|
|
|
What's New | Bios | Birth/Marr/Death | Cemeteries | Census | Courts | Directories/Lists | History | Land & Property | Military | Photos & Postcards | Resources | Schools
|
A glimpse into the past...
71
72
Outside View. Looking from the N. ' V.
Board of Directors: Joseph Charlton, H. Henkle, R. S. Brice, G. Gregory and J. W. Tallman. Within a few days after the organization of the company, a site was selected, and the building commenced. The old lumber yard grounds were chosen as the most eligible location, on account of being convenient to the railroad, because the ground had the necessary amount of "fall" and because the owners gave it on remarkably easy terms: to-wit: first year free, then $25 rent per annum for five years, with the privilege of purchasing it at any time, during the five years, for $600. Taking into account the ahove real estate transaction, and the fact that the officers have served faithfully and well without compensation, and have hired their labor and bought their material very cheap, the building and fixtures have been completed for a coparatively small sum of money. Everything about this establishment has been built with an eye to business more than for appearance. Mr. J. H. LEIGHTON, a noted glass maker of Wheeling W. Va., is Manager, and all the work has been done according to his directions. Whatever he wanted done, he either did himself, or told some one else how to do it. He has experience of two or three generations of glass makers, besides having been Manager of some of the largest and best factories in West Virginia, Ohio and Pa. He knows the whole business by heart, and has managed the construction of these works without making a single mistake.
The Eagle Glass Works enjoys many ADVANTAGES over Eastern factories, a few of which we will mention. First—It is located here in the west, the very center of the glass consuming country, and has a thousand miles the start, in the item of freights. Second—It has an inexhaustible bed of sand right at its door, (so to speak,) which has been tested and proved to be capable of producing first quality of flint glass. This sand can be laid down in the factory at $3 per ton cheaper than our eastern relatives can get theirs. Third—This entire establishment did not cost more than the ground to build it on would have cost in one of the eastern cities. Fourth—Hands can be hired for much less monney here, because they can live much cheaper than in a large city. Fifth—Here we are free from "Trades Unions, and for a long time at least, will not be troubled with "strikes." But we might go on ad infinitum enumerating its advantages and weary your patience, hence we will c1ose that department, and tell you WHAT WE PROPOSE TO DO We have an entirely new and full outfit of molds for making table ware, lamps, &c. These styles and patterns were designed by Mr. Leighton, and are such as will recommend themselves to the trade. It is the intention of the Board and the Manager to make Keota Glass popular with the dealers and among the people. They will send out nothing that will not bear the closest scrutiny. In the way of its advantages to the country, we need not speak particulatly at this time, as we talked that up pretty thoroughly when the company was being organized. But we look at it as the opening of a new era of less farming and more manufacturing. Neighboring towns have already taken up the idea, and wonder why they did not think of it sooner. Parties who represent other manufacturing interests, have been here to take in the situation, with a view of locating. Scores of young men are looking to this factory in anticipation of steady employment. And, don't you forget it, when the EAGLE GLASS WORKS begin to send out two car loads of glass ware per week, and have orders for three months ahead, you will see livelier. times in Keota than you ever saw before. And this is not a highly colored picture, for many other similar establishments, less favorably situated, have done more than the above. Every thing appears to work together for our good. There has not be a better time within the last five years for such an enterprise to begin operation. The Eastern factories are about all in full operation again, with orders several months ahead. We have just harvested the best crop raised in the last decade, the European crops are short, and our farmers are sure of renumerative prices for their large surplus. All these things, taken together, insure good times and large sales of glassware as well as other manufactured goods.
73
74
75 A glimpse into the past... Interesting
Developments About the Eagle Glass Works, Mr. J. H. Leighton, then living in Wheeling, West Virginia, had been corresponding with parties in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in reference to the erection of glass works there, but not meeting with satisfactory encouragement he determined to look up a more desirable point. This was in December of 1878. Seeing a copy of The Keota Eagle in Wheeling, and being struck with the enterprise of the businessmen of this city, he determined to apply here and see what encouragement he would receive. The Eagle Glass Works was organized by the citizens of Keota and vicinity on April 22, 1879. The stockholders of the proposed Glass Works met at Henkle & Hutchinson's lumber office and perfected their organization. Everyone present appeared to be filled with spirit and determined to make the enterprise win. It was named "Eagle Glass Works" in honor of The Keota Eagle, through whose influence Mr. Leighton had his attention first called to this town. "Of course we accept the name as a high honor," states the editor of The Keota Eagle, Mr. G. L. Reed. "At a meeting of the Eagle Glass Works las t Tuesday night," states the May 3, 1879, Keota Eagle, "the directors selected the ground formerly occupied by Huskins & Webber lumber yard as a site for the factory. This is a wise choice as it was the best ground that could be obtained on the track and as it was offered so reasonable they could not refuse it. Ground will probably be broken next week." (Note: The old lumber yard ground of Huskins & Webber was lots 3, 4, and 5 of block 19 in the Town of Keota. According to an 1887 Atlas of Keokuk County and the plat of Keota shown therein, it shows the Opera House as being located on the south end of these lots. The Glass House was converted into an Opera House at a later date. As of 1973 the lots designated as lots three and four is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bill VanSickle, 108 West Broadway, Keota, Iowa, and lot five the home of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Kent, 110 West Broadway, Keota, Iowa.) June 21, 1879. The building is up and enclosed, the stack is finished, the floor laid and the "lear" partly built, everyone anxious to see the smoke rolling out of the big chimney. The Glass Works started September 25 and is running on full time converting sand from one quarry in each county into first class glassware. KEOTA'S FIRST STRIKE November 22, 1879. Keota has won city honors at a very tender age. She may now be classed as a manufacturing center because she has already had a "Strike." Which of our neighboring villages can boast of as much? The strike was of a mild type and, as nearly as we can find out, was brought on thus: The glass factory being short of hands and full of orders, the manager put W. G. Lytle, a new hand, to working a press (because he could be more useful in that capacity than in any other) and H. Getner (who came here as a gatherer but who had been running the press a few days) to gather for Lytle. Getner rebelled and drew most of the foreign host with him. John Callahan, thanks to his manhood, stuck to work. Work went right on, the home boys were put right forward. Mr. Leighton shed his coat and did the work of at least two skilled workmen and four boys. He and the directors are a unit in the determination to run this concern as they please without dictation from the hands of any other men. The work can be run with the present help so as to pay expenses, and that is better than the strikers can do when not at work. We say to the Manager and Directors, stick to it, the home hands are becoming more expert every day and now is the time to nip this evil while it is young and tender. P.S. — On Wednesday evening the boys signified their willingness to return to labor and now all is well and the work goes bravely on. December 27, 1879. A Keota resident went to Indiana taking a set of Keota glassware to show the Hoosiers what grows in Iowa. In January 1880 the glass works closed down to repair the furnace. Several of the glassmakers left town but enough of them tarried so that work could begin as the necessary repairs were made. F. M. Smock returned from his western trip and states that he was successful in selling glass ware and contracted more than the company had on hand. The January 24, 1880, Keota Eagle states that the Eagle Glass Works is shipping a cargo of glassware every day now. February 14, 1880. Orders for glassware are still coming in. One large order for chimneys and other ware is to be delivered, but all work preparatory to starting the works has been stopped. "We see no immediate prospect of filling these orders. Ways and means are being devised for paying off what the company is in debt and when that is done, well, let us rent it to somebody, for we are a house divided against itself." While The Eagle Glass Works was having financial difficulties, Iowa City was talking up the Glass Factory business. The April 17, 1880, issue of The Keota Eagle states that Mr. J. H. Leighton and R. R. Spencer, Cashier of the Savings Bank of Iowa City, came across country yesterday evening on a buck-board. Mr. Spencer comes as a representative of Iowa City capitalists to find out what he can about the glass business. May 1, 1880. The Iowa City folks are hard at work canvassing for glass house stock. May 8, 1880. The Iowa City Flint Glass Works organized Friday and they expect to begin the manufacture of glassware October 1. In the meantime the editor of The Keota Eagle, who had been a backer of the Eagle Glass Works through his columns, states, "Compare Iowa City 's advantages with our own, and let those who have the reins in their hands tell us why we stand here all the day idle. Our factory is built, we are nearer coal than Iowa City. We have
76 A glimpse into the past... demonstrated that first quality of glass can be made from our sand and the only thing we now lack is a little more sand in our craws. The west will be full of glass factories before 10 years pass by and will we let the pioneer establishment stand idle as a monument of our puerility?" Hurrah For the Glass Works! April 9, 1881. The Eagle Glass Works is again in operation. It was rented by Mr. Wm. Johnson. Grace Hill sand is being used and arrangements will probably be made to have the sand hauled here by the hundred ton. Mr. Walters, who is now on the road selling glassware, sends in very flattering reports. Another lot of Pittsburg hands expected. Fruit jar moulds have been ordered and will be here soon. November 5, 1881. The Eagle Glass Works defunct. February 11, 1882. Iowa City Glass Factory is entirely demoralized. They are neither running nor have they money ahead with which to pay their debts. March 11, 1882. An Englishman, formerly senior proprietor of a glass factory in London, is negotiating for the purchase of the Eagle Glass Works of Keota. 'Tis said the third time is the "charm" and that is what we are waiting for just now. May 19, 1883. The Glass House was sold at public sale last Saturday p.m. to H. Henkle for $455.00. It will not be torn down or removed but will be fitted up for a hall, skating rink, etc. The lots will probably be fenced with a high tight fence, stalls built and the grounds fitted up to accommodate the stock shows. Hole-in-the-sky (smoke stack) will be taken down, all the partitions taken out of the building, a good floor put in, the building plastered, seats, a stage built and other necessary calamities added and then we will have the best hall and skating rink in the county. June 27, 1885. FINIS. Several car loads of glassware, "the last of that manufactured in the renowned Keota Glass Works, now defunct, have been shipped to a wholesaler at Ottumwa. This is the last act of the drama!
|
||||||||
| Previous Pages | Table of Contents | Next Pages |
