Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 26, Number 213, Decatur, Adams County, 8 September 1928 — Page 9

OLD home WEEK edition

DECATUR INDUSTRIES ARE FLOURISHING

PRODUCTS OF 10CH FIRMS WIDELY KNOWN Approximately 1.400 Persons Emoloved hi Local Manufacturing Concerns ANNUAL PAYROLL ABOUT $1,200,000 Although Adams county Is in one the leading and most progressive spicultural communities in the central west. Decatur, the county seat, (4U boast of as fine a group of mantiUfturing concerns of any city of its sue in the country. Several of the local manufacturing concerns are not only nationally but internationally [ |r. wiq The several factories and Industries employ more than 1,400 persons and it is estimated that the annual payroll is more than 11.200,000. A few of the manufacturing’ plants ate distinctive in the article or pro duct produced by them. Sugar Factory \ The Holland St. Louis Sugar factory. now owned by the large Continental Sugar company, with general offices in Toledo. Ohio, is the onlybeet sugar plant in Indiana. It employs more than 300 persons during the sugar-niaking campaign, which opens in October and runs until about the first of the year. Approximately 18.0o(l,000 pounds of beet sugar are made at the local plant yearly, thus giving Decatur the name of the "Sweet City.” The Sugar factory was opened in Decatur in 1912, during the first Old Home Week

Former Geneva ’Home of Gene Stratton-Porter Attracts Many Visitors During Summer Months w ■MW WWj > <ii» ” 1 OKKHk imSa 4HKM fjisi " S : «HMM ■MIM— nmL w<-RBBHBII W* «■ * S® 8 B j£ <. ;$ r ■ ‘'■’■’■ 1 ana!i»« ? < . • _ ■... * ... ■ ■ Kaßa>»nHl& ■■’••?••■• SJ IOff ’<! ylS*Ls¥ liiliw- f | .* t? 1 ., ; B-| t ■I9HHMHBHHH tbtrTlt— *

>oto through courtesy of Fort Wa foe Journal-Gazette. Top to left: Limberlcst Cabin, f ' D ,Ormer home of Gene Stratton Porter at Geneva. Top to right: An east view of ,he cabin. ton p W \ r t 0 le,t: Tbe Gene Stratorter conservatory. ln L thZ er Pi - ht: The ' n th e cabin library. r «bably no small town in Indiana S 0I >’ S f t rom e ne h SS many Pe '” union and r y every state in the the town V’T. foreign countries than Indiana " f,enpva ’ Adams county, lo « h eId|'n'nac,tion 1 d |'n'n ac , tion at Genpva LimberGene Straff f ° r n er homp of ttle late "'ay No 2? Federaf Highateiy callJ , bas been appropriate 'hro gh P L,,nbprlos ‘ Trail,” pass,h* Limhtt “ n,,(1 withi " vipw <>« cabin thJt v Cabin - ls was ia an( l best h M v' Por,:er wrGte I,Pr Erea t contrlh° k J’ WhlCh provpd t 0 be The . , butions natural science. Wab ash iiver O t U " t . r / ‘'' a ’ bordprs tbe eav e to m p J° be eant of Geneva. IM °rmation .s ? rfer for 26 years lbp the world h A at Bbe in turn gavp t 0 Btar led bv ( >, A ,novem ent has been T the people o£ Geneva and

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

celebration. General Electric Plant The Decatur plant of the General Electric company gives employment to the largest number of men ami women of any plant in the city. Between 400 and 500 persons are employed at the G. E. factory. The plant manufactures fractional horsepower motors and, since Its establishment here in 1920, has been running steadily. It is one of the model plants owned by the nationally known General Electric company and its management is made up of local men, Eno Lankenau, being the resident plant manager. Handle Factory The LaFontalne Handle company, makers of snmll farm implement handles, enjoys an international reputation and patronage. The companyexperts considerable of its finished product to England and Canada and has been one of the progressive industries in this community. ('. E. Bell, of this city, is president of the company and he is associated with A. L. Frame, of Fort Wayne. Castings Plant The Decatur Castings company, which is located in the north part of | the city, in the building formerly I occupied by the old Ward Fance com--1 pany and the Also Products company, is one of the growing and substantial manufacturing plants in lhe city. It employs between 150 and 185 men and specializes in making grey iron castings, the castings being sold to a number of the leading industries in the country. James Cowan is the resident manager of the company, ft was located here in 1920. Packing Company The Mufachler Packing company is one of the successful local industries, owned and managed by local people. Fred Mutschler and sons Albert and Edgar, and Ben fichroyer, son-in-law- of Mr. Mutschler took charge of the plant, formerly oper j ated by the Decatur Packing com pany, and since the very first day I they took charge of its management,'

