years
of experience, has erected a number of important buildings in this section,
and is the right man in the right place. 

The company does a large business in the matter of house building in
addition to their other work.


GILMAN & REYNOLDS.


In the southern part of Poplar Bluff, at a point just below the yards of
the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway Company, may be heard a
perfect buzz of Manufacture.  To each of the factories thus located is
extended a switch on which they are furnished cars for the shipment of
their goods.  Among these may be seen the stave factory owned and operated
by Gilman & Reynolds.   This establishment was first operated by the firm
of Gilman, Spraul & Reynolds, and continued in business for sometime, but
in the month of September, 1883, Mr. Spraul sold out his interest to Elijah
M. Gilman and James B. Reynolds.  This factory is lacking in nothing to
make it one of convenience in the manufacture of staves unless it be that
their already good-sized building is yet too small to meet their demands.

Everything in the shape of the necessary and proper machinery finds a place
in their building, and seventy-five persons find constant employment at
their hands.  This firm turns out whisky, tierce and pork barrel staves
dressed ready for the barrel, and ship at least one car load of these
staves each day.  A handsome 30-horse power engine furnishes the power for
the factory.

The members of this firm are experienced stave men and have built up a most
excellent business from which they now derive a handsome income.  Both
gentlemen are from Indiana.  Mr. Gilman is still a resident of Terra Haute,
Ind. but spends most of his time here, while Mr. Reynolds is a full-fledged
citizen of our city.  Modestly attired outside this manufactory would
surprise the stranger eye upon an exhibition of its interior.  It is
figuring largely in the matter of furnishing labor to a number of men, and
with a few more establishments like this, Poplar Bluff could be even a
prouder town than she is to-day.  Messrs Gilman & Reynolds do a huge
business in a modest way and the pay-roll of their office will show the
large number of families gaining sustenance from their establishment.  Mr.
Harry Gilman, the secretary of the Company, is a young and popular
gentleman and a through business man.



POPLAR BLUFF LUMBER AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY.


Of this concern we know of no more expressive yet inelegant language to
utter our opinion than to designate it as a "big thing."  The stockholders
of the Poplar Bluff Lumber and Manufacturing Co. are business men and
capitalists of Pennsylvania.  The Company began operations in Poplar Bluff
by the purchase of a small saw mill must below the depot, which they
enlarged and refitted by the addition of new and convenient machinery and
increased capacity.  In the summer of 1883the Company purchased 16 acres of
land in the southern portion of the city for which they paid the sum of
$1,5oo in cash.  Upon this ground they at once erected a number of
two-story frame buildings for the use of their employees, and in October
last W. H. H. Kinzer, President, and E. E. Kinzer, Secretary, arrived here
for the purpose of superintending the building of a new and gigantic
factory.  The Railroad Company has extended a switch to this factory and
the carpenters are now pushing to completion a large two-story mill 30x100
feet.  They have purchased a 40-horse power engine, with boiler and saw
mill of the newest and most approved pattern and will have a daily capacity
of sawing 20,000 feet of lumber from a lath to a girder 50 feet long.  In
this establishment will also be found a shingle machine with a capacity of
40,000 shingles daily, planers, edgers, swing and band saws, and all
machinery to utilize lumber of all varieties into all marketable and
merchantable shapes.  When completed this mill will be one of the greatest
importance, and will afford employment to at least on hundred hands.  The
officers of the company are Wm. H. Kinzer, President; E.E. Kinzer,
Secretary; Amos Early, Treasurer, and T. C. Gifford, Superintendent.  The
Company is composed of men who are financially fully able to carry out
their plans, and are happy in the possession of enterprise and energy.
Oak, poplar, ash, cypress, walnut, pine, gum and cherry will find use in
this establishment in the manufacture of lumber of all kinds, flooring,
lath, shingles, and any other article of wooden manufacture which is needed.  

The Company has purchased the "Bull of the Woods," a small steamer, which
they have refitted and will use on the waters of Black river in carrying
logs, lumber and merchandise to and from all points on that stream.  With
the exception of Mr. T. C. Gifford, the superintendent, who is a citizen of
Poplar Bluff, and by the way a most excellent gentleman, and a thorough
lumberman, the members of the company are from the state of Pennsylvania,
but having visited a growing town, and being impressed with the many
advantages it offers to the manufacturer of lumber, they wisely concluded
to invest their money in the place and they do not regret it, for the
combination of money, enterprise and energy in Poplar Bluff will never fail.

THE J. N. ROBERTS & CO. VENEERING FACTORY.

Should we desire to convince the visitor thoroughly and suddenly of the
many uses to which our timber may be put to advantage there could be no
better sight to present to his vision than the Veneering factory of J. N.
Roberts & Co., situated in the southern part of the city and near the river
bank.

