The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-04-26
Man Who Gave Gun Works Inter-
national Character Died Rich
est Person 10 Germany
Big CELEBRATION is PLANNED
viii be Held Next August and
Notables will Attend
Daughters Inherited Bulk OF Great
Weslth.-Firm Employs 10000
People.

Berlin. April -6.-Today marked the
centennial anniversary of the birth of
Alfred Krupp who. while he was not
he actual founder Of the great Krupp
gun works was the one who gave
and at the time of his death was
Gormany's greatest manufacturer. The
father of Alfred Krupp was a small
blacksmith at Essen. Alfred inherited
he family iron forge, employing three
men. and which had beer In operation
since 1870 and he at once set about
enlarging the business. but had no
money or pc Cwerful friends, and his pro-
grcss was SLOW. He saw, however,
the possibilities of the great exposition
10 open in London IN 1851 and de-
cided TO take advantage Of IL. He
had made important discoveries in the
casting of large masses of Bessemer
steel, which had been an insurmontable
task previous TO his time. The exhibit
he sent TO the London exposition fair
ly astonishcd the world. being a block
weighing forty five German quintals.
Il at once established his reputation,
. No Guns for France.
The making of heavy ordnance,
which has made the name of Srupp
famous the world over. was at first not
"A prominent part of the business. But
soon general foundry work and the
making of small arms began to take
second place at Essen, as heavy steel
siege guns and armor plate demanded
more and more attention. During the
past half century Krupp ordnance has
roared all over the world. Tho huge
guns with which the Germans poured
shells into Paris during the siege were
made at Essen. Some of the guns that
fired at Dewcy's squadron at Manila
came from there. All European nations
purchased guns there. France alone eN-
cepted, for since the France Prussian
war the Krupps have refused to make
guns for France.
As the business grew coliaterial in
dustrhes developed, and Essen. which
had been a tiny village, expanded into
a large city. Statistics published Cor
the past year show that the firm en-
ployed nearly 10000 officials, clerks and
workmen. The coal and coke consump-
ton for the year amounted to 2,40l, ,4O6
tons. The number Of steam engines in
the plant was 569. The firm has its
own enormous electrical works and gas
works and maintains an Independent
telegraph and telephone system with
upwards of 400 stations. The cast
steel works alone require 81 miles of
railway, 81 locomotives aA about B.
600 cars In the development OF its
industry the firm has bought it's own
coal mines, coke ovens. iron mines,
steamships and railroads.
Richest Man In Germany.
Alfred sI<rupp died in 1887 and was
succeeded in command Of the works by
his son Friedrich \. Krupp. Under
the lattcr's management the works
continued to prosper and expand. AT
the time of his death i'm 1902 he was
by far the richest man in Germany.
He left the bulk of his wealth. in
cluding the great steel and gun works
at Essen. the shipyards at Kiel. the
gun and arnor works at Madgeburg
and the coal and iron mines, to his
daughter. Bertha. who in 1906 was
married to Herr Won Bohlen und Hal :
bach who has since taken a prominent
part in the management of the great
l,a oh
Halbach is popularly called the En-
press of Essen-the richest woman in
the world--the most powerful.
Bio Celebration In August
Though today was the centennial an
niversary or the birth of Alfred Krup7
whose discovery laid the foundation
for the tremendous business that has
since developed under the family name
there was no observance of the day
as il has been decided 70 combine the
celebration with that OF the centenary
of the Krupp works. The dual ceic-
bration will take place at Essen next
August and will be attended by tne
Kaiser at the head of a brilliant ga
laxy of his fellow-German scvereigns
officers of the army and navy, and civic
dignitarics. Distinguished representa-
tives of the iron and steel industry In
all parts of the world will be pres
ent. Special invitations are TO be sen
TO Andrew Carnegie and Charles M
Schwab asking them to head the delo
cation from tffe United states.
Unique Sham Battles.
A feature of the festivities will be q
series Of sham battles. Men armed
with weapons of the era Of Emperor
Macmillan l. will make such head
way as they can against an arm,
equipped with modern rifles and artil
lery. The Emperor and other roya
guests will be entertained during th'
celebration at the Villa Hugel. th'
magnificent country house Of "Fra'
Bertha" Just outside Essen.