Presto
Issue: 1924 1976 - Page 18
16
P R E S T O
HENRY JOHNSON
FACTORY BURNS
Fire Attacked Big Plant at Bellevue, Iowa,
Leaving Only the Old Part Standing,
Causing $200,000 Loss, Fully
Insured.
A disastrous fire which broke out in the varnish
room of the factory of the Henry G. Johnson Piano
Mfg. Co., at Bellevue, Iowa, on Thursday evening of
HENRY G. JOHNSON
,
last week, came very near to taking the entire plant
of that ambitious industry. As it is, the loss is esti-
mated at about $200,000. '
How the tire started was not ascertained. It
broke out almost immediately after the plant had
been shut down for the night to remain closed over
Friday, which was Memorial Day. The blaze was
discovered at 9:30 and before the local fire fighters
could get to work it was plain that the greater part
of the newer section of the great factory was
doomed.
About aH that remains standing is the old wing
E. Leins Piano Co.
which was the original plant of the Bellevue Piano
Co., to which Mr. Johnson succeeded in 1919. The
lire burned fiercely until nearly six o'clock on Friday
morning and the contents, which included a vast
amount of materials and a great number of nearly
completed instruments, was destroyed.
The lire came at a peculiarly unfortunate time for
Mr. Johnson. He had planned to make a d : splay in
connection with this week's convention and contem-
plated leaving for New York on Saturday. In fact,
sample instruments had been forwarded and are on
exhibition at the McAlpin Hotel at this time.
Just half an hour before the fire was discovered
men in the varnish room had quit work. They had
been working overtime to get out a large order of
pianos. Mr. Johnson and the night watchmen were
the only ones in the building when the fire was dis-
covered.
The finishing and action departments were entirely
destroyed. Two carloads of pianos, which were on a
side track by the building ready for shipment, were
saved.
Directly after the blaze had been subdued, Mr.
Johnson said that the loss was fully covered by in-
surance and that he would plan to rebuild at once.
The factory, which was so nearly destroyed, was 80
by 700 feet in dimensions and had a capacity of about
10,000 pianos a year. The Henry G. Johnson Piano
Mfg. Co. is capitalized at $1,000,000 and the growth
of the industry at Bellevue has been regarded as one
of the most remarkable in the history of the piano.
The winning styles of the Brinkerhoff Piano Co.,
Chicago, are shown in an attractive booklet now
effectively used by dealers. The leading pianos and
players are illustrated with excellent halftones.
The Colonial Style 51 is described as conforming
to the lines of Puritan architecture and will strongly
appeal to those who delight in simplicity and beauty
of design. Of the Empire Style 52, this is said: "In
our Empire style we have combined massiveness and
simplicity, creating an effect so ornate that its beauti-
ful proportions cannot but please the most fastidious."
The Virginian Style 42 is described as follows:
"The most magnificent home would be graced with
this splendid instrument, while there is no cottage
so modest that its presence would seem obtrusive,"
and the Bungalow Player, Style 68, the Colonial
Player, Style 62, the Empire Player, Style 66, and the
Brinkerhoff Grand also come in for their respective
shares of attention. This claim is made: "The
Brinkerhoff Grand piano has a very beautiful tone
quality, which has cost years of study and hard work
to develop. It represents the highest standard in
piano building."
PLANS FOR TUNERS' CONVENTION.
HOW MEXICO BUYS.
PIANOS AT FURNITURE SHOW.
The Krausgill Piano Co. and Baldwin Piano Co.
were among the exhibitors at the first annual ex-
hibition of the Louisville Home Furnishers, Louis-
ville, Ky. Both concerns displayed pianos and talk-
ing machines and players, in connection with elabo-
rate displays of furniture and general taricles neces-
sary in furnishing the modern home.
The Morris Piano Parlors, Omaha, Neb., opened
recently by Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Morris, has been
doing a lively business. The owners now find it
necessary to lease additional space.
PLAYER
PIANO
REPAIRING
Taught by men
In 8 WCMKB
Correspondence from Reliable
Dealers Invited
Complete Course $75.00
Factory and Offices, 304 W. 42nd St.
NEW YORK
WRITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
SALESMANSHIP included.
Also NIGHT COURSES
Piano Merchants Supplied With Reliable Tuners
and Repairmen
St. Louis Piano and Player Repair School
1514 Franklin Ave.
Jesse French & Sons Style BB
BRINKERHOFF BOOKLET
DESCRIBES THE LINE
New Catalog of Chicago Industry Also Pictures the
Various Styles.
