The Moline Building History
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| CONTACT US : M. Shane Glazer, Jr. 2000 Grand Boulevard. #4 Kansas City, Missouri 64108. Ph. 816-809-2577 Office # 913-642-4746 E-mail Copyright @ 2005 The Moline Building, Legal Stuff |
| The Moline Plow Company Building was designed and built by Kansas City Architect Asa Beebe Cross in 1902. The building operated under the John Deere Company until the early 40’s, when it was sold to the Sears Roebuck Company to be used as a warehouse for local and regional distribution. Just following the sale to the Sears Roebuck Company, the Building was annexed and leased by the U.S. Army in April 1943 as a temporary Midwest headquarters; following the evacuation of their bivouac in Penn Valley Park, and the resale of their headquarters at the Midwest Hotel at 1925 Main Street back to the original Owner, Mrs. Stella Parke. After the War, the Moline Building was re- annexed by the Sears Roebuck Company and remained in their possession until the 1970’s or 80’s. No information was received by the Kansas City Office of Deeds on the Purchaser or a purchase price for the building. It is their speculation that the building sat empty for some time, and was transferred in a large Land Trade sale in the 1980’s. The building has remained a light use storage facility since that date. In 1858, Asa Cross relocated to Kansas City where he opened A.B. Cross & Co., a lumberyard, in partnership with George Rippey. Cross gradually shifted his business emphasis from lumber sales to building as an architect and contractor. He was joined in business by his stepson, William E. Taylor, Jr. who specialized in railroad construction. The collection at the UMKC archives includes account books for the Cross lumber yard, correspondence from family members, and a volume of business related letters pertaining to the career of William E. Taylor, Jr. Photographs include portraits of the Cross family and friends. Also included are papers relating to Cross family members and to the descendants of A.B. Cross through Catherine Cross Barnes, including her son, Alfred E. Barnes, Jr., who became a partner in the architectural firm of Hoit, Price, and Barnes, which built a number of prominent Kansas City buildings. Of note are diaries kept by Kate Cross before her marriage detailing daily activities of the Cross family and incidents in the Kansas City area. Kate Cross also maintained clipping books related to Cross and Taylor architectural projects, as well as more personal items. ca. 1855-1940. Asa Beebe Cross designed and executed construction of the Court House, Gillis Opera House, Coates Block, Insurance Exchange, James Block, Huilling Block, Times Building, Moline Plow Works Building, Union Depot, Keith & Perry Building, and the building of the National Bank of Commerce, considered the finest in its architecture, both externally and internally, in Kansas City. The Moline Plow Company Building was completed after his death in 1897. The making of Moline and the battle for branding With his decision to relocate his budding plow business here in 1847, John Deere can certainly take credit for putting Moline, Illinois, on the map In fact, his famed invention would earn Moline the nickname of "Plow City," which it celebrated proudly in its centennial year of 1948. What's in a name? |
| License to plow A 1949 Illinois license plate and Moline centennial holder (1848-1948) is another example of memorabilia that is not directly Deere, but still an interesting collectible for diehard Deere fans. |
With farmers in the Midwest, John Deere’s designs quickly became known as "Moline plows." However, a challenging hometown
competitor sought to take advantage of that fact by confusing customers with a similar name and product —Ýanother Moline Plow.
It started in 1866 with a catalog from Candee, Swan & Company that practically mirrored Deere’s own, duplicating the product line
almost model for model. Even prices and model numbers were identical! And perhaps, worst of all, Candee & Swan copied the Deere
trademark logo almost to the letter.
competitor sought to take advantage of that fact by confusing customers with a similar name and product —Ýanother Moline Plow.
It started in 1866 with a catalog from Candee, Swan & Company that practically mirrored Deere’s own, duplicating the product line
almost model for model. Even prices and model numbers were identical! And perhaps, worst of all, Candee & Swan copied the Deere
trademark logo almost to the letter.
It’s doubtful anyone would say that John Deere was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth, but these beautiful silver spoons call Moline "The Plow City" and sport the celebrated plow he designed in 1837. The ornate inscriptions make this trio an attractive addition to any John Deere collection. While it can’t be confirmed that Deere & Company actually produced any such items, some collectors could care less — they’d be proud to own one of these commemorative spoons. |
It didn’t take long for this confusion to cause concerns with farmers and dealers in the field.
Deere alleged that Candee & Swan dealers were deceptively marketing the products using Deere’s
solid reputation. Deere considered the Candee & Swan plows an "inferior imitation" and did his best to spread the word about the counterfeit
company in advertising. However, this did not seem to be enough, as Deere took Candee, Swan & Co. to court in 1867. It was a landmark
case in trademarks for the fact that it set the precedent whether or not a company could claim "ownership" of a town’s name after advertising it
heavily.
To add insult to injury, one of John Deere’s former employees had been fired and went to work for Candee & Swan. Andrew Friberg became
a pawn in the fierce fight between the two companies.
Oddly enough, Candee, Swan & Company was experiencing severe financial difficulties at this time. In mid-1868, the company was bought
out and renamed "The Moline Plow Company." Because of the similar names of the two companies, even mail was delivered erroneously
between them both!
The case concluded in November 1869 with a sweeping victory for Deere & Company. The defendants were "forever restrained and
enjoined" from calling themselves "The Moline Plow Co." and were not to infringe on the trademark, model names, or product line of Deere.
Unfortunately, the case was appealed to the Illinois State Supreme Court in 1871 and the initial decision reversed, causing Deere a
temporary setback and giving The Moline