Yeakle, M. M. The City of Saint Louis of To-day: Its Progress and Prospects. Truth in Homely Words and Facts in Faithful Figures . St. Louis: J. Osmun Yeakle and Co, 1889. [format: book], [genre: history; narrative; report]. Permission: St. Louis Mercantile Library
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THE large trade enjoyed by this city with the extensive and populous territory of which it is the centre, continues to increase and its area to expand yearly in a volume corresponding with its gigantic surroundings. The active growth of commerce — represented by the aggregate money value, as well as by the volume — and the large demand for manufactured productions, is indicative of a healthy condition of trade, and of uninterrupted prosperity.

The popularity of St. Louis as a trade centre is not at all likely to diminish, but continue to increase. This city has gained the good will of the traders and people of the Great Valley and countries beyond it, by fair dealing, liberality and enterprise — all which have entitled it to appreciation and patronage. As a centre for the distribution of commodities, merchandise and manufactured products, its geographical position was a primary factor only, its active citizens developed and confirmed the advantages flowing therefrom. But, of all the business men, of every large

and prosperous city, the jobbing and wholesale merchants are the most influential — as they are the most conspicuous in trade — through their constant and intimate intercourse and contact with the dealers who come from every section, and to whom is imparted the spirit, and often the characteristics, of the men of the commercial metropolis.

The merchants and manufacturers of St. Louis have cultivated with diligence and energy the great and fertile field lying around, and opened invitingly to them, that they might put their hand to the plow. But, a large measure of credit for the popularity of this city for fair and honorable dealing, is due to that large class of intelligent and deserving men, the traveling salesmen — "drummers" — and for spreading the reputation of St. Louis' business men. These men are the most powerful factors in creating and maintaining established trade and commerce. Upon them, in a large measure, depends the extension of the fame of this city as a most desirable market — deserving of the general favor. ^[39]

Adam Smith, the very able Scotch political economist, in his talented work entitled "The Wealth of Nations," states it as a clear and practical necessity, that "the valuable trade of any spot is that commerce which is carried on between the inhabitants of the town and those of the

country." St. Louis trades directly, and through its commercial travelers, in a greater or lesser degree, with a very large proportion of the States and Territories, the whole number equals thirty. The great South, Southwest and Northwest are increasing annually in a greater ratio than other parts, as is well known, and it would not be extravagant to accord to them two-thirds of the whole population of the entire Union at the close of the century.

The territory with which St. Louis enjoys commercial intercourse embraces the following States, namely: Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana; nearly all of Missouri, Arkansas and Texas; a large part of the Territories of Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Utah and Indian (Territory). Also, of the States of Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. Besides, some firms send their travelers into, and sell to the States of Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Wisconsin.

New railroads, and extensions of others already built, are annually constructed, connecting with this city, both directly and indirectly, and they constantly swell the volume of trade which pours into the lap of St. Louis.

Two new railway connections with St. Louis have recently been completed, and opened, namely: That of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railway — in combination with its great lines and their branches in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and beyond. The other road has made direct connection with this city, starting from Paducah, Kentucky, and from thence south and east with the extensive system of the Chesapeake and Ohio, Louisville and Nashville, and other leading lines to the Gulf and Atlantic seaboard. These connections were completed and consummated in December, 1888.

MANUFACTURES IN IRON AND STEEL. — Car wheels, chains, counting-room safes, scales and balances, steam-boilers, steam engines, shovels, mill saws, files, vises, iron wares, granite iron wares, steel wire rope, fence wire, baling ties, iron and steel wires, wire goods, general hardware, iron working in general, steel jail works, water pipe, cutlery, etc.

METAL AND BRASS GOODS, lead pipe, gas pipe, sheet and bar lead, lightning rods, architectural and ornamental iron and zinc works, etc.

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, continuous hay presses, wagons and carriages, car building, chairs, household furniture, office furniture, refrigerators and ice chests, stoves and ranges, saw mills, steam and wood pumps, lamps and lanterns, wood mouldings, picture frames, mantels, etc.

PLATE GLASS of all descriptions, window glass, ornamental glass, druggists' glass wares, etc.

CHEMICALS, fire clay products, photographers' dry plate, terra cotta, sash, doors and blinds, packing boxes, cooperage, wooden and willow ware, show cases, counting room desks, etc.

WHITE LEADS, paints and colors, castor and cottonseed oils, soaps, candles, fertilizers, glucose, glue, lubricating oils, etc.

BAGGING, bags, rope and cordage.

ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANTS, electric engines and lights, optical instruments, artificial limbs.

