Newspaper Page Text
-.*•£- JV *C /v. SPECIA MWSnLV.. BUTTO N :W? r»S#^' Elkjer (Compiled by R. B. Beal and V. L. Rushfeldt.) It is with no little pride that the publishers of The Tribune present to 'he local public and the world at large edition of this paper which Has been made to speak so eloquently for Willmar and her many and varied in terests. Even a casual perusal will convince the most skeptical stranger that our city is one of much more than passing note. The object of this edition is to pre sent to those who may be interested a brief resume of the growth and pros perity of Willmar, and of the condi tions which enter into that prosperity, and setting forth its advantages as a city of residence. In connection with this is also pre- sented brief reviews of some of the most progressive business firms 'and the men who furnish the brains, pu3li, energy and public spirit which enters so largely into the prosperity and growth of Willmar. A city is meas ured very largely by the character, ability and enterprise of the men and firms which constitute its business in terests, and in this respect Willmar Is peculiarly fortunate. No where can be found a more progressive and intelligent citizenship than that repre senting the commercial and profes sional interests of Willmar. They are conservative, yet enterprising, and every proposition having merit re ceives careful consideration, and, if found worthy, meets with liberal and hearty support. Willmar has never been compelled to withstand the throes of a profes sional boom but has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth from year to year, and is today a wholesome city, com mercially, socially and physically. Willmar schools that are the equal or superior of any in cities of Us class Its churches include almost ev ery denomination its homes are sub- 4 r^ !*3S frVX„. Every Want of Our Citizens Supplied From Willmar Retail Stores. With our 5,000 population and with our rapidly growing commercial trade, our productive agricultural section,. »ur splendid transportation facilities, ind our wide-awake and enterprising citizenship, Willmar is destined with in the next few years to take the high est rank among cities of her class in Minnesota in matters of general pub lic importance. ^JH Great Opportunities to Those Seeking Advantageous Loca tions for Industrial Establishments. TRADE EMPORIUMS BANKS, REAL ESTATE, ETC. Our Banks are Bulwarks of Willmar's Industry and Commerce... Insurance, Home and For eign, Well Represented. Real Estate Han dled By Able Men. stantial and in keeping with a pros perous people its banks are sound to the core and possessed of ample cap ital to do double the business required of them its streets are for the most part broad and shaded its mercantile establishments represent every line of trade and are prepared to properly care for the needs of their customers. The Tribune will not touch upon the history of Willmar the present and future are what most vitally concern us. This edition of this paper tells a story of more practical interest than that of past events. To tell of the Willmar of today, to boost the Will mar_of the NOW is what counjts.^g This is a greater Industrial Edition its intent is to engender a spirit of confidence in its readers in effect that Willmar is really a good town in which to live and do business, in which to invite the stranger to invest, because its development is safe and certain. WHAT WILLMAR OFFERS Did you ever stop to realize that the main factor in the upbuilding of a community is the outspoken confid ence of its people? The great cities of Chicago, Kansas City, Denver, Memphis, Atlanta, Portland, Spokane, Seattle, Los Angeles and others of their class are splendid examples of View of New Section of Fifth Street, Showing New Bank Building on Right, With New Opera House Adjoin ing, and New Masonic Temple Farther Down. Photo by Olson Bros. what persistent and consistent boost ing can accomplish for an American city. Each of these cities is daily growing in population and increasing its business with the outside world. None of them with the exception of Chicago and Seattle, is better located than this little city of ours. Not many years ago none of them was of more consequence than Willmar, but a de termination to win, to become greater than other towns by attracting people to them, to instill confidence and be lief in themselves have made these cit ies great marts of trade and the homes of an ever-increasing popula tion and consequent prosperity. The life of the knocker in such com munities is brief. He is a persona non grata. The only citizen who is welcome is the booster, which in plain language means the man who says "I can and will," the fellow who can grin gamely'in the face of adversity and pluckily meet conditions which would cause weaker men to despair. Willmar, the county seat of Kandi yohi county, is located on the Great XT _*v it ,. VOLUME 22. 