The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-08-31
Mankato's Interests and Needs.

From time t6 time through the col.
umns of the FREE PRESS we have taken
I occasion to mention the works of some
IF the important manufacturing cstab-
llshments of the city, but we have by
no means covered the entire ground
1t Is our purpose this week To mention
some of the works which are doing so
much to give Mankato prominence
abroad, and as opportunity offers here
after will endeavor to include every
branch of manufacture represented in
the city.
THE MANKATO IRON AND NOVELTY WORKS,
Originally the Mankato Axe Works,
have increased the scope of
their business and now manufacture near
~ every thing that can he produced from
iron, but at the same time pay particu-
lar attention to certain specialties. Since
charging the field of operations this
company has met with gratifying in
crease in business, and will soon double
the working force. Through the courtesy
of Mr.. l.. ii. Evans, Superintendent
we were recently shown through the
works, and were surprised at the bust
ness being done. The specially OF the
company at present is the Iron Farm
Fence, of which they have the capacity
to turn out ten miles daily. Although
this fence has but lately been introduce
ell i'm Minnesota, the demand tor 1t IS
rapidly increasing, and even in this
wooded country where posts are cheap,
over thirty miles of this fence have been
erected. While devoting much of their
time towards manufacturing this arti
Gle the company finds it. necessary to
meet steady demand upon 1t for IRON
work of nearly every description. They
have jus. finished iron columns for "a
new bank and hotel in Huron, Dakota.
and also are filling orders this early in
the season tor cast iron sled runners, of
which they are manufacturing large
quantities. Much of the machinery used
has been manufactured in the works !
here. The foundry floor Is the largest |
| in the State, and with a steady Increase |
of business it will soon he necessary to
double its capacity by careful manage
ment and wise actions the directors of |
this company have placed 1t nn II solid
basis, and made it one OF the progress
sive and substantial enterprises of our
city.
just across the street from the Novel.
ty Works are the
MANKATO GAS WORKS,
which are now near completion. The
| holder, 60 feet in diameter and 1917 |
feet in depth, is splendid piece of
work, and will be completed in few |
days. In the main building the work
is also nearly done. No expense has
been spared by the company in the con
struction of these works. and the latest |
improvements have been utilized in |
making the system perfect. The works |
have the capacity for supplying city OF
$4,000 people with gas, and will there
fore meet all demands in MankatO for
years to come. Pittsburg coal will he
used exclusively in the manufacture OF
gas, which lnsures to the city light |
equal to any i'm the west. The formal |
opening will be on the 10th of Scptem
beer, by which time everything will he
completed unless some extra ordinary |
accident should prevent.
In the matter of wood work
FORSTER & FLACHsENHAR
are doing an extensive business ut the |
Sash and Bind Factory. This business
has been in active operation but 4 few
months under the present management,
but is called upon now to meet the de
mands of Il constantly increasing trade
Being so directly connected with all
building operations, it is one of the
most important branches Of business in
the county, and as its trade increases
the evidence of improvement through
out city and country is clear.
THE CEMENT WORKS
of which frequent extended mention has
been made in these columns, will In a
short time be ready for active work. |
The machinery is being rapidly put in
place, and it is thought that within two
weeks they will commence the manu-
facture Of cement. This enterprise Is
probably one of the most important in
the State, and its success, now as.
surcd, places another article prominent
among the list of those produced by the
manufactures of Minnesota, and Man
kato feels pride in being the seat of
the enterprise.
The Canning Factory, Il new institu-
ton. of which mention was recently
made, is meeting with encouragement
upon every hand, and under the careful
management of its proprietor will prove
a success.
Among the other branches of bust
ness represented in the city, but by n"
means completing the list of our manu-
factories, are the works of the
]
MANKATO MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
one of the most prominent and pro
gressivc of the many interests of our
city. This company makes II specially
of manufacturing and repairing engines
and mill work, and IN this line is filling
large orders. Casting IN iron and brass
Is also done, and everything that can
he made from metals in foundry and
machine shop,can he and is done at this
establishment. The steady increase in
the demands upon this establishment
has made an increase IN shop room
necessary, and brick addition 5Sx22
feet, one story high, is now being erect
Ell, and will soon he ready for Occupan-
cy. This building will he used rs
carpenter and pattern shop. The COM
pany now employs eighteen men, but
an addition to the working force is
thought will soon he necessary to meet
the increasing demands uDOn the com
pany.
n.,lo. A, a., N,rt,,