This factory was established in the year 1880 by Henry E. Leuer, W. W.
Stead and ----Jewett.  The company was organized and started anew under the
name of J. N. Roberts & Co., with J. N. Roberts, of Lawrence, Kansas, A.
Lambeth, of Poplar Bluff, Henry E. Leuer and W. W. Stead, of Cleveland,
Ohio, and E. E. Stone, of Kansas as members of the firm.  The capital
invested amounts to $25,000, and the factory is a complete one, being
filled with machinery of all kinds and descriptions, and run by a fifty
horse power engine.  Nearly every variety of timber is brought into use in
this establishment and huge piles of material finds place on the Company's
grounds is floated down the river or hauled overland by team.

The establishment is filled with all machinery for the manufacture of the
goods represented by them.  Nearly all kinds of timber is worked up by them
and their grounds present a thoroughly manufacturing appearance.  The first
proceeding is to take the timber while in the log and put it through a
"steaming process."  For this purpose a number of large steaming bins just
adjoining the machine rooms are used, and huge logs are constantly
receiving vapor baths in these departments preparatory to taking them
through the process of converting them into the desired goods.  The timber
is then put through machines and worked up into "veneers" from
one-sixteenth to one-half inches thickness.  The material so created is
used for different purposes.  The oak veneer is used exclusively by this
mill for the manufacture of bushel baskets.  The poplar veneer is worked up
into brush backs, furniture, trunk tops. lath, peach, strawberry and
cracker boxes.  The gum veneer is converted into sewing machine furniture
and all kinds of fruit boxes and crates for shipping fruits.  The walnut
veneer is utilized for all kinds of furniture.  The maple, elm and birch
are all used for the manufacture of baskets of all descriptions.  The
latter of these three kinds of timber makes the most excellent quality of
baskets.  This department can turn out 300 dozen baskets per day, an
employs fifty men, women, boy and girls.

This establishment is provided with some of the most magnificent machinery,
among which is found that which will enable them to turn out between 75,00
and 100,000 strawberry boxes per day.  The firm gives employment on an
average to 100 persons, and many are the families who may be supported by
employment furnished at this factory.  Their articles of manufacture are
shipped to all parts of the United States, especially to the east.  Large
orders are received from San Francisco, California, and the establishment
ship at least, on an average, of two car-loads per day.  All the members of
this establishment are thorough business men.  The members of the company
who live here are, H. E. Leuer, W. W. Stead and E. E. Stone.  Messrs. Stone
and Stead are practical mechanics and men who are thoroughly versed in
their business.  The may, at all times, be found at their factory giving
their personal supervision to the work on hand.  Mr. Henry E. Leuer is a
gentleman who understands perfectly the principles of business.  He has had
a large experience in business circles and is in every way qualified for
the responsibilities which fall upon his shoulders in the position he
occupies.  All of these gentlemen will be found obliging and attentive to
the visitor and ever ready to conduct the stranger or the citizen on a tour
through their interesting establishment.  This factory occupies an
important place in our city.  The town has received many advantages from it
an in return the wealth of our surrounding country has laid the foundation
for the prosperity of the establishment and the success of its owners.



KEYSTONE LUMBER AND LAND COMPANY.

This company was incorporated in 1883, and its mills are located just three
miles east of Poplar Bluff, on the Cairo, Arkansas & Texas railroad, and at
a point which it is predicted will, in a few years, be included in the
corporate limits of our city.  This company has entered  "a lodge in some
vast wilderness," as it were, out of which they have built up quite a
little town, which bears the name of Kluzerton, in honor of the originator,
Mr. E. E. Kinzer.  Beginning operations in October, 1882, the Keystone
Company sawed about 2,000,000 feet of timber the first year.  A magnificent
saw-mill, an excellent shingle-mill, fellow machines, edgers, and all other
mill machinery is found in their establishment, which is doing a thriving
business.  Around and upon their grounds they have built a good-sized
two-story frame store-house, where all goods are found such as are usually
kept in a general store, a switch station and fifteen neat and comfortable
dwelling houses.  For a distance of several miles is extended a tram-way,
used to haul timber from the country beyond.  This company owns 5,000 acres
of heavily timbered land in this county, and on the ground from which they
have taken a considerable amount of timber, are preparing to open up a
large farm, which will be more than sufficient to supply their entire force
with the products necessary.  They also own nineteen acres of land in
Poplar Bluff which is increasing in value yearly, and which to-day has a
high cash value.  The officers of the company are:

Maj. D. Mumma, president; N. Hertzler, vice-president; J. C. Forney,
treasurer; E. E. Kinzer, secretary; J. H. Stadon, superintendent.  E. E,
Kinzer, J. C. Forney, Maj. D. Mumma, D. H. Cahoe, W. H. H. Kinzer, Aaron
Trest, and N. Hertzler are the principal stock holders.

