California Woolen Mill 1874

Moniteau County, Missouri

California Woolen Mill

1874 - 1974

Woolen Mill in background of picture as it appeared in a California High School Cavalier year book.

From the March 17, 1866 The Central Missourian:

Cotton and Woolen Factory

We know of no place in Central Missouri where a good Cotton and Woolen Factory would pay better than in California. We have everything needed for such an enterprise but water, and we doubt not our property holders would contribute sufficient means to secure plenty of water for any person who would establish such factorys [spelled this way in article] here. We have Wood and Coal in inexhaustible quantities, and our location is the handsomest and healthiest in the State. Men of capital and enterprise would be heartily welcomed in our midst.

From the April 27, 1871 Moniteau Journal:

[Editor note: words are spelled as they were printed in the original article]

Wake Up! Men of California, to your own interests. you own town lots and real estate - you, who pay taxes on this property and complain of scarcity of money to pay them with. Wake up, Business men! -- you, who would like to see customers plenty, and money in you hands plentier.

Remember! It is not eating a great deal that makes one fat and strong, but digesting well what one eats; nor is it what one earns that makes one rich, but what one saves. Keep the money at home, where it will enter into circulation and keep the business of the community alive, just as nourishment, well digested, will keep the circulation of the human body in healthy working order.

ONE WAY TO DO THIS

Thousands of pounds of wool are annually shipped from her to other places - where there are no more capital, but more enterprize than we have here - where it is turned into Blankets, Jeans, Broadcloths, etc.; and sold to us at an advance upon the cost of the raw material and labor. Our wool thus furnishes to enterprising men of other parts profitable employment for their laboring men, a good, paying investment for their capital, and pays the freight to their factories, and as a manufactured article comes back to us charged with the additional expense of return freight, cost of handling and a profit to the manufacturers and their agents.

All this can be saved. Capital can find in the establishment of a woolen mill here, a sure, safe, and paying investment. Our laboring men can find steady and paying employment, and themselves necessarily becoming consumers, will add to the wealth and business of our city. Our wool producing farmers, having a ready market right at home, will raise all the more wool, and be sure of a good price for the same.

We have an excellent opportunity. The house of the old paper mill, can be fitted up at small cost, to receive the machinery, and our enterprizing townsman, H. C. Finke, will dispose of the grounds, pond, and building at a reasonable rate to any company willing to engage in the enterprize. Who will go into this, and not only create a paying business for himself, but inaugurate an era of progress in our city? Situate as we are, in the very centre of the State, on the great highway from the rising to the setting sun, one hundred and fifty miles from St. Louis, "the future great city of the world," as our irrepressible fried Reavis, has it, and about the same distance from Kansas City, the second great city of Missouri, and railroad centre of the far west; -- situated thus, with an almost unlimited scope of rich country south of us, who can say that there is not room for progress and enterprise in our young city. Will we improve this great chance, by encouraging enterprise? -- or will we become the second edition of Irvings "Sleepy Hollow," the "recreated Rip Van Winkle" live in a come-day go-day style; and frown down any new undertaking, merely because it demands some energy and action on our part. Let the answer be NO. Let our men of means and energy see to it, and we will make a city of California worthy of its name.

We have a fine $50,000 Courthouse (with a clock -- painted on it). We will have a big school-house and lots of scholars. We can have Factories and Workshops and our streets alive with business, if we try! -- if we put the shoulder to the wheel and recollect the true old adage: "The gods help those that help themselves!" More and Yours, COGWHEEL

From the March 14, 1872 California Democrat:

MANUFACTORIES

There are three first class flouring mills in operation here, and their brands of flour meet with ready sale in St. Louis. A paper-mill is now in operation on the Moreau creek, three miles south of the city. It is at present making wrapping-paper, but will in a short time commence the manufacture of newspaper. There are several establishments engaged in the manufacture of wagons, but none on a large scale. A St. Louis firm has made arrangements to start a woolen-mill here next season.

From the July 9, 1874 California Democrat:

We understand workmen are engaged in making the necessary changes and improvements in the building formerly used as a paper mill, near Crane & Pearson's flouring mill, to be used for the woolen mill which is soon to be established here.