POWDER, fire works.

ENGRAVING on steel, copper and lithographing.,
PIANOS, organs, billiard tables, solid silver and plated wares, jewelry, gold pens.

SHOES AND BOOTS, hats, clothing, fur and knit goods.

SADDLERY AND HARNESS, machine belting.

BLANK BOOKS, roofing and sheathing paper.

PRINTING, in all departments, book binding.

BRICK MAKING, granite and marble working.

TOBACCO MANUFACTURES.

BEER BREWING.

WINES from native grapes, sparkling champagnes, still wines, whiskies, cider, vinegar.

COMPLETE OUTFITS FOR DAIRIES.

Also, manufacturers in other, and different products, in part as follows:
Furnishings for merchant and grist mills; middling purifiers; grain elevator machinery; mill machinery mining and coal-pit machinery; miners' supplies; wood and iron working machinery; rock drills; well boring drills and apparatus; house elevators, and elevating machinery; power and hand corn shelters; copper stills, and distillers' outfits; ice machines, and implements; soda water supplies; railway supplies, and refrigerating machines.

It is conceded, that the fire-clay deposits at this city are of finer quality than those of foreign countries. The following analysis of Missouri, German and English clays, is of value for comparison:

From this analysis it will be seen, that in that element which is the most essential for a useful, tractable

fire-clay, viz: silica, the Missouri clay is better provided than the English, and very much better than the German.

The proof of the great value of the fire-clays of this vicinity is the very large and growing demand for them for shipment to other places to be manufactured, and the extensive demand for the products of the several extensive works of this city.

The earliest discovery of fire-clay, at Cheltenham, (4 miles from the Court House), was made in 1838; not until years thereafter was it utilized, or its superior quality understood; its products have been found preferable in Canada to the famous Stonebridge products (England). St. Louis also supplies Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and many other sections, and including entire districts.

For a long period the New Jersey products held the market — until the St. Louis wares came to be appreciated at their full value — but our productions are now first in amount and value, and for quality as well, in the United States. The following are a part of the articles manufactured:

Sewer and drain pipe — from 4 to 24 inches, and upward in diameter — crucibles, chimneys, fire-brick, paving-brick, (stands to the heaviest hauling), the Livessy Somerville Refrigerator Furnaces, silica fire-clay cement — extensively used where great heat is to be resisted — furnace linings, glasspots, gas retorts, and pots for corroding white lead.

Terra Cotta Lumber is also made — a mixture of fire-clay and sawdust — and its properties are very remarkable: indestructible by fire, water, frost, gases, acids or age, a poor conductor of heat, dampness, sound or electricity, it neither expands nor shrinks under extraordinary or sudden changes of temperature, and will resist the hottest flame; its weight is half that of brick, two-thirds of granite or marble, and one-seventh iron, besides it is not costly.

The sales of the fire-clay products of St. Louis are most extensively spread; they find a market in Old Mexico, California, New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and nearly every large city and manufacturing spot in the United States. Linings for blast furnaces are sold to Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Michigan; and their Bessemer Tuyeres to Troy and Pittsburgh. The glass works and iron furnaces in all parts of our country use almost exclusively the heat resisting fire-clay products of the St. Louis manufacturers.

The manufacture of fire-clay wares at St. Louis was begun in 1856, in a moderate way, and gradually grew to the present great proportions. The capital employed in this valuable industry is not less than two and a half million dollars, and the annual products are equal to six million dollars in 1888.

Neither Pittsburgh, Wheeling, or New Albany, have advantages equal to those of St. Louis and its suburbs, for the manufacture or sale of glass goods; not only on account of the cheapness of its fuel, and centrality of its position for distribution, but in the great abundance and rare quality of the chief constituent of glass — the sands. In this department of industrial production, St. Louis might well be proud of its factories, since they vie with all others in America or Europe in the excellence of their wares, especially in plate glass, which in strength, purity of tint, and general excellence, is not only equal, but even superior to the best of French production. The superior quality of the St. Louis plate glass is appreciated throughout all the territory of the Great Valley and at the East. It is utilized in the finest residences and business buildings.

Window glass, druggists' and bottlers' goods, rough and ribbed plate glass, rolled cathedral and undoyant glass, crown discs, etc., are also products of the nine plants of this city.

One of the plate glass companies began in 1872, with a capital stock of $250,000; two years later it was doubled; and in 1880 it was increased to one million dollars. Three years later the capital was raised to $1,500,000. The plant comprises 5 melting furnaces, 94 annealing kilns, 22 circular grinders, 50 smoothers, 36 polishers, and 20

steam engines, together with all else to make up an establishment complete as any in Europe.