I thp Izaak Walton League to have the "lob” converted into a >ublic park and a large lake formed' in the swamp territory. The "lob" is not the marshy lowland. the haunt of many unusual birds, animals and insects that Mrs. I Porter found it, but has been drained and made into prosperous crop acreage. It was this development of the land that was the greatest factor in determining Mrs. Porter to seek new fields of information, and in 1913 she left Umberlost cabin and went to Rome City to live. The cabin was vacant save for specimens and odd pieces of furniture she had left, until 1920, when Dr. C. R. Price, graduate of the old Fort Wayne medical school and a practicing physician in Geneva since 1905, bought the cabin of Mrs. Porter. He has restored the grounds to the beauty and grandeur of their original landscaping and with the exception of a basement, modern furnace and motor plumbing, the cabin is as Mrs. Porter left it. Cabin Built in 1893 Mrs. Porter procured the exterior designing of the cabin from the Forester’s building at the World's fair in Chicago and began its erection in 1893. The exterior is of red cedar

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

I the‘bus.ness has been a success. The plant has practically been rebuilt, new and modern machinery installed and the place offers this community a ready and cash market for their cattle, hogs and livestock. It employs about 75 persons and. besides the meat yacking business, manufactures a l the artificial ice used in Decatur and the surrounding community. It maintains a daily truck service in the delivery of fresh meats to its many meat market customers in this section of the state. Cloverleaf Creameries The Cloverleaf Creameries, Inc., with large plants in this city and at Huntington, has opened for the farmers and dairymen of this com tnuntiy one of the best cash markets for cream and butterfat of any secton in the state. Since its meager beginning in this city in 1914, it has grown to be one of the largest and best known creameries in the central west. Starting in a little one-story cement block building on First street, the Creamery company, within a year, built the first unit of its large and modern plant on Winchester street. Two years ago, the opening of an addition and the installation of new and modern machinery was the occasion of a big diary day celebration. \\. A. Klepper, the general manager and vice-president of the company, became affiliated with the company, originally started by E. L. Martin, of Huntington, and at the present the president of the organ ization, has seen the business grow from a smalt cream station to a mam mouth concern. Through his untiring efforts much of the success of the business is due. N. K. Holthouse, of this city, is the secretary of the company and Heber Humbarger. is the local plant superintendent. The com pany manufactures about 6,000,000 pounds of butter a year and employs several hundred men and women in its plants and at cream buying stations. Tile Factory The Krick-Tyndall Tile company is

logs, from Wisconsin,' stained the natural color, mitered at the corners and the chinks hilled with cement. The upper story and roof is of redwood shingles, stained in the same natural color. A spacious porch graces the front of the cabin and from it opens a reception hall. The exterior reflects the unusual precision of her taste. The hall and library are done in minute panels of quarter-sawed oak and intricate in its design. The library is walled with specimen cases with ad justable, shelves and racks that yet display some of the collection that was intimate with her years of writing there. Private Rooms In Cabin Mrs. Porter wrote in this library, near the fireplace, her first 10 novels and the contributions of natural science that she made to Recreation, Outing and other periodicals. The white room, Mrs. Porter's private living room and the dining r6oin with its built-in oak cupboards lead away from the library. A conservatory, often the scene of many romantic incidents in her novels, sweeps the west wing of the house. In her bedroom there still remains in a glass specimen case the moths and butterflies that she collected over

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, September 8, 1928.

years it has grown and enlarged and at present has one of the largest tile manufacturing plants in this part of the country. Drain tile is the main product made at the plant. The bus iness is managed by George Krick, mayor of the city, and by Daniel H. Tyndall, son of John Tyndall, one of the founders of the company. Several years ago, the company erected a large addition, which takes care of storage of clay and machinery was added to increase the dally capacity of the plant. Refrigerator Plant One of the newest manufacturing plants in the city is the Dick BurdgLarson corporation. The company’s P ant is located on Mercer avenue and it manufactures units for electric refrigerator plants and is one of the coming industries of Decatur. It has received many orders within the last year, including several from foreign countries. Glove Factory The Waring Glove company, owned by L. C, Waring, still continues to be one of the good industries in this city. The company continues to manufacture the famous '‘Waring” brand gloves and employment is given to 50 or more women throughout the glove making season. The company has a modern plant on East Monroe street and its product is sold in all patts of the United States. Hoopmill The Decatur Cooperage company, owned and managed by C. O. Porter, is located in one of the plants formerly operated by the late John W. Vail, one of the pioneer manufactures of this city. The Cooperage companymanufactures barrel hoops and small chicken coops and employs about 35 people. Board And Filler Company The Indiana Board and Filler company maintains a warehouse and office in this city. Lumber Companies The Smith and Bel Lumber company and the Adams County l umber company operate mills and maintain