From the August 20, 1874 California Democrat:

The repairs on the old Paper Mill buildings are about completed, ready for the machinery for the Woolen Factory to be established here this Fall. The proprietor, with his family, will remove to this place about the last of October. The machinery will reach here about the same time and will be put up at once, and will be in full operation in time for the spring business.

From the September 24, 1874 California Democrat:

Fragments -- Weather rather cool. . . . Several vacant houses in town to rent. . . . Over one thousand dollars has been spent in repairing the building known as the "old paper mill." It is now ready for the machinery for the woolen factory which is expected to arrive next month. . . .

From the November 26, 1874 California Democrat:

The larger part of the machinery for the new woolen factory has arrived and workmen are already engaged in placing it in position. It is not expected to be in operation, however, before the 1st of March or April.

From the December 12, 1874 California Democrat:

Tuesday we visited the Woolen Mill, or what is to be the Woolen Mill, at this place. Mr. Hugleman, the proprietor, is a gentleman of large experience in the manufacture of yarn and cloth. For several years Mr. Hugleman has operated in Cape Girardeau county, this State.

He purchased, some months since, the building erected for a paper mill, which was used some time as such, but owing to the want of a good supply of water the paper mill was removed to another point. Mr. Hugleman has greatly improved the building, lining the inside with brick, and making other changes. He has received a part of his machinery and is expecting another carload this week. He will purchase a new boiler and engine, what, we believe, is called the "Automatic Cut-Off." He has made larger the pond and will plant trees around it. One the side hill, just above the pond he is going to plant a vineyard. In time he will have handsome grounds, and we predict a handsome business. He thinks it will be springtime before he gets into operation.

Such enterprises as this should receive the best encouragement. The more manufactories we can have the better it will be for town and county.

We hope to see the paper mill in operation in less than four months.

From the January 7, 1875 California Democrat:

WOOLEN MILL

The machinery for the Woolen Mill arrived some weeks since, and the proprietor, Mr. Hugleman, is busy at work getting it into position. It will be ready for operation in time for the Spring trade, and will prove of valuable benefit to our community. The proprietor is a practical operator, having been for years engaged in the business, and has ample capital to make the enterprise a success.

From the April 8, 1875 California Democrat:

Mr. Hugleman started his new engine at the woolen mill the 1st of April, and though he thought he had been April fooled in the engine, he now informs us that it runs like a charm. There will soon be busy times at this mill.

From the April 15, 1875 California Democrat:

We call attention to the new advertisement of the Woolen Factory. Mr. Hugleman sometime since purchased the old paper mill buildings, and soon after commenced receiving machinery for a woolen factory. During the past winter months he and his son have been engaged in placing the machinery. On the 1st of this month they had their engine in place and raised steam. This engine is the second one made of a new kind -- called, we believe, an Automatic Engine. Mr. Hugleman is well pleased with it, and it certainly looks well. He advertises that by the 1st of May he will be ready for customers. He has gone to a great deal of expense and will have, when fully completed, one of the best factories in the West, which should receive a fair share of patronage.

From the May 27, 1875 California Democrat:

Mr. Hugleman now has his Woolen Mill in full running operation. He makes an excellent article of Jeans, and will exchange the same for wool, allowing the highest market price. Farmers will do well to call at the Mills and examine the goods manufactured, and learn his prices.

Also from the May 27, 1875 California Democrat:

Lewis Weise, son of Mrs. Weise of this place, while at work in the Woolen Mill last Monday narrowly escaped a serious accident. His hand was drawn into the Condensor or finishing machine, but owing to the presence of mind of Miss Hugleman a belt was thrown off and alarm given. Some four or five belts had to be cut before danger was passed. When the hand and arm were withdrawn it was thought both would be crushed, but fortunately they were only slightly scratched, but badly bruised. It will only prevent him from working a few days. To repair the damage done to belts and machinery it will cost about $20. It took some three hours to start up after the accident. Had it not been for this timely aid, the little fellow to-day would have been a mangled mass.

From the June 10, 1875 California Democrat:

The California Woolen Mills are in complete running order, and doing excellent work. All honor to Mr. Hugleman who begun and has successfully established this enterprise in our midst. The industrial clatter of his machinery sounds like a prophets voice predicting the coming of a hundred other factories whose machinery shall work up our vast resources and give work and bread to thousands of hones toilers. Let them come and be enriched.

