Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
HE Moline Wagon company has
bought the property west of its

DOuSnJ the property west OF us
factory formerly occupied by
the Union Malleable company. This
gives them additional frontage of $50
feet on Third avenue by $50 feet deep.
The property is practically covered
with buildings, which are being re-
modelled for the extension of the
company's works. There will be some
additional buildings erected, and
when the alterations are made the
buildings will be used for manufac-
turing and warehouse purposes. The
price paid for the grounds was S32,-
500, and at the price il is cheap prop
erty.
While the Wagon company has
been one of the largest concerns in
the country. this new addition to its
plant puts il in position for turning
out enough wagons to make it the
largest works in the world engaged
solely i'm the manufacture of but one
best grade of farm wagons. Not on
~ is the plant larger one, but ii is
equipped with the most valuable and
the best machinery that modern in
vention has produced for wagon max
ing.
One of the most important ma
chimes, the one that shapes the axle
for the skein. is the Invention of one
Of the employees of the shop. So inn
portant a machine is this that il is
now used by all manufacturers of
wagons. and the principle involved in
it has been adopted in the manufac-
turc of many other articles. The
company is constantly at work seek
this way it keeps in front in those
methods that cheaper the manufac-
ture or add to the strength of the
wagons they make.
The cut which is given ON this page
does not show the great lumber yards
of the company. These yards con-
tain an immense supply of every vari-
ETY. Of wood used in wagon making
There is not a better stock of lumber
for wagon making To he found any
where. Every stick of il * carried in
the yards for at least three years in
sheds under cover, thus avoiding eN-
posture to- the elements while season
ing. and that which requires more
time is kept till il is perfectly sea
soncd.
Every man who owns a wagon
knows that the perfect seasoning of
the lumber is the most essential
thing in the wear of the wagon. No
matter how well il is put together. if
the wood is not well seasoned. the
heat of summer shrinks it. and the
wagon goes to pieces. Possibly the
greatest testimonial to the care tax
en- by the Moline Wagon company in
this respect is the experience of the
company in Texas. They proudly
claim the distinction of having the
largest trade in that state of any fac
tory in the country. and they have 1t
because their wagons stand the eli
mate there better than any other
wagon.
1t is well known that there is no
other state where the climate so Sc
verely tests the strength of a farm
wagon as the severe heat and high
and dry temperature has the most
ruinous effect on the wood material.
causing it To shrink away from the
iron parts unless the material is of
the finest grade and thoroughly sea
soned. The Argus representative was
shown letters from that state from
customers who have bought wagons
in three and four carload lots every
year for many years. in which they
say that during all that time they
have never had case of loose tire.
Only those who have dealt in wagons
or used them on the farm know what
care has to be taken in the manufac-
ture of the wagon and how carefully
the wood must be seasoned to insure
such n result as this.
Switch tracks run in every direc-
ton in the yards. and all the lumber
is piled directly from the cars
The reputation of the wagons of
this company has assisted greatly in