Pianos and players to the combined number of
Committees in charge of arrangements for the con-
vention of the National Association of Piano Tuners, 2,551 valued at $747,164 were exported from the
to be held in Milwaukee August 11, 12 and 13, are United States to Mexico during the year 1823, ac-
cording to news given out by the Mexican Consulate
working out many plans for the entertainment of
General, 7, Dey street, New York, and published by
delegates, according to Charles Merkel, vice-president
the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
of the national organization and chairman of the
entertainment committee for the convention. The
program of convention events will be published next
week. Mr. Merkel states that the convention com-
mittees will go forward rapidly with plans for the
local program. The Hotel Wisconsin has been de-
cided upon as headquarters for the convention and
is making plans for the entertainment of visitors.
Approximately 500 delegates are expected to be in
attendance at the convention.
PIANO TUNING
Makers of Pianos and
Player Pianos That Are
Established L e a d e r s .
June 7, 1924.
For a
Bigger and Better
Business
. There is nothing to compare
with the complete line of
M. SCHULZ CO.
The Players are RIGHT In
everything t h a t means
money to the dealers and
satisfaction to the public
You will never do anything better
than when you get in touch with
M. SCHULZ CO.
711 Milwaukee Avenue
CHICAGO
r.RN BRANCH: 730 Candler Bldg., ATLANTA, GA
ST. LOUIS, MO.
The True Test
KREITER
Compare the new Jesse French & Sons Piano
Pianos and Players
with any other strictly high grade piano in tone,
touch and general construction, and you will be
convinced at once that t h e y offer the most
exceptional v a l u e s to be found anywhere.
Have No Competition Where
Beauty of Cases and Tone
Sustain Profit Making Prices.
Write today for catalog and prices
Everything the Highest but
the Price.
"They are the one best buy on the market"
Inspect them Carefully and See.
JESSE FRENCH & SONS PIANO CO.
NEW CASTLF,
INDIANA
Kreiter Mfg. Co., Inc.
320-322 W. Water St., Milwaukee, WU.
Factory: Marinette,
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
P R E S T O
HENRY JOHNSON
FACTORY BURNS
Fire Attacked Big Plant at Bellevue, Iowa,
Leaving Only the Old Part Standing,
Causing $200,000 Loss, Fully
Insured.
A disastrous fire which broke out in the varnish
room of the factory of the Henry G. Johnson Piano
Mfg. Co., at Bellevue, Iowa, on Thursday evening of
HENRY G. JOHNSON
,
last week, came very near to taking the entire plant
of that ambitious industry. As it is, the loss is esti-
mated at about $200,000. '
How the tire started was not ascertained. It
broke out almost immediately after the plant had
been shut down for the night to remain closed over
Friday, which was Memorial Day. The blaze was
discovered at 9:30 and before the local fire fighters
could get to work it was plain that the greater part
of the newer section of the great factory was
doomed.
About aH that remains standing is the old wing
E. Leins Piano Co.
which was the original plant of the Bellevue Piano
Co., to which Mr. Johnson succeeded in 1919. The
lire burned fiercely until nearly six o'clock on Friday
morning and the contents, which included a vast
amount of materials and a great number of nearly
completed instruments, was destroyed.
The lire came at a peculiarly unfortunate time for
Mr. Johnson. He had planned to make a d : splay in
connection with this week's convention and contem-
plated leaving for New York on Saturday. In fact,
sample instruments had been forwarded and are on
exhibition at the McAlpin Hotel at this time.
Just half an hour before the fire was discovered
men in the varnish room had quit work. They had
been working overtime to get out a large order of
pianos. Mr. Johnson and the night watchmen were
the only ones in the building when the fire was dis-
covered.
The finishing and action departments were entirely
destroyed. Two carloads of pianos, which were on a
side track by the building ready for shipment, were
saved.
Directly after the blaze had been subdued, Mr.
Johnson said that the loss was fully covered by in-
surance and that he would plan to rebuild at once.
The factory, which was so nearly destroyed, was 80
by 700 feet in dimensions and had a capacity of about
10,000 pianos a year. The Henry G. Johnson Piano
Mfg. Co. is capitalized at $1,000,000 and the growth
of the industry at Bellevue has been regarded as one
of the most remarkable in the history of the piano.