The capital invested in the glass industry aggregates six million dollars.

The best and most desirable descriptions of sand for the manufacture of plate glass and glass ware, are found in unlimited quantities near St. Louis.

Superior glass sand is sold and sent from St. Louis to factories at Pittsburgh, Steubenville and Wheeling in large quantities. One firm alone ships annually upward of a thousand tons.

There are at St. Louis five or six chemical plants which are extensive and varied in their productions — one is confined to sal soda; another to ammonia for druggists' and chemists' use, and refrigerating purposes; another to pharmaceutical specialties exclusively for physicians; another for druggists' and distillers' fruit essences, and other specialties required by the trades. And yet another manufactures a full line of pure chemicals for medicinal and photographic purposes, embracing over three hundred articles. This extensive plant makes a number of technical products, amongst the most important of which are aqua-ammonia and anhydrous-ammonia, of which large quantities are shipped to all parts of the country, for the cooling of breweries, the manufacture of artificial ice, etc.

Some idea may be formed of the great establishment last mentioned (which covers two entire city blocks and employs two hundred workmen), when it is stated, that its products are made in tons' weight, many of them high priced, but some of which cost several dollars per ounce. This company sells its goods in nearly every part of the United States, and exports them to foreign countries. The

superior quality of these goods gives them quick sale over a wide field of distribution.

St. Louis possesses one of the greatest manufacturing plants of this description of wares in any country. A beginning was made in a small way in 1859, until the buildings now cover an area of two city blocks of ground.

The body of granite iron-ware is made of sheet iron of superior quality, of a description which formerly was made only in England. But, by experience, it was found that the quality lacked uniformity of grade, and in order to obtain the required standard, the St. Louis manufacturers undertook to make it themselves, contrary to the opinion of sheet-iron manufacturers, who said such iron could not be made in this country. Notwithstanding, they purchased five acres of land within the city limits, built a rolling mill, and completed it in 1870. And, by skill and energy, they were early rewarded by making the desired quality of sheet-iron.

This mill is capable of producing twenty tons of sheet-iron daily. The process of the manufacture of granite iron-ware is briefly described as follows: The coating of sheet-iron is a highly vetrified glass, insoluble and impervious to vegetable acids, and approaches in this respect the properties of earthern, or porcelain wares. Granite ironware is preferable to eathern in all the qualities of strength, durability, non-breakableness, lightness, and cheapness; besides, its appearance is not injured by heat.

After various experiments, this enterprising firm produced their first perfect iron ware in 1874. Since then, their wares have been received with acceptance wherever they have been introduced in this country, or in foreign markets. The annual sales are very great, and the use of

granite iron-ware is destined to become indispensable to many households.

St. Louis holds the first place — as the largest manufacturer of tobacco in the world! The amount on which tax was paid in the First Missouri District (of which St. Louis produced 96 per cent) in 1887, was 40,284,675 lbs., representing a value of $15,000,000.00, against 32,448,936 lbs, in 1886, valued at $11,500,000.00.

The total output of the United States for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, was 199,937,743 lbs., of which the First Missouri District produced 34,057,743 lbs., equal to 17 per cent. The increase over the year ending June 30, 1886, was 14,511,550 lbs., of which St. Louis produced about 30 per cent.

FIRST INTERNAL REVENUE COLLECTION DISTRICT, Of which 96 per cent belongs to St. Louis.

CALENDAR YEAR.	Tobacco Manufactured. Lbs.	Amount Tax Paid.
1878	5,990,801	$1,440,716 84
1879	8,670,466	1,477,899 00
1880	12,889,784	2,063,549 45
1881	17,234,869	2,751,307 00
1882	17,170,190	2,728,525 82
1883	23,835,720	2,219,433 19
1884	22,631,104	1,818,562 27
1885	28,517,401	2,235,028 06
1886	32,448,936	2,484,204 41
1887	40,284,675	3,222,774 00
1888	40,060,020	3,200,774 26

FROM THE REVENUE OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
INTERNAL REVENUE RECEIPTS ON MANUFACTURED TOBACCO, FOR JANUARY, 1888 AND 1889.

DISTRICTS.	1888.	1889.
First Missouri, (St. Louis)	$ 240,561 05	$ 274,921 51
Fifth Kentucky	79,190 73	89,543 78
First Michigan	63,070 00	86,415 48
Fifth New Jersey	131,807 98	176,075 83
First Ohio	70,989 86	83,055 84
Second Virginia	130,702 00	123,640 42
Sixth Virginia	101,407 64	120,073 77
State of North Carolina	128,274 43	147,011 73

From which it will be seen that St. Louis manufactures more tobacco as the three States of Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan combined.