a period of many years and one in particular, a moth of great size. "The Emperor,” that is a link in the plot of “The Girl of the Limberlost.” Above a fireplace in the bedroom hangs her oil painting of Irises that grew in the swamp country, for Mrs. Porter was an artist and poet as well as scientist and novelist. Her neighbors and friends recall that she was a splendid cook and housekeeper. Owned Many Horses In duplicate of the cabin is a barn, now used as a garage, for Mrs. Porter owned many horses and made her expeditions into the swamp country in a surrey drawn by a black pony, much to • the consternation of her friends and neighbors. Limberlost cabin was thrown open to the public by the doctor and his wife two years ago and it is estimateed that more than 10,000 persons have visited there in that time. More have come this summer than heretofore, because the public has grown to associate Gene Stratton Porter’s fruitful years with Geneva. That town holds the romance of her own life and the source of her sceintific studies. The register shows guests from every state in the Union and from China, England, Scotland, Germany, France and India.

one of the oldest and best known plants of its kind in the country. For offices in this city, giving employment to many people and providing a market for timber. Ice-Cream Factory The Conter Ice Cream company is one of the well-known concerns in this city, the business being under the management of France Conter, son of H. L. Conter, of Gary, who purchased the business originally from the late J. W. Place, one of the best known men in Decatur.’ The company manufactures ice-creain and soft drinks, having several soft drinks of its own making. Cigar Factories Decatur also has three cigar manufacturing concerns, namely the Charles Sether, the H. A. Colchin and the White Stag cigar factories. The three factories employ a number of men and women and the cigars made by them are found on every counter where good cigars are sold. Cement Factories The Acker Cement company and the Ideal Cement company specialize in cement products. The Acker Cement company manufactures, besides cement blocks, many ornamental pieces, bird baths, benches etc. The Ideal Cement company manufactures

44::4:4444444:4444;..4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ; 1■ A 1 Center’s A. •■<- 1 1 EXTENDS A CORDIAL WELCOME ■ I 1 TO ALL VISITORS DURING 1' ' B I Old Home Week; 1 ! A 4| We hope you will enjoy your J@ §gvisit "back home.” . || I M.. . # §5 In the years past.CONTER'S was the favorite drink and B4| « «••««•« ® Ice Cream-and we wish to say that it still retains that w || goodness that you liked so well. S . w -tf.. , 1 Make friends with it aqainl \\ alk uo to any stand and ®- w • . S’ call for it bo name. They will be glad to serve you and you S ‘ |jL will appreciate your old favorite. A S§S • " s I Again We Say, WELCOME! I i . f i I I lisMier by Caloi| I B ' ’ ” ' ~ - 4HI gr t » CONTER’S ; H ' A SNAPPY, sparkling exhilarat- gT; ing drink--T)uenches. thirst quick- ltC Cl v ‘ Un B ft jly and “just tingles all the way ' or sa ' e Ufc, 5 down." Have it on ice at all times. at nearly ' especially during Old Home every stand. £4g 1 Week ' ASK for iL §8 S ft IK uig i - - ——- ■ - - -—t j| 1 I — n-1 g 1 B wwwww

cement blocks. Monumental Works The Wemhoff Monumental Works is one of the individual manufacturing concerns which brings much outside business to Decatur. Through its method of sand cutting, Wemhoff monuments are in great demand and the local plant is busy every day of the year. Some of the finest monuments seen in cemeteries in northern and central Indiana are products of the Wemhoff Monumental works. The Schafer company, wholesale hardware, is also one of the pioneer business concerns in this city. The company manufacturers harness and saddlery supplies and operates a large wholesale house, carrying not only hardware supplies, but the many items which now go to make up a hardware store. The company occupies a space more than a half square in size, the majoilty of which is three stories high. A number of salesmen represent the company in Indiana, Ohio and southern Michigan. C. C. Schafer, son of Fred Schafer, the veteran hardware merchant of this city is the president of the company. W. H. Wehmeyer and B. T. Terveer are the other officers of this well known concern. The Everett and Hite Grocery and

SECTION TWO. EIGHT PAGES

the Frank McConnell! and Son wholesale tobacco company are the other two large wholesale concerns in this city. They cover a wide field of trade and have several salesmen on the road. Decatur’s manufacturing plants are assisted in getting their products to market by the main lines of the Chicago and Erie, the Cloverleaf division of the Nickel Plate railroad, and the G. R. & I. division of the Pennsylvania. These three roads connect this city on the east and west with all the principal citie and on the north and south with commerce and business in those parts of the coipitry. In the manufacturing end, light, power and water is furnished to the manufacturing plants by the Decatur Light and Power plant, which is municipally owned and operated and is one of the best equipped and best managed p ants in the state. It has a capacity of 6,000 horse power and has ample reserve to take care of additional growth on the part Os any of the industries. The local plant of the Northern Indiana Public Service company supplies artificial gas to the industries, as well as to the homes, being one of the properties owned by the large Insull interests of Chicago and New York.