The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-05-24

Fargo's manufacturing concerns US
ing sheet material consume an average
OF ninety car loads OF this substance
annually. This is converted into metal
culverts, steel ceilings and sidings,
grain and stock tanks, metal shingles,
cornices and host OF other things
greatly in demand.
So important has Fargo become as
a consumer OF sheet metal that visit
was paid the city by the Sheet Metal
Manufacturers' association last year.
While here the members of this asso-
citation stated that Fargo was one of
the largest users of the material in
the west.
Some of the largest factories OF the
town are users OF this material which
is made into those things so greatly
in demand in the northwest. Two OF
these numerous concerns are the
North Dakota Metal Culvert Co, and
the Fargo Cornice works. Both are
institutions that have started in
small way. They have demonstrated
that the city has many advantages as
q manufacturing center. They have
developed into factories that cannot be
surpassed In the country. They supply
a large territory with their goods and
have been factors in the development
Of the city from financial standpoint.
The North Dakota Metal culvert Co.
Last year the North Dakota Metal
Culvert Co., manufactured $4,000
lineal feet OF metal culverts. A con-
ception of the enormity Of this output
can be gained when it is known that
this would make almost eleven miles
OF cufverts II placed end to end. This
Includes all sizes Of culverts from six
inch pipe to culverts several feet in
diameter.
This thriving institution started In
a small way in a small frame shed
at 206 N. P. avenue. 1t was originated
by Messrs Ri@tine and O'Neill Of
CrawfordsviIIe, Ind. These gentlemen
recognized the value Of such an in
dustry in the northwest and also
grasped the fact that Fargo was the
natural distributing point for all this
great territory. The first years busi-
ness was limited to a few thousand
feet but this was rapidly increased
as the demand for the new kind Of
cllverts grew greater In March 1906
the partnership was succeeded by the
present corporation.
Business was continued in the little
shop on N. p. avenue until December
1907 when the present fine new plant
on Fourth street north and on the
Great Northern right of-way was oc-
cupied. The business early incorporat-
ed. It has undoubtedly made one Of
the most phenomenal growths Of any,
manufacturing institutions Of the city.
The officers are. w II. Ristine,
president; r. H. O'Neall, vice presi
dent and treasurer and J. S. Walton,
secretary. The otice force is composed
of P. T. Walton, manager; r. H. Bush,
assistant manager and Miss Estelle
Peterson, stenographer. In addition
there Is an efficient road force COM
posed of z. H. O'Neall, F. T. Gardner,
y. w. Wheeler and H. c. Dermer.
y Make Many Articles.
The success of the North Dakota
Metal Culvert Co., is due largely to
the ability Of its officers, the excel
!ence Of it's product and the fact that
1t located in the right town. IS lum-
ber became more expensive. men look
ed around for material from which
% r.lske culverts that would be cheaper
and have longer life. Galvanized
iron was thought OF but when made
directly into g. tube from the sheet 1T
had little strength and would crush
under a light load.
This company, however, corrugated
the shestS and then rolled them into
the required size of tubes. II was
found that this gave the culverts an
almost phenomenal strength. AS q
durable material it is one OF the best
to be secured. There was a great
field for such a product in the north
west. The demand has constantly in
creased and the factory has developed
in proportion.
Culverts are the principle articles
manufactured but in addition the fac
tory is making large numbers OF gall
vanized portable grain bins for which
there is a great demand in this grain
raising country. Corrugated metal well
curbing, stock water tanks. galvanized
cisterns and a number of other pro-
ducts from galvanized sheet metal
are also turned out. These things have
increased the output OF the. factory
to such an extent that at the present
time the capacity Of the new factory
is taxed to the utmost.
Factory is Most Complete.
Since occupying the new building
at sol and 519 Fourth street north,
the corporation has had the most COM
plete cuivert factory in the United
States. All the machines are Of the
most modern pattern and include rolls,