The winning styles of the Brinkerhoff Piano Co.,
Chicago, are shown in an attractive booklet now
effectively used by dealers. The leading pianos and
players are illustrated with excellent halftones.
The Colonial Style 51 is described as conforming
to the lines of Puritan architecture and will strongly
appeal to those who delight in simplicity and beauty
of design. Of the Empire Style 52, this is said: "In
our Empire style we have combined massiveness and
simplicity, creating an effect so ornate that its beauti-
ful proportions cannot but please the most fastidious."
The Virginian Style 42 is described as follows:
"The most magnificent home would be graced with
this splendid instrument, while there is no cottage
so modest that its presence would seem obtrusive,"
and the Bungalow Player, Style 68, the Colonial
Player, Style 62, the Empire Player, Style 66, and the
Brinkerhoff Grand also come in for their respective
shares of attention. This claim is made: "The
Brinkerhoff Grand piano has a very beautiful tone
quality, which has cost years of study and hard work
to develop. It represents the highest standard in
piano building."
PLANS FOR TUNERS' CONVENTION.
HOW MEXICO BUYS.
PIANOS AT FURNITURE SHOW.
The Krausgill Piano Co. and Baldwin Piano Co.
were among the exhibitors at the first annual ex-
hibition of the Louisville Home Furnishers, Louis-
ville, Ky. Both concerns displayed pianos and talk-
ing machines and players, in connection with elabo-
rate displays of furniture and general taricles neces-
sary in furnishing the modern home.
The Morris Piano Parlors, Omaha, Neb., opened
recently by Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Morris, has been
doing a lively business. The owners now find it
necessary to lease additional space.
PLAYER
PIANO
REPAIRING
Taught by men
In 8 WCMKB
Correspondence from Reliable
Dealers Invited
Complete Course $75.00
Factory and Offices, 304 W. 42nd St.
NEW YORK
WRITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
SALESMANSHIP included.
Also NIGHT COURSES
Piano Merchants Supplied With Reliable Tuners
and Repairmen
St. Louis Piano and Player Repair School
1514 Franklin Ave.
Jesse French & Sons Style BB
BRINKERHOFF BOOKLET
DESCRIBES THE LINE
New Catalog of Chicago Industry Also Pictures the
Various Styles.
Pianos and players to the combined number of
Committees in charge of arrangements for the con-
vention of the National Association of Piano Tuners, 2,551 valued at $747,164 were exported from the
to be held in Milwaukee August 11, 12 and 13, are United States to Mexico during the year 1823, ac-
cording to news given out by the Mexican Consulate
working out many plans for the entertainment of
General, 7, Dey street, New York, and published by
delegates, according to Charles Merkel, vice-president
the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
of the national organization and chairman of the
entertainment committee for the convention. The
program of convention events will be published next
week. Mr. Merkel states that the convention com-
mittees will go forward rapidly with plans for the
local program. The Hotel Wisconsin has been de-
cided upon as headquarters for the convention and
is making plans for the entertainment of visitors.
Approximately 500 delegates are expected to be in
attendance at the convention.
PIANO TUNING
Makers of Pianos and
Player Pianos That Are
Established L e a d e r s .
June 7, 1924.
For a
Bigger and Better
Business
. There is nothing to compare
with the complete line of
M. SCHULZ CO.
The Players are RIGHT In
everything t h a t means
money to the dealers and
satisfaction to the public
You will never do anything better
than when you get in touch with
M. SCHULZ CO.
711 Milwaukee Avenue
CHICAGO
r.RN BRANCH: 730 Candler Bldg., ATLANTA, GA
ST. LOUIS, MO.
The True Test
KREITER
Compare the new Jesse French & Sons Piano
Pianos and Players
with any other strictly high grade piano in tone,
touch and general construction, and you will be
convinced at once that t h e y offer the most
exceptional v a l u e s to be found anywhere.
Have No Competition Where
Beauty of Cases and Tone
Sustain Profit Making Prices.
Write today for catalog and prices
Everything the Highest but
the Price.
"They are the one best buy on the market"
Inspect them Carefully and See.
JESSE FRENCH & SONS PIANO CO.
NEW CASTLF,
INDIANA
Kreiter Mfg. Co., Inc.
320-322 W. Water St., Milwaukee, WU.
Factory: Marinette,
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).