From the February 24, 1966 Moniteau County Herald:

Kibbe Buys Stock in Woolen Mill

Frank Peck, president of Moniteau Mills, Inc., has announced the purchase by John C. Kibbe, vice president, of 8,325 shares A-common stock from Alma Peck. This block represents on-third of the boting stock of the local woolen mill company.

Limited amounts of preferred and B-common non-voting stock are outstanding.

In making the announcement, Mr. Peck said that he is gratified and proud to have John Kibbe, whose ability and integrity are outstanding, as his "partner" and probable successor and feels sure the community and the mill employees will concur.

Mr. Kibbe said, " I have every confidence in the future of the company and look forward to my new association."

A native of California and a local attorney, Mr. Kibbe accepted the position of assistant to the president of Moniteau Mills, April 1, 1953. He has been vice president since May of 1964 and , also, is assistant treasurer.

From the April 4, 1974 California Democrat:

Fire Shattered All Hope

Moniteau Mills votes to cease on 100th birthday

One of California's oldest, and probably most prominent, businesses officially went into dissolution at 10:15 a.m. Monday. The board of directors and shareholders of Moniteau Mills, Inc., voted to dissolve the corporation and liquidate its assets. The decision came in the office of attorney John C. Kibbe, who was president and treasurer of the corporation.

The action was a result of a disastrous fire on November of last year which destroyed a major portion of the woolen mill. At the time of the fire Kibbe said he was unable to estimate the loss and the buildings and contents were not insured. Even had there been insurance it would have been impossible to replace the machinery lost at today's prices, he said.

In his report to stockholders Kibbe said at the time of the fire it still might not have been possible to obtain a $300,000 loan being sought, but applications were pending from two different sources.

Kibbe had believed strongly enough that the mill could be reopened that he had invested more than $10,000 in personal funds on the property, getting it ready for reopening.

Kibbe reported that the mill had around $111,000 indebtedness. He said a bank loan amounted to about $61,000 but all other local creditors, other than himself, were paid in full. He said the R-1 School District had agreed to pay $48,750 for the 14 acres of land owned by the mill. This, along with proceeds of selling other assets of the mill, will satisfy indebtedness to the bank.

The mill, which had been closed for two years, had been in the process of reopening at the time of the fire. Almost a year ago Kibbe announced that plans were underway to open the plant. At that time Kibbe, who had been associated with the business since 1950, said that almost all of the woolen industry of the country had been shut down because of a variety of reasons, including greatly reduced demand and imports. However, the local mill continued to get requests from segments of the industry wishing to buy both woolen yarn and piece goods. Everything looks "real encouraging" he said at the time, despite problems.

At that time the board of directors authorized the corporation to borrow $200,000 additional capital necessary for reopening. A page ad was run in the Democrat, sponsored cooperatively by the mill and the Textile Workers of America, Local 397, with an appeal for former mill workers to help fill full or part-time during the reopening and training process. The results were excellent, according to Kibbe, and indicated the mill would be able to obtain the 90 or so clerical and production workers it would need.

The March 22 issue of the Democrat carried the following summary in regard to the mill and its past history:

"Moniteau Mills, which has had its ups and downs in recent years, continued in operation long after other larger mills went out of business.

"The mill started in 1874 by Frank Hugelman and was operated primarily on a barter system. Farmers in those days brought in their fleece wool and chopped wood to trade for clothing fabrics for their personal use. The wood, of course, was to fire the boiler. The surplus cloth was sold on the open market.

"The mill had several ownerships through the year 1931 and was enlarged to its present size. At that time the old Oberman Mill was purchased by George Peck and his son, Frank A., and incorporated. The Peck family was the majority stockholder until December 1971 when Kibbe purchased the most portion of the outstanding stock.

"The mill was entirely on defense work production during three major world wars. It is one of the three oldest businesses in California and has made substantial contributions to the local economy."

Stockholders attending the meeting were, in addition to Mr. and Mrs. Kibbe, Mrs. Betty Hall, Herbert and Andrew Strickfaden, Jack P. Crawford, Walter Kuhlman, George Oesterly and Walter Seyfert.

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