16 PAGES WILLMAR, MINNESOTA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1915 Willmar is noted as a railroad centre and outclasses any point in the North west, barring Twin Cities. Nature could not have designed a more charming spot for the building of a city, and to nature's gift has been added man's industry. It is a flour ishing city beautifully situated in the heart of the lake district of Minne sota, and in the center of one of the most populous and richest farming and dairying sections of the. United States. Willmar has broad, and shaded streets, and is one of the best lighted cities in the state. It has a fine.sys tem of water works, good drainage, a fairly well equipped fire department, modern and up-to-date retail stores and markets where every article of either necessity or luxury may be purchased, a national and two state banks, with $340,000 capital and sur plus, public buildings, handsome in de sign and imposing in location, church es of most every denomination, a pub lic school system with its present amplification, is one of the best in the country, local and long distance tele phone facilities, first class hotels, the atres, electric service for lighting and cooking, lodges of the principal frater nal orders, and facilities for the prompt handling and distributing of freight, passenger, mail and express traffic equal to any city in the state. The time is coming, and in near fut ure, whenB-the Great Northern will build a new passenger station. The present freight depot is also entirely inadequate to meet the demands. The Willmar Tribune and the Re publican Gazette are two live weekly papers that spread the fame of our city broadcast. Commencing with today, let us ALL renew our allegiance to Willmar. Let us realize that we have just cause to be proud to say we live in Willmar, Minnesota, a town as good as any on earth. Let us get up and do things do things along the line of endeavor suggested in this issue. If every bus- iness man in Willmar would put forth some one effort out of the ordinary in his line of endeavor during the present year he will have created more busi ness for himself, more business for Willmar in general, more cause for praising and boosting his town. There are hundreds of evidences that the city is really rapidly improv ing that a loyal spirit for Willmar uplift prevails among all classes of her citizens. But we must not remain satisfied with what we have accom plished. There is room for much more improvement. Our city is made up of an intelli gent, God-fearing, enterprising and progressive people. Her institutions, both public and private, are up-to-date in every respect. In fact, Willmar stands well abreast of her sister cities of Minnesota. Let her slogan con tinue, "A Greater Willmar." Gunder Osmundson has an ever bearing strawberry plant, a sample from a bed in his garden, on exhibi tion in N. J. Peterson's store window I Northern Railway, one hundred and a^ and fall until frost two miles west of the twin cities. I comes. wonderful plant keeps up bear- WILLMAR A8 SEEN PROM COURTHOUSE TOWER. THE VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND PRESENT PASTORS. There are few cities more blessed with houses of worship than Willmar. Here a stranger may follow the dic tates of his own conscience, and at tend his own church, for all denomina tions are represented. And what is far better than that, all the congre gations are healthy in a spirit sense, and growing in the good work. In addition to the regular church services, Sunday schools and other auxiliaries are always open to the vis-, itor, and he finds a spirit of enthus iasm that will at once excite his own interest and admiration. The follow ing are the churches of the city with their pastors: Norwegian Lutheran Synod—Rev. J. N. Andersen, Pastor. Norwegian Lutheran Free—Rev. M. B. Michaelson, Pastor. Swedish Lutheran Bethel—Rev. W. E. Pearson, Pastor. Swedish Baptist—Rev. Paul Hallin, Pastor. Swedish Mission—Rev. A. J. Ostling, Pastor. Swedish Methodist—Rev. Theodore Livingstone, Pastor.** Separatist—Swan Edlund, Reader. First Presbyterian—Rev. W. Bryri Jones, Pastor. St. Luke's Episcopal—'Rev. E. R. Todd, Pastor. St. Mary's Catholic—Rev. Father C. McDevitt. First Methodist—Rev. J. L. Paramet er, Pastor. Christian Science—I. C. Tollefson, First Reader. Salvation Army Barracks on Third street. WHAT A NEWSPAPER The value of a live, energetic news paper to any town or city is absolute ly impossible of estimation. There are so many ways that the good news paper promotes the interest of the city and the individual citizens where it is published that it would be like trying to number the sands of the sea to enumerate them. It is the true friend of the city or town and every resident thereof stands ready to fight the battles even of individual citizens in a way that no other agency has either the nerve or the courage to do. It stands as a great bulwark of de fense for the city and for the people. But this is only one feature. There's another that is seldom giv en much thought