Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/727

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IMSTOKY OP GOODHUE < <>| n 635 he was very successful, but in time became discouraged and abandoned the enterprise. G. A. Carlson established the Pioneer Lime and Stone works ill 1871. His quarries were located at the south end of Barn Bluff and also in Sorin's Bluff. He operated a number of kilns and at the time of his greatest prosperity had one of the most extensive lime burning plants in the state. His efforts at burning lime by using gas instead of wood caused him heavy financial loss, and his enterprise is now abandoned. The Red "Wing-Sheboygan Lime Company, better known as Linne's enterprise and later called the Twin City Lime & Cement ( 'ompany, was established February 15, 1889, with a capital stock of $50,000. Those most heavily interested were F. J. Linne and H. L. Braesch. This company bought out the Red Wing Lime & Stone Company and for a time it looked as though the Twin City concern would become one of the most important in the state. The enterprise was abandoned about 1890. Charles Olson, known as •Cattish" Charlie, was another early lime burner, and as has already been noted, Robert Berglund was the predecessor of G. Lillyblad and conducted a large business. Andrew Danielson was also an extensive lime burner for many years. .Air. Danielson Avas at one time associated in the lime and cement business with Charles Betcher. In 1879 four companies were conducting extensive lime operations, the official state report of the matter being as follows : "R. L. Berglund, 250 barrels per week ; Danielson & Betcher, 75 barrels per day; G. A. Carlson, 90 barrels per day; Oleson & Co., 90 barrels per day.*' The lime produced in Red "Wing has always been of the finest quality and is in high esteem with builders throughout the Northwest. Red Wing Linseed Mills.— The 250,000 bushels of flax annu- ally raised in Goodhue county furnishes raw material for another of Red "Wing's important industries, the Red Wing Linseed Mills. The concern is situated near the south approach to the high wagon bridge across the Mississippi. The plant cost originally about $66,000. an elevator and late improvements bringing its value to about $100,000. The concern was started and the first buildings erected in 1901. At the reorganization in 1907 the officers elected were as follows: President. C. A. Betcher; vice president, N. H. Withel ; treasurer, C. F. Hjermstad ; secretary, ( '. E. Betcher. Since that time there has been no change. The Red Wing Shoe Company employs 100 people and pro- duces from 400 to 450 pairs of shoes daily. The original capital stock of $100,000 was enlarged to $200,000 in January. 1909. and the business is constantly increasing. The planl is an artistic