The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-08
HAS GROWN WITH THE CITY.

HAS GROWN WITH THE CITY.
The Exte = ,ive wo,ks Of the Montana
Lumber and Man nfa . 4uring Co
In January, 1889, IHE INDEpENDxNr con-
tanned an announcement of the inoorpora-
ton Of the Helena Lumber and Manfactur-
ing company, with the names of the incor-
porators. To the general reader the incor-
poration meant nothing more than another
industry added to ths city, though to those
acquainted with the men, there was an as
surance of ample capital and large expert
ence in the company. What it has become
or just what the business transacted is, the
general public does not know, though, of
course. those who use its output know well
its extent.
A visit to the lumber district recently but
whetted the curiosity, and yesterday, re-
calling the INDEPENDENTS announcement
made. Going down Helena avenue, to the
left just below the armory. attention is first
attracted by big piles Of lumber with two
large buildings in their midst, and Just be-
low these the gas works. Getting closer,
one can decipher the sign, 1.-The Montana
Lumber and Manufacturing Company"
Once in the yard one is rather puzzled by
the car tracks-apparently they run in every
direction without reason. closer lnspec-
ton shows the establishment lies right be-
tween the main lines of the Montana Cen
trail and the Northern Pacific, with side.
tracks 90 arranged that n train OF lumber
coming in from Missoula can be switched
from the Northern Pacific INTO the yards
and onto side track which connects with
tho Montana Central, but q
little distance away and taken to
Great Falls. Benton or Chinook
without the extra work of reloading. These
two main lines are advantages possessed BY
no other lumber firm in sthe city, and was
the point looked afterwhen the selection of
the location was made. Three acres of
ground are covered by the yard, warehouse
and mill, exclusive of the right of way.
The great lumber piles are replenished as
rapidly as drawn upon, the new stock COM
which are located in the finest timber Sec
ton Of Missoula county, and fifth one in
this county. A new mill has just been
started on the Occur d'Alene branch, and
the company can now fill any sort of an or
der for timber on the shortest notice.
There is now on hand and has been since
the business started the largest stock Of No.
/ clear timber Of any yard in the state and
of the best quality. There is a fire hydrant
about in the center of the yard, with ECO
feet of hose always attached with the noz-
zle on, SO in case of fire there can be no de-
lay in getting stream playing.
of interest & the mill. This is txo-ssory
building G0xS0 feet, with basement. In
the basement is 75-horse power Atlas
engine and all the main shafting. All the
modern appliances for safety and good re-
suits are at hand, among them being a
clutch pulley, by the use Of which the engi-
neer can in an instant stop all the machin-
cry in the building in case of accident.
Another feature is a Sturtevant shaving
exhauster, by which all the shavings in the
mill, as they are taken off by the planners,
are carried down into the engine room,
easily accessible if needed, or if not, se-
iron door. At night tho engine room is
thoroughly cleared Of all shavings and
sprinkled down, SO there 10 no danger of fire
through carelessness. u &
On the first floor of the mill are the vari-
GUS machines used for saving, planning,
matching and other finishing work, all OF
the Fay make, among them resaw and
scroll saw, which will turn out siding
one eighth Of an inch thick and twenty-four
inches wide. All the machines are the best
of their kind and adapted for rapid and
perfect work.
On the second floor there are just being
set up fourteen new machines, the rapid
growth Of the business necessitating their
addition to the already extensive plant. On
this floor all the hardwood work is done,
including turning, there being one machine
with. capacity for turning up to sixteen
feet long, the greatest in the state. The
machines are all fitted with clutch pulleys,
machine.
Leaving the mill, the visitor is next
shown the warehouse. Here are stored
great quantities of doors, sashes and other
finished material ready for the builder, as
we'll as box after box of common and
r%nSv QrvynE 1~.N~
81 ea she o as is
has in stock all sorts of hardwood, eastern
pine and California redwood, and carries
everything in the finishing line needed in
this market, being prepared to fill all Or
ders at short notice. The business extends
rate. kh
4, OF course, an establishment of the kind,
while capital is necessary to run it success
fully. requires also brains and experience.
The president, A. NJ. H9lter, has long been
known in Montana ast bne of the most
prominent lumber dealefH. G. II. Wood,
the treasurer. has also bssn in the business
town Office. w. H. Gebater, the secretary,
has charge of the yard md mill and it is
largely owing to his executive ability and
knowledge Of the business that it has at
tanned its present proportions. He has
taken advantage of every late improve
ity or safety, and in consequence the
Montana Lumber and Manufacturer Co. g
plant is model of it's kind. Originally
a builder, Mr.. Gebauer before becom-
ing member of the present company was
for II years in the planning mill business
and the experience thus gained of the re-
sources and needs of this section has stood
him in good stead. The books are in
charge of VIM. F. Rector, known to be one
Of the best men in his line in the whole
state.
Taken altogether, the Montana Lumber
and Manufacturing company is a strong
and at its present rate Of
growth, will soon equal the big establish
ments of st. Paul and Chicago.
Eowles' cash store carries tho Iargest line Of
notions and fancy goods in the city.
Hammocks, Cr0Guetat and Base Ball
Goods at Calkins T. Featherly's.
M and IL oros-urnin Az, r51,.. -lnl..