Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-02-02
FORMAL OPENING OF THE GAS
ENGINE PLANT.
A Large Crowd Present to Celebrate
The Event and Hear the Speak
ers and See The Machinery
In Action.

The most important event in the
history OF Canton, in cOmmerclaI
way, took place last Saturday after
noon when at least 500 men and d
mum Der OF ladies assembled in the
big machinery building to do honor tC
the genius and patriotism OF Jefferson
knowltOn. the founder Of the knOwl-
ton Manufacturing Co., and to see tuI
themselves the extent and value Of
the new works.
The elegant and costly automatic
machinery was set In motion for the
benefit Of the visitors and all marvel
ed at the beauty and perfect action
OF the machines. When the machinery
was stilled the Gate City band, under
tee leadership Of Prof. lndseth open
cd the proceedings with music half al
hour before the time announced, but
large crowd was present and all
anxious to hear the speakers.
Judge Kennedy was the first speak
er and opened with a review Of the
Sioux Valley, covering his residence
in Canton for 40 years. lie told OF
coming here and looking the country
over and was satisfied that there was
no better country any where. He
pinned his faith on Lincoln county
and he believes his Judgment of &c
years ago had been amply verified. lie
spoke of the growth and development
OF the Sioux Valley and was proud to
say he had done his share in the glOri-
Gus work. and that the present eVid-
ence of prosperity justified the eStab'
lishment of the knowltOn Manufact-
u-ing plant, and predicted a brilliant
future for the company, and spoke in
flattering terms Of the industry,
energy and public spirit of the men
who had shown their faith in Canton.
Prof Indseth and his band gave
number that was fine and then
came the next speaker.
Attorney A. r.. Brown followed
Judge Kennedy and he felt enrhusi-
astic over the event. He con nined his
remarks largely to the future of the
gas engine and spoke in tlattering
terms of Mr. Knowlton and his long
struggle to accomplish and establish
one of the most perfect gas engine
factories in the United States, a
plant that contained the best .nachin-
cry made and buildings that were
modern In every detail. He predicted
a glorious future for the Company.
More music by the band followed
Attorney Browns fine address and
then came Judge Clifford as the next
speaker.
Judge Clifford spoke OF the Sioux
Valley as one of the greatest. corn,
cattle and hog prod ducing sections in
the northwest and Of the necessity
for modern facilities to meet the pro-
gressive spirit Of the age. The day OF
the wind mill is passed, the day OF
the gas engine is here. and Canton s
new gas engine factory comes in time
to meet the progressive spirit OF our
farmers. The handy gas engine will
do all kinds Of work on the farm where
power is needed and the factory and
print ting Office cam t get along without
them. He paid high compliment to
Mr.. KnOwlton and the men aSSOciat-
ed with him in his great enterprise
and predicted splendid future for
the plant, and substantial financial
reward for those who have backed
their faith with their money.
Music by the band.
Henry Bradshaw, Of Worthing, was
the next and last speaker of the pro-
gram. He told of his faith and friend
ship for Jeff KnoWltun, and how he
had watched his efforts from the be-
ginning, and was convinced that Mr..
knowlton would succeed because of
his unceasing efforts to overcome
every obstacle, always facing the
future with light heart and smile
that carried conviction. He told of
his inventions to produce the best
and simplest and most powerful en-
gine made and OF his success in that
line, and believed that the Knowlton
gas engines are the best made at
least there are none better. ~ was Sc
thoroughly convinced of Mr.. Knowl-
tons success" said the speaker. THAT
| always stood ready to back him for
any amount he might require in
the development and building OF
his engines Mr.. Bradshaw said
that Canton was indeed fortunate in
securing the Knowlton Manufactur.
ing plant, because the benefits to be
derived from such a splendid industry
was beyond the estimate of the most
enthusiastic.
The band gave the big crowd some
lively music and then jeff knowlton
was called for.
Mr.. Knowlton got upon the plat
form, and it was not hard to figure
out that he was about the happiest
man in Canton. He smiled and re-
turned thanks 70 his friends for theil
generous con nfidence. and ali the time
he was talking his face wore smile
that wouldn't come Off, and he talked