The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-04-14

Knapp, representing the Carriage
Factory Of Knapp 4 Kinsley, then
located at Nuncie, Indiana, visited
lola for the purpose Of examining into
the advantages Of this place a. loca-
ton for their factory, they having de-
termined to renove it to some point in
Kansas. Previous to coming to lola
Mr.. Knapp had visited other towns in
various parts of the State, and after .
careful and thorough investigation he
decided upon lola asbeing, all things
considered, the most favorable loca-
ton. 80. ..3o
+. Inaddition to its natural advantages,
q canvas Of our town and vicinity soon
convinced Mr.. Knapp that every effort
he made would be aided by our people.
A most desirable building could also
he had in the old Winan's hotel, which
was then being used az a tenement
house, building worth near five
thousand dollars, but which could be
bought for about two thousand. Mr..
Knapp returned to Indiana with the
conviction that lola was the best point
in the State he had. found for their
business, and after short correspond
ence with our leading business men 1t
was soon settled that the firm OF
Knapp 4 Kinsley were to remove
their carriage factory to lola. 80 on
the 23d day of Feb, 1882, this firm, to-
gether with their families and hands,
arrived here, and their machinery and
tools soon followed them. The build
ing above referred to was purchased,
and active work at remodeling it was
commenced at once The old "bee
-hive,n as it was generally called, con-
sisted Of three story main building,
24x9O, with two story wing, 25x6O
feet. The building having been put
up for hotel it was necessary to tear
out partitions, enlarge and remodel..the
rooms.
A few days since it was our pleasure
to visit the lola Carriage Factory, and
we desire to give brief description of
what we saw: They have divided the
wing of their building into two rooms,
the extreme south room being used as
a lumber room with dry room above
stairs. Next comes the sales and ware
room which unnecessarily commodious.
Entrance to this room is obtained
through a double door opening west
on Jefferson avenue. Passing through
into the main building on the north,
we find lumber room, and next the
wood working shop. The next room
east is the finishing department., aud
still east of this room is a large black
smith-shop, filled up with the neces-
sary tools, and their forges with patent
blow pipes. On going up stairs the
first room we see is the paint shop,
which is thanked on the east with a
color work room, and further east the
varnish room. Opening. out at the
south door up stairs is a 16x4S drying
platform, we'll and substantially built.
Underneath this it is the intention to
have an engine placed, of which men
ton will be made hereafter. In the
second story, west of the rough paint
room, will be found the fine leather
and cloth room, and here is manu-
featured the fine work Of the Establish
ment, including covers, cushions, etc.
We were shown several samples OF
English green !. and blue wood-dyed
! cloth, such as is used for trimmings,
which cost $500 and $3.50 per yard.
The remaining part Of the building is
used as storage rooms, of which there
are many.
In the color paint room we found
several Jobs being finished up, and
among them the delivery wagon OF
Richards, Lakin & Ireland, which for
beauty of finish is hard to beat. But
the work on some piano top buggies,
excelled any thing Of the kind we
have ever seen. We predict that the
day of cheap buggies in this section is
ended, as experience has shown that
they are more expensive in the long
run than good buggies made to order
The work that was shown US in every
departmento of this establishment could
be labeled "Faultless." Mr.. Ellis had
purchased a fine piano top buggy and
is now using one and was having an
other finished up, which will soon be
at the service of those patronizing his
livery. The painting on these buggies
is superior work, a mirror like finish
being observed on the surface.
OF the general value of this iustitu'
ton to lola, we find it difficult to esti.
mate. But its location here is undoubt'
edly of more benefit than at first
thought. In addition to the large
number of persons given employment
and the new families it brings to town
it also speaks well for thrift, enterprise
l ~