Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-28
hundred such establishments in the

city.
The simpleness and evident safety of
the industry was most alluring and for
while a regular Klondike rush was
on to get into the business. Gradually,
however, the smaller factories COM
menced to fall out of line and at pres
ent smaller number but more sub
stantial institutions carry on the busi-
ness in the city. The number of fac
tories now in operation is about half
that the city contained at one time but
nevertheless number which always
proves an astounding piece of informa-
ton to strangers.
Anecdotes Of NIr. Boepple.
AS the leading figure in the button
business in the country Mr.. Boepple
has had some varied eXperieces rang
ing from highly honorable to peculiar
and laughable incidents. Many of these
Mr.. Roepple spoke of in his own inter-
esting way while talking to the report
er. Letters from all over the globe
come to him every day questioning
him on his process and plan and ask
ing as to the possibilities of the busi-
ness. He says that he receives such
communications from Mexico, japan,
Australia, and Canada, SO widely is his
name identified with the industry.
Consulted by Dlngley.
When the lamented Dingley was pre-
pairing his great tariff bill Mr.. Boepple
was summoned to Washington through
the agency of Hon. G. M. Curtis to con-
suit with the great man on the sub
ject. In the minds of these law maxi
ers he was the one man in the United
States who was an authority on the
new and great subject of pearl button
manufacture in the United States and
could give them the desired informa-
ton. For one whole day, says Mr..
Boepple, he sat in Dingley's office and
advised and counseled with him in re-
gard to that section of his tariff bill
which applied to the button industry.
He asked me many questions" said
Mr.. Boepple, "about all of the differ
ent grades, sizes, prices, etc., and often
would request my advice on different
points. 1t was then that I had an OPP
| portunity to knock the agate buttons
in the head. These were being sold at
the killing price of 10 cents per great
gross and would have soon smashed
the button business in the United
States had the tariff not been SO adj
justed as to prevent such calamity"
| AT Mr.. Dingley's request Mr.. Boep-
pie explained the whole button situa-
ton to him as it stood in the old coun-
try and in America. 81 told him.
said Mr.. Boepple show / had learned
the trade in Germany and how If l
still lived there I would fight the tar
lift as hard as the democrats fight it
now. 1t is only under the Mckinley
protective tariff that the button bust
ness can be success in the United
States.''
In his visits at Washington Mr.Boep-
pie had the pleasure of meeting and
talking with President Mckinley who
seemed very much interested in the
button business. As he shook hands
and conversed with Mr.. Boepple he
asked him many questions about the
4 industry. Nor was his interest only a
passing fancy but a permanent thing
which has led him to address several
letters to Mr.. Boepple at intervals
since then to ascertain how the BUSH
ness was progressing and the measure
Of its success. AS can be imagined the
J letters are held at the Office Of the