The manufactures of tobacco for 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887 and 1888, are classified as follows:

CIGARS.

CALENDAR YEAR.	Manufactured.	Amount of tax Paid.
1884	41,327,500	$121,094 40
1885	41,466,220	121,510 57
1886	43,586,363	130,759 09
1887	46,732,973	140,198 93
1888	47,294,380	141,883 16

There are twenty-two breweries, whose great output is indicated by the revenue receipts, which amounted, in 1887, to $1,293,945.51 (paid as revenue tax); and, the number of gallons produced exceeded forty-three million! ^[42] The capital employed in the brewing industry is several million dollars. The works give employment — inside and outside the establishments — to many thousands of operatives. Of all industries, the manufacture of beer affects more diversified interests than any other. Barley, hops, cooperage, bottles, coal, ice and water supply, men, horses, insurance, ships and railroads, are all necessary adjuncts. In 1887, 1,383,361 barrels were required for the output, and the export trade of bottled beer was beyond twenty-five million bottles.

The export trade is chiefly enjoyed by the Anheuser Busch Company, which uses a process for the preservation of beer in all latitudes. The sales of this firm equaled a half million barrels in 1887. Its annual product exceeds all of the great single breweries of Europe or the United

States. This establishment consumes in barley annually over one million bushels, and three-fourths of a million pounds of hops. It uses a half million bushels of coal, and employs fifteen thousand cars annually in receiving and forwarding products and supplies. The freightage paid by this firm is a very large sum.

The "register" indicates the consumption of twenty-five million gallons of water used yearly in beer brewing, cooling and washing by this single company. They use twenty-five thousand tons of ice, notwithstanding the establishment is cooled by refrigerating machinery. The area of ground covered by the works of this company, comprises thirty acres, or one and a quarter million superficial feet of space. The wages paid exceed a half a million dollars annually.

Other establishments are not so large, but great, nevertheless. Some adequate idea may be formed of the money value of the brewing industry from a reference to one brewery only. A noted man in London — over one hundred years ago — looking upon a single brewing establishment, was asked, "why he took so much interest in it — not being an owner?" He replied, "because, sir, I see in and around me the potentiality of great riches!" Of a truth, then, the golden environment of St. Louis' twenty-two breweries possesses a value almost incalculable.

It is an interesting fact, that an English "syndicate" has purchased, at large figures, a number of brewing plants in different cities of the United States. Recently (February, 1889), its agents have made proposals to buy several of the great breweries of St. Louis, and, it is publicly stated, that all refused to sell, including the largest one of them all, which declined an offer of seven millions of dollars!

AMOUNT OF BEER MANUFACTURED IN ST. LOUIS, ANNUALLY, FOR TWELVE YEARS.

YEAR.	Barrels.	Gallons.
1877	471,232	14,608,192
1878	521,684	16,172,204
1879	613,667	19,023,677
1880	828,072	25,670,232
1881	959,236	29,739,313
1882	1,069,715	33,661,165
1883	1,100,000	34,100,000
1884	1,122,265	34,790,215
1885	1,086,032	33,666,992
1886	1,280,091	39,682,821
1887	1,383,361	43,575,872
1888	1,482,883	46,710,815

The exports direct to foreign countries during the year 1887, was equal to 1,924,108 quart bottles, of a value of 1887 $300,000.00.

This company — celebrated for its pure wines of superior quality — was established in 1859, by Isaac Cook. It is still continued in vigor and prosperity through the able management of its president, a son of the founder. This wine plant has become a leading one of the United States. It associates St. Louis with the celebrity of the products of the American Wine Company. Its "Imperial Sparkling Champagne" is celebrated both in Europe and America. And, scarcely less noted is its "Boquette" brand. The wine vaults of this company are 40 feet in

depth, and cover an area of 100 by 200 feet. They have a storage capacity of 150,000 gallons.

Another, the Stone Hill Wine Company, makes wines of the purest and most generous quality, from grapes of the vineyards of Hermann, Missouri. Still another, the "Sect Wine Company," makes all its wines from selected grapes. And, its champagne, "Koehler's Sect," and "still" wines, are widely known. The storage capacity of this company is 80,000 square feet, at their vaults, Nos. 2814 to 2824 South Seventh street. In addition to these there are several other wine companies.

There are six establishments engaged in the making of cider and vinegar; whose trade covers many States and Territories. Their cider especially has a very extensive sale.

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