and that is that the newspapers of any town or city are a paying investment for such place as industrial institutions. People wel come with open arms and loud ac claim any factory costing a few thou sand dollars and they think the town is wonderfully fortunate in securing a plant that will give employment to a number of people. Sometimes they even put up a bonus to secure -such a plant. There are many newspapers which give employment to a number of people, and nothing is thought of it. The money that comes to the pa pers is spent in the town or city where it is published. None of it goes away except for ink and paper and some other small supplies that cannot be bought at home. The newspaper is essentially a home institution. It works day and night to build up its home town and state, and spends its money freely with home people. It is published on strict business principles these days, and that is the reason for the growth and prosperity that has come to many papers during the past few years. As a business enterprise, a good newspaper is about the best industry that any town has, and its publishers ask nothing but a square deal. WHAT THE TRIBUNE WANTS If you or your friends are leaving the city or returning, the Tribune de sires to know it. If you or your friends hate friends visiting in the city the Tribune desires to know who they are, when they came and when they go. If you or your friends give a social gathering of any kind or if you know of such a gathering or of a wedding, the Tribune desires to know it. If an accident of any character oc curs and you hear of it, 'phone the Tribune at once. If you hear of a robbery, let the Tribune know immediately. If you know of cases of sickness or death, tell the Tribune at the earliest moment. In short, the Tribune wants you to give, personally or by 'phone any news that comes to your attention and desires it as early In the day as possible. Willmar retail merchants rank among the best of any in the state Thev carry the finest to be had In their respective lines and they sell I on margins under the motto of "Live! Handy Secretary, I and Let Live." ffr •i^j. ,"=#£V ^5 BANK OF WILLMAR. The city of Willmar is fortunate in possessing one of the indispensable requisites to commercial life, well rfegulated banks. The real functions of a bank are not what many people suppose, not merely, to receive de posits and negotiate loans, a bank is a| distributor of the products of hu man labor. This is the pioneer bank of our city for it dates back to 1874 when the business started as a private insti tution by Mr. H. H. Corson. Two years later, Mr. A. B. Bobbins became president and in 1884 the bank was re organized under state supervision with the capital of J40.000.00. In lfOl the splendid home now occupied by the Bank of Willmar.was erected and occupied. Three years ago the capital was raised to $100,000 and at present the. reports show a surplus of $25,000 of profits of $3,000.00. |The bank has always been managed along conservative lines, and has the fidence of the business element aav well as the general public. It has aJweir equipped savings department and is capable of handling large real te loans. Five per cent interest aid on time deposits. addition to a general banking inees the institution handles ship tickets and is agent for seten or eight of the strongest fire insurance companies in our country. An the modern appliances known in the way of protection are maintained both in the way of electric apparatus anil' burglar insurance. ^he officers of the Bank of Willmar ar| all bankers of a large' experience arid business men of ability, public mdih highly esteemed by the communi tyA Mr. F. G. Handy has been with the bank ever since 1878. At the last regular election, the following were chosen for the fiscal year: Mr. A.f.E. Rice, president S. B. Qvale, Vice-president F. G. Handy, cashier, and N. S. Swenson, assistant cashier. In addition to those above mentioned, J. S.,Bobbins, M. Jorgenson, Geo. W. Tyler and M. D. Manning are included inithe Board of Directors. .'', MsllirPA. JS. Rice, the president, *has been ^identified with the public life of Minnesota for many years. Having filled the "offices of Lieut. Governor and State Senator with honor, he is at present a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Minneso ta. Mr. Rice is a pioneer of Willmar, who for many years previous to his election to the presidency of the Bank of Willmar was with the firm of Rice & Manning, general merchandisers. He is a citizen who boosts because he knows every phase of the life of Willmar. Being a man of large finan cial means, his connection with this bank makes it the soundest kind of in stitution in every way. CENTRAL LIFE ASSURANCE CO. For considerable number of years the Central Life Assurance Society of Des Moines, Iowa, an old-line life insurance company, had its state headquarters in the Bank of Will mar building of our city. Mr. J. F. Branton, who for many years was chief dispatcher