The Helena independent., 1892-09-25
CRACKERS FOR MILLIONS
Helena Branch Of tho American Bis
cult Company Turns Out Its
First Product
Many Representative Business
Men and Politicians Attend
tho Opening.
The Factory One Of the Meat Com pists II
the Country and Its Capacity Equal
to All Demands.

II was a representative gathering Of Helena
business men that assembled yesterday
afternoon at the factory OF the American
Biscuit and Manufacturing company on
Boulder avenue. They wore here in re-
sponse 10 the invitation Of Manager u. Van
Riley. 10 taste the first crackers baked in
the big ovens. and to see for themselves
that the company he represents had fulfilled
the promise it made when It said it would
bald in Helena complete cracker factory.
fitted with the latest and best appliances
and with capacity sufficient to supply the
trade in this and adjoining states. The
interest taken in the enterprise by Helena
people WAS proven by the mon who left
their stores and Offices and spent an hour in
inspecting the establishment and enjoying
Mr.. Kilsy's hospitality. Gov. Tools was
there, o. was Mayor J. G. Curtin. Sheriff
Jeffsris, Treasurer Bardsn, Aldermen Post,
Hanley. Wisber. Jackson, Walker and
Morris. Com odore Power and Col. Sanders
were there and G. d. Curtis. F. II. Wallace
j. s, Featherly. The banking interests
were represented by 8. G. Ashby, Il. Fl.
Kleinschmidt. A, J. SsliRmsn. l.. G. Phelps,
Geo. b. Child and Frank Baird. Those
who first took an active interest in ths en-
terpriss and to whom is largely due the es-
tablishment OF the factory, D. A. Cory, H.
Bridenthai, 9. G. Evans and j. b. Sanford
ware among the first to arrive and the last
to depart They saw the idea they had con-
ceived brought to full fruition and were
happy accordingly. Among other repre-
sentatives OF the mercantile interests were:
H. N: Parehen. p. A. Patsnsuds. =. Wom-
Clarke. M. Reinip, Il. l.. Martin. +. 8.
Lang. g. G. Stubba, ). Il. Lockwood. A.
Hslwig, +. Sass and A. T. Curtin. In addi-
tion to the above among others present
were: J. Stedman. II. L. Walker, J. W.
Carpenter. S. Il. McIntire, Geo. Beattie, r.
H. Floyd-Jones VIM. Ksed, r. Jockey,
John W. Thompson. VIM. DsLaosy. H. B.
Foote Massena Bullard. w. E. Coz. L. A.
Walker, W. E. Cullen. F. N. Fletcher. Jos.
Davis. J. J: Rohrbaueh. I. Marks. J. B.
Atchison, H. o. Wilson. W. A. Chessman.
A. B. Keith, E. W. Fiske and G. F. Gage.
The visitors first inspected the factory
from the engine room to the bakery and
then proceeded to the top floor. This will
be utilized later as the candy mauufaotur.
ing department, but Yesterday couple
hundred chairs had been placed in posi-
bowl of punch, hanked with piles of hot
crackers. just from tho oven. which the
guests had seen smade up and baked few
minutes before. An hou- or more wae
spent in this depn tment and informal
talks were made by Col. Sanders, Commo-
dore Power, r. Lockey and others. Mana
ger Riley was n model host, and while he
saw that no one left the building without
having the opportunity of inspecting every
uart of it, he let each see 1t in his own way,
The visitors went to their houses and Of
fees fully impr essed with the fact that the
| ''cracker factory" was sure 30, and that il
would become, ere long. an important fac.
tor in the oity's business.
1t was more than year ago that repre-
sentative Of the American Biscuit and Man.
ufacturing company. in tho person Of Mr.
Garneau, fist came to Helena. He wal
making tour of the northwest. with a
view Of establishing a factory in come SUBJ
stantial, central and growing CITY. After
careful consideration he concluded that
Helena was the best point In this section
az it was centrally located, had railroads
reaching out in all directions, and already
had a we'll established and large jobbinQ
trade. II was not until last spring, how.
wav bought. and the work Of construction
was begun early in April. G. 5. Appleton
was the architect and contractor. while MIR.
Sommsrs. OF tho Denver factory, superin.
tended the work. The building 10 after the
stvle of all the factories owned by the CON-
avenue, and 10 100 feet deep. Il
il substantially built of brick and
stone, and oontains four floors. The first
floor will be used for storing boxes and
molasses. and will also contain the boiler
and engine. the former OF sixty horse
1~AA -
improved Crane freight elevate. runs from
tho hrst to the top floor. On the second
tioor are the offices, sample and sales rooms,
he office to the right OF the entrance Ii
large and commodious, oonvsniantly fitted
UP, and from it the manager has an unob.
structea view OF the entrance, sample and
sa!esroom. The bakeshop proper j. on the
twelve-pan revolving engine, weighing
eighteen tons, with baking capacity OF
$50 barrels day. On this are also thu
p aokinR tables, racks for pans. and all the
! other necessary machinery and utensils.
The fourth floor will be used at present 70.
turing department. In every detail the
| building is as perfect as experience and
money cen make II. The machinery 10 all
of the latest and most approved pattern,
and the best that il made. On every floor
there IL an electric bell, and toilet and
CAONA TOO"S ZOE tu0 1uAlD Auu IoIuAlo uelps
The building is excellently lighted. has IN
, su' passed railroad facilities. and of the
twenty five factories owned by the company
10 not surpassed by any.
The Helena factory will use Montans
-four almoat exclusively. and one of the
sights yesterday were 5000 sacks of the
White Lily brand, the manufacture of the
Montana Milling Co. About fifty people
will be employed at first, and all of these.
save three or four experienced men. will be
Helena people. Il. Van Riley. the manager
is one of the most experienced biscuit men
in the northwest. having been actively en-
gagged in it for the past ten years. The
foreman of the factory. w. r. Melick, of
Minneapolis. has had a number of years
experienoe, and IL a first class baker. When
fully under way the factory will turn out
100 different styles of goods. and its terri
toy will cover not only Montana, but
adjoining states. Tomorrow or the next
day the work of manufacturing for the
trade will begin.
Mr.. Riley believes that within two years
1t will be necessary to enlarge tho factory.
There is ample room for this ~ there are
fifty feet on the east aide and forty on the
weat Of the factory TINT can be utilized.