The surroundings of the Keystone Mill are such as to convince the visitor
that business is done and money made there.  This company has set to work
in the right way.  Having the advantages of a good capital they are enabled
to come among us and reap the benefits and profits which are here for them,
as it is for others who will "go and do likewise!"

CITY FLOUR MILLS.



Soon after the advent of the railroad, J. W. Carmichael, of Metropolis, and
E. N. Lovelace, of Cairo, Ills., purchased a lot two blocks southwest of
the court house, and erected a mill for grinding corn, intending afterward
to add flouring machinery.  Before the work was completed Mr. Carmichael
died, and the mill passed into the hands of Messrs. Turner and Butt, who
employed Hugh Smith & Son to complete the flouring department.  This was
done,but the mill was not a financial success until its sale to Messrs.
Hugh Smith, Samuel W. Smith and James D. Greason, all of Ironton, Mo, who
put it in good working order and made it a paying institution.  The firm
name is Hugh Smith & Sons, and the mill is located on the southeast corner
of Fifth and Vine streets.  It is a two-story building, with a large and
commodious attic, which is nearly equal to a third story.  The building is
a frame one and presents a pleasing appearance.  In the fall of 1883 the
firm refitted mill entirely and added a large amount of new machinery,
which enables them to do first-class work.  A 35-horsepower engine occupies
a space in the engine-room, and is complete with new boiler and all
convenient appurtenances.  The mill machinery now consists of one pair
42-inch buhrs for wheat, one 20-inch middling buhr, one 36-inch corn buhr,
one No. 1 middling purifier, one smutter, one 16-foot double bolt, one
14-foot single bolt, and one 12-foot single bolt, and other machinery so
arranged as to make the establishment one of convenience and beauty in the
eye of a practical miller.  This firm makes three grades of flour, and
their capacity is twenty-five barrels of flour for each twenty-four hours.
The Messrs. Hugh and Samuel Smith and James D. Greason are experienced
millers and thorough business men.  Hugh Smith is a member of the City
Council from the Second ward, while James D. Greason is city clerk.  The
mill is doing a good Business.
EMPIRE LUMBER COMPANY.


This large and wealthy company is composed of J. Wyman Jones, C. B.
Parsons, J. M. Elvins and Wm. H. Thompson.  J. Wyman Jones is president of
the St. Joe lead mines, C. B. Parsons is superintendent of the same, and
Wm. H. Thompson is cashier of the Boatman's Saving Bank of St. Louis, Mo.

The mill of the company is situated four miles east of Poplar Bluff on the
C., A. & T. R. R.  Its capacity is 20,000 feet per day.  The mill is run
day and night and manufactures all kinds of hard and soft lumber which they
ship to the different markets of the country.  This company has at present
only seventy-five thousand dollars invested in this trade but they are
amply able to increase it to four times that amount when necessary.  The
Company's business is superintended by Samuel Hawn, who is well and
favorably known by all business men in Poplar Bluff in whose hands they can
safely trust any kind of business.  This establishment furnishes employment
to a large umber of men, and is destined to be a success.
HILL, NALLE & CO.


This firm owns a stave factory in the southern part of the city.  Their
factory is furnished with all the machinery necessary for the manufacture
of a large number of staves of excellent quality per day.

This establishment has been burned to the ground three times, but has
managed to rise from its ashes each time with new and improved machinery.
Mr. N. Hach, the foreman, is a thorough stave man, and understands the
management of his factory.  He it was who first built the mill, and
whatever success it may have attained is due to his labor.
THE CRAVEN POTTERY.


In the central portion of what is known as Miller's Addition to the city of
Poplar Bluff, is located a pottery, complete with all the facilities for
the manufacture of jugs and crockery ward of all descriptions.

Mr. W. N. Craven, the proprietor, established the business at his present
stand, in January, 1882, and turns out a large amount of ware each month
which has been pronounced by those who should know best as most excellent
in quality and durability.  The concern is yet young, but the manager is
an enterprising gentleman who does not believe in permitting the "grass to
grow under his feet,"  and it is his intention in a short time to make new
and additional improvements, and such as will enable his establishment to
furnish the surrounding country with all the goods in his line used.
BRICK YARDS.


In the western part of the city is situated the Reynolds brick yards, owned
by Mr. B. F. Reynolds, and established in 1878.  The kilns are in operation
each summer and fall and turn out a large number of brick, all of which
find a ready market in Poplar Bluff.  The brick made at their kilns are of
excellent quality.
ADDY KILNS.


One block from the Reynolds yards is found the Addy brick kilns owned and
operated by Charles W. Addy.  These kilns cover an area of one acre of
ground, and are in operation during the summer and fall.  The kilns turn
out a good quality of brick and the same is not allowed lie idle on the
grounds but are put into use by the many citizens building brick houses.