on the G. N. railroad, is the state manager, while Mr. A. A. Bakke and A. J. Nefson are district managers. The company is a life insurance corporation which has gained consid erable importance in the insurance world, and at present has just passed the forty million mark. They have about $2,744,000 of business in force in Minnesota. A little more than a million of which is in Kandiyohi coun ty. Before the end of the year they expect to increase the business in the state to $300,000,000 and that in Kan diyohi to $1,250,000. A short while ago Mr. Branton mov ed the state headquarters to the Ply mouth building in Minneapolis, but there is a large local office still in Willmar. Mr. Bakke is in charge of the agency here. There are also local agents as follows: Peter Henderson, Spicer. C. E. Melbye, Thorpe. A. J. Syse, Sunburg. WILLMAR COMMERCIAL CLUB The Willmar Commercial Club is an organization consisting of one hun dred business and professional men. The annual dues of the club are $6.00 per year, and the money thus derived is expended in carrying on the differ ent activities of the club. The purpose of the club, as stated in its. by-laws, is to encourage and promote the commercial and manufac turing interests of the city of Will mar, and to foster and encourage, through social intercourse, a public spirit and a feeling of loyalty to the city. The officers of the club at the pres ent time are as follows: President, T. O. Gilbert, Vice President, F. G. ?#11ra R. W. Stanford, ,| and Treasurer, C. W. Odell, J- fpS ^y*w8^s»^•*%•s H. N. Ashly, Raymond. A full reserve on every policy is sued by this company is secured by a deposit of approved securities of the state of Iowa. Thru their policy of settling all claims without litigation the Central Life Insurance Society has met with much popularity in our com munity. A number of death claims have been paid, in this county and all have been settled very promptly and satisfactorily. The local managers have always been given full power to aid in any enterprise which has the good of Will mar at heart. These gentlemen have become widely and favorably known throughout this section of the state. NICHOLS-HICKS-MCNAIRY COM PANY.- Wholesale Grocers. One of the most important factors in every city is the wholesale grocery business, and in this city it is looked after by Nichols-Hicks-McNairy Com pany, whose spacious quarters are m® ir west of the retail district near the Great Northern tracks. Three and a half years ago this Company was in corporated, and their recent home erected. They do a -general whole sale grocery business which covers a territory of a hundred miles in all directions. Everything in the way of popular brands of grocery merchandise is handled here, and the stock is kept The Wholesale Grocery House at Willmar. clean and sanitary. In the short time that they have been doing business in our midst, the Nichols-Hicks-Mc Nairy Company have built up an enormous business. The company is incorporated with a capital of $50, 000, and last year did a $300,000 busi ness. This is one of the largest in stitutions of its kind in Central Min nesota. The wholesale house is a concrete and steel structure with three floors, XS^ The club maintains the following standing committees, and the mem bers of each committee are active along their respective lines. Good roads Committee. Committee on Public Improve ments. Committee on Prospective Indus tries. Membership^ Committee. Publicity Committee. •.„• Emigration Committee. '#^V In addition to the activities of the club, as indicated by the standing committees, they have interested themselves in city beautification and have been instrumental in beautify ing the boulevards of the city and in planting large numbers of. boulevard trees. -'^f v^?»' They also^take an "active interest in public affairs and. were influential in securing the installation of a $40, 000.00 Sewer system for the city of Willmar. 74x76, and is built upon solid lines, so that if necessary, three or four ex tra stories may be conveniently built upon the ones now standing. What strikes the visitor most is the strict cleanliness, which is maintained throughout the place. Everything in the way of sanitation is made use of here, and the sweet smell of packed groceries and spices greets the nos trils everywhere. Visitors are al ways welcome, and the management takes pride in showing any citizen of Willmar through the establishment. The officers of the Company are: Mr. James A. Nichols, Pres. R. R. Hicks, Vice-Pres. C. A. Nichols, Sec'y. and B. T. McNairy, Trees. Mr. Hicks runs the new grocery house which was established last week at Sauk Center, while Mr. J. A. Nichols is a lumber merchant of Minneapolis. The manager of the local head-quar ters, Mr. McNairy, has become well liked by the people of our community, on account of his pleasing way of meeting people and is not only an ef ficient manager, but a booster for all that vitally concerns the interest of the city which he has chosen for a home ':"-v: 'WU. ,-Vtf *4 £'.