Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-05
PEOPLE DEDICATE
CLAM HATCHERY
Speakers of National Reputa-
ton Are Heard at Fair
port Ceremonies.
J. F. BOEPPLE Is HONORED
Tablet Is Unveiled to Memory of the
Founder of MusseI Industry
Rotary Club Is Present.

several thousand people attended
the dedication exercises of the labora-
tory at Fairport. Iowa, yesterday after
noon. The Rotary clubs of Rock
Island and Davenport attended the
ceremonies in body. making the trip
CT the steamer Prescott. Special
trains from various cities in Rock
Island and Scott counties carried
others to the scene.
The occasion was one which served
as an opportunity of giving expression
OF the debt owed the late j. f.
Boepple, the founder of the industry.
Nearly every one of the speakers paid
tribute to the native of Germany, who
was the first to realize the possibi!i-
ties of the mussel shell. Several
years ago when the pearl button in
dustry was threatened because of the
depletion of the shell beds, the United
States government extended financial
aid in the hope that the propagation
of the mussel might be accomplished
through scientific methods. Thus far
the government has expended more
than S125.000 and the new biological
station and other buildings at Fairport
stand as evidence of the cooperation
of Uncle Sam.
The afternoon ceremonies opened
by an ovation by Rev. Webster Hakes,
rector of the Trinity Episcopal church
of Muscatine. and the vast assemblage
stood with bowed heads while he offer
ed the prayer. Attorney f. NJ War
ner of Muscatine acted as chairman
fnt he first
program. DIR. r. f. Cocker, the direc-
tor of the station. DR.. Coker made
the address of welcome, and lauded
the people for their activities in pro-
curing the station for Fairport.
H. NJ. Metzgar, who was one of the
most active spirits in the promotion
of the picnic, responded to the address
of welcome. He said the Fairport sta
ton would be a lasting monument TO
the men who inspired it, and who
through their efforts made it a posi-
bility.
Government Accepts Tablet
One of the features of the program
in the afternoon was the unwilling of
a bronze tablet in memory of the late
J. F. Boepple. This tablet was pre-
scented by J. Z. Krouse of Davenport
on behalf of the National Pearl But
ton manufacturers and was accepted
on behalf of the government by Dr.. II.
T. Moore of Washington, who repre-
scented the bureau of fisheries at the
exercises. DR.. Moore made a speech
to the occasion. He was
by DR.. Chauncey Juday of
and DR.. S. a. Forbes of Hi |
oh To- ftr,c
talks.
The founder of the industry was
in an eloquent manner by 1
E. NJ. Warner of Muscatine. 1
who presided as chairman during the /.
afternoon. Mr.. Boepple was eulogized |
as the dreamer who lives forever rath- /
er than the toiler who dies in a day |
The departed Teuton was referred to |
as one of the most notable figures in /
the industrial field.
The memorial address was as fol-
lows:
These suggestions have in part been
by the life of the man whose
name is carved on yonder memorial
tablet BY accident | came to know
him in his years of early struggle.
learning, without wealth, in
fact, in poverty, he saw a source of
wealth which up to his day had been
overlooked 1t was, | believe, in 1891
IT 1892 that j. Fred Boepple came TO
NY office on an errand not associated
With his business. 1t was the first
ime ! had seen him. He was then a
,talwart, vigorous young man speak
ng English imperfectly. but bearing
every mark of a determination which
10 encouragement could daunt He
old me that he was making buttons
mt OF mussel shells taken from the
river, employing an ordin-
.ry foot lathe as his source of power.
lie had the great, deep-set eyes of the
reamer. In his imperfect English,
which was not improved by his enthus-
astic faith in himself and his dis
,overy, he pictured a day not distant
vhen a great industry would rise out
# his humble efforts. No doubt dis