Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-02-19
Plano Mfg. Company Moves Branch
Offices to Market Street.
ARRANGEMENT OF THE BUILDING
The Growth of Business Makes 1t Ne
cessary to Have More Room-ot-
tumwa Distributing Point for South
ern Iowa and Northern Missouri.

binder had become g very prominent
factor in the harvest field, the Plano
Mfg. company, of Chicago, ILL.,. estab-
lished a general agency in Ottumwa.
The business was carried on in con-
junction with general vehicle and
implement stock, and altho not push
ed any more than any other line car
ried, the superior features of these
machines established reputation that
has been invaluable in later years.
| This was in the days of the old wire
binder, and as the study and work of
practical men, developed and brought
out the machine that did the work with
| Irvine, the Plano had exclusive fea-
lures and advantages that more firm
ly every year clinched it's place in the
estimation of the farmers.
Thru business changes and the in
creased demand for these goods, the
Plano agency was moved from it's
first location on Court street to the
old skating rink building. the sight
where the Courier now is. In this place
altGo it was handled by different par
| ties, the merits of the machine with
out any special effort on the part of
the local managers. attracted a grow
ing patronage and in short time the
company, realizing that Ottumwa must
have an exclusive Plano establishment
secured commodious quarters in
building on Commercial street, put a
new manager in charge and had more
room for its increasing business. The
reputation established years before,
lstill held. and the number OF Plano
machines sold were largely increased
4 with each season. This place was oc-
cupied for seven years.
] About two years ago, S. M. Wilson,
a man who had grown up with the
selfbinder, and who was then agent
for the Piano Manufacturing company
lat Red Oak, was sent to Ottumwa to
take charge of the Office here. I'm
4 Ger his management came new life,
energy and vim into the Ottumwa de-
partment of the Plano company. An
i aggressive; legitimate bid for business
was made, and thru earnest efforts
many dealers, for the first time, sold
Plano machines. the result of the
progressive and earnest efforts of the
men connected with the business in
this city, was, that still larger quar-
tiers were needed and after consider
liable delay, Mr.. Wilson has succeeded
in getting one of the finest locations
IN the city for this business The
Plano Manufacturing company now oc-
cupies the entire building, Nos. 226
and 22S, SSx125 feet. two stories and
basement, at the foot of Market street,
Immediately across the tracks from
the bridge
The whole interior and exterior of
the building has been remodeled and
REPAIRED, and no more complete ar
rangement can be imagined. At the
rear and side, next to the track are
platforms from which two cars can be
dnloaded or loaded at the same time.
In the main room, which is the en-
tire first floor, will be stored the goods
from which southern Iowa and north
. ern Missouri will be supplied.
In the front part of the second floor
is the suite of offices. They have the
air of the business proposition all the
way thru. just back of the Offices, is
the sample room where Jones Lever
binder and a mower are set up ready
for work. Here is where Mr.. Wilson
dwells-here is where he shows call
ers what he claims is the finish
ed product-the highest development
of harvesting machinery-as he ex
plains the simplicity and the reasons
for the light draft, and other good fea
lures of Plano machinery
J Back of the sample room is the re
pair department, and the indeXed pyr
amids of repairs and parts of the diff
ferent machines made by the company
: The whole building has been ar
ranged according to the requirement!
considered necessary to accommodate
the large transfer and local bushes.
which will be carried on in Ottumws
4 by this firm.
Some idea of the immense volume
done by the Plano Mfg Co. can be
realized when it is known that it tool
over 10000 machines to supply the
foreign trade in 1900.
The policy of the Plano company
has been such, that thousands o
their representatives, who commenc
ed to handle Plano machines the frs
year of their manufacture, are still
handling them. This is also true o
farmers who purchased old STYLE
Plano binders, mowers, rakes, headers
etc, years ago and still cling to Tho
Plano and are buying Jones Leve
Binders. Jones Mowers, etc. Coco
goods and good treatment secure sue
cess Simplicity, light draft and dur
ability has ever been their watch
word, and plain talk for distinct I'm
derstandihg the key to success.
Mr.. Wilson informs us that TIL,
change in Otturnwa is only in keeping
with changes at other general agen
cies. st. Louis, Kansas City, Minneap
oils and other large distributing cen
tiers, have recently been compelled II
secure larger quarters in order to tax,
better care of their customers and Thu
ever increasing business.
Failing to find relief from the girl
with old methods, / took Dr. Miles
Pain Pills, Nervine and Nerve an,
Liver Pills and was permanent,
cured."-Gust Egan, jackson, Mich.
I. Beers Occupy Town.