*S*V WILLMAR BRICK COMPANY. Located a mile and a half from town, on the Great Northern, is the Willmar Brick yard, which manufac tures brick and tile to sell to farmers throughout this community. It was first started in 1887, southwest of town by Delbom Samuelson, but the clay supply ran out there, so it was moved to its present location. The present proprietors are L. Fridlund, N. N. Flykt, the latter being the ac* There are twenty-five men in the employ of this brick company, and ever since they, were established, the demand for their products has been greater than the supply, so they have always been pushed to their full capa-. city. Messrs, Fridlund and Flykt have shown themselves capable -men to The Commercial Club is the Only organization in the city that takes an active interest in securing conven tions and large public gatherings for Willmar. During the past two years the club has entertained several con ventions which have brought larger numbers of visitors to the city, in one instance the number of visitors being estimated at considerably over two thousand. The entertainment of visitors and furnishing them with a suitable meet ing place, is taken care of by the club, usually out of funds contributed by the business people of the town"for that purpose. Some years tike total, expenditure of the-club for all pur poses amount to twelve or fifteen hundred dollars, .*^ The Commercial Club can' always be counted on to bacT «*. e?- PRICE 10 GENTS sx&KSfe NUMBEB 27 —Views Taken For Industrial Edition.* %5%ti View of Fourth Street, Taken on a Busy Day at Willmar. Photo by Olson Bros. •51 #Sf^ 1 SPECIAL handle the manufacturing of these products in our locality, and have supplied tile for a great deal of the draining that has been done in this county and the surrounding territory. WILLMAR FARMERS CO-OPERA- TIVE ELEVATOR CO. Cooperation is the step in the rap-' id strides of progress which speaks of thrift, wealth and industry. All commercial centres take advantage of this fact and the idea is being well' seized upon by the farmers of this' community. The Willmar Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company began, business and was incorporated with, the capital of 85,000. In the short time that they have been in business, the elevator has won wide popularity and now has over 50 grain raisers as stock, holders. In the spring of 1915 they had a surplus of over $2,000 and their net earnings are oyer $5,000. The Willmar Farmers' and Co-oper ative Elevator Company has its ele- rr ^M *J*% *, vator on the G. N. tracks. This is a spacious structure well equipped to handle a large amount of business which goes thru its hands yearly. The present modern elevator was erected in 1914, and has a considerable larger capacity than the old plant which was wrecked at that time. ,. The directors of the Company are: P. H. Frye, president C. A. Halver son, vice president P. N. Olson, sec retary O. E. Olson, treasurer Swan Nelson, ^director John Sandin, man ager. The manager, Mr. John San din is an elevator man of consider able experience, and is capable of tive manager of the concern. At this brick yard, all sizes of drain handling the institution placed in his tile are sold, also brick and hollow brick for building purposes. On ac count of the excellent quality of clay which they use, all their manufac tured products are durable, and the demand for them comes from thru out tiiis section of the state and the Dakotas. In burning their brick and tile, they use both the down draft kiln and the Scove method of burning. Next spring they will install an oil burning system, which will be far more economical than wood. charge. He has done much to make the new undertaking a success, and deserves credit for being an efficient business man. Their last financial report is as fol lows: Net earnings July 16, 1910 to -April 80, 1915 $5,513.10 Dividends refunded July 15, 1910 to April 80, 1915 2,799.2$ Surplus at April 30, 1916 2,735.84 Capital at April 30, 1915 4,900.00 N State Farm In Movies, .-iv Charles G. Branham, general mana ger of the Northwestern Weekly,-and Fred C. Place, also & member of the firm and one of its camera men, were in Willmar on Thursday filming the, buildings of the State Hospital for In ebriates. These pictures will he shown in the Northwest Weekly, which Is being used extensively in the theaters of this and adjoining states. The Majestic theater here shows the Weekly every Wednesday night and the Willmar scenes will be 4 exhibited here at an early date. Mr. Branham, formerly was city editor of -W" the Republican Gazette. Mr. Place) was staff photographer of the Minne apolis Journal before he took up the movie game. The Northwest Weekly -ik is affiliated with seven of the leading S daily.news papers of the stats and Is released in this district as the Minne apolis Tribune Northwest Weekly. —Mr. and Mrs. John Esbjornsoh. 4 Hugo Esbjornson, Mr. and Mrs. Hen ry G. Meyer and 3(35