The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-04-17
keskuk Home Interests.

The interests OF heokuk have suffered
greatly in times past and still do suffer more
than they should, from the fact that our citi-
zens 60 elsewhere to buy many articles that
they could and should purchase at home. II
has been the fashion, and q very vicious and
injurious fashion, Is some begin u realize, to
60 East or to Chicago or St. Louis to get ar
ticles which our own mechanics and manu-
facturers are Offering for sale right here in
Keoknk.
The consequence has been that great deal
of money has been sent away to support man.
ufacturers and mechanics elsewhere. while
our own have been left to starve. Hence,
many having become discouraged, have pulled
up stakes and gone to other points where .
different policy prevailed, and resident me-
chanics and home manufacturers were appre-
ciated and encouraged.
1t is time that the people of Keokuk should
change their policy, and patronize and en-
courage home industry in every department,
and by Withdrawing their custom from places
At distance and bestowing it upon our own
establishments, develop and build up the in.
dustrial interests of our own city.
We call attention to-day specially to the
department Of Wagon and Carriage manufsc-
turing. Since we have been resident in
Keokuk scores Of thousands of dollars have
been expended. by our citizens, in the pur>
chase Of wheeled vehicles of various kinds,
manufactured in the East or in other Western
| cities and towns. Had the proper policy pre-
vailed here most Of this money might have
been expended in our midst, and would have
served to build up the interests of our own
city, increased our population and our trade,
and promoted the prosperity of the commu>
nifty in every way.
Whatever excuses may have heretofore
been offered for going abroad for carriages,
buggies and wagons, there is no reasonable
excuse now. For we have three establish,
men,a in our city, capable of supplying every
demand in that line that may be made upon
them, Of as good material and in as fine a
style and on as reasonable terms az such ar
Giles can be got from Eastern or Western
cities. The proprietors of these establish>
ments are reputable, honest and industrious
citizens of Keokuk, and with the workmen
employed in their shops are doing their full
share to sustain and promote the material
and social interests of the community. They
do good work, and turn out as stylish car
riages and buggies as any that como from
Eastern shops, and on as fair terms, and as |
they warrant their jobs, the cost of repairs
bears no comparison with thst Of Eastern
work.
We made tour Of observation yesterday |
through the establishments in the CITY. and |
found them all busily engaged in preparing |
Tor the possible demands in their line. but |
not very hopeful that the demand would |
equal the supply.
At Myers mandatory on Blondeau street
We found the largest show Of finished work,
md noted about score of buggies and car
-iages, of various styles, all excellent in
their way, and as good as are made any
where.
Seal, Waterman Miller have q spacious
establishment and several very good rooms,
md are amply supplied with material, and
nave large cunt of work under way and |
'ome few vehicles finished. This firm Is
preparing to do an extensive business, aud |
lave large facilities for supplying the grow
ng demand.
Morley / Wright are just getting fairly un-
Ter way with their establishment on the cor
,er OF Main and First streets. They will
have, when completed, very commodious
hop, and they have already on hand and un-
Ter way sufficient amount Of work to indi.
ate the substantial character of their costri.
buttons to the general stock Of Keokuk man
fracture in their line.
With proper encouragement, which We
peak for the carriage manufactures of Keo-
tuk, from our own citizens, . business win I
loon grow up here which will bring custom
rs from large section of county round-a-
Don't, and desirable branch to the general
rsde Of the city.