Warren County Tribune, Indianola, IA, Jan 27, 1876 [from the Warren County Historical Society Library]
The Carlisle Mill is four stories high. The first or ground floor is divided by an arch or wagon way, through which a team can be driven and their freight of grain elevated to the proper place above. On the west side of this archway is the container for all grain for milling purposes which is raised through ingenious elevators to pass through the cleaning process preparatory for the burrs [grindstones]. On the east side of this archway is located the “corn burr” and buckwheat department, also immense bins of grain. Thence we passed up the long broad stairway cases to the fourth story to which all grain is elevated. It passes first through a McLane Ware House Separator. After passing through three of these machines of different grades and through a smut and brush machine it is ready for grinding and is transferred to the second floor where three sets of burrs are ready to crush it and send it on an upward flight back to the fourth floor, through a Whitmore Middlings Purifier. It now passes to the third floor and through several “bolts” according to the quality desired of which there are three: (1) second rate, (2) Carlisle Best, (3) new process. The third floor is also the office where everything is covered with flour of course. Here we find the shipping scales into which grain flows from above and by simply touching a spring after weighing is precipitated into cars [railroad cars] ready for a glide across to the eastern market. The shipping bins hold at least nine thousand bushels of grain. It is no wonder the Carlisle Mill under the management of Mr. Nicholson has become familiar with all creation and that Carlisle Best has become a favorite among housekeepers throughout the land.
The History of Warren County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, & etc.. Des Moines; Union Historical Company, 1879, p.499
The Carlisle Flouring Mill is one of the best in central Iowa. The original company by which it was constructed was composed of citizens of Carlisle and the neighborhood…. The company was incorporated in 1854, and preceded to the construction of the same immediately afterward. The mill was not completed ready for business until June 1856, at a total cost of $10,500. The original mill was 35 X 40 feet in size, a four story frame building, with two run of burrs [grindstones]. In 1863 it was purchased by Robert Nicholson, who has since remained sole proprietor. In 1874 he made many valuable improvements, adding twenty-two feet to its length, thus making it 35 X 62. It has now five run of burrs and two middling purifiers, all run by a forty-horse power engine. It is one of the most complete mills in this section, and has cost about $16,000. Mr. Nicholson has an excellent custom, and the mill is kept running both day and night during most of the year. It is one of the most important industries in the county.
Nicholson Mill
When Mills Played an Important Part in Warren County, by Edith L. Conn (date unknown, booklet at the Warren County Historical Society Library, Indianola, Iowa)
Robert Nicholson was a native of England. He was born near Newcastle, England June 8, 1832. He learned the trade of Miller in England. In 1852 he immigrated to America, landing in New York. He settled in Stark County, Ohio and there worked as a miller about a year. He then moved to Will County, Illinois where he secured employment in a mill. He spent four years there. Mr. Nicholson then came to Iowa and found work in a mill in Cedar Rapids. A year later he came to Des Moines, where he started the City Flouring Mills, which he conducted for six and one-half years. In 1862 he came to Carlisle. At Carlisle he purchased a steam mill and engaged in merchant milling, buying wheat which he manufactured into flour. He shipped thousands of barrels to Des Moines. His mill was destroyed by fire in 1888. He erected a new plant, putting in a full roller process [replacing the grindstones] and up-to-date machinery. He successfully carried on the business until 1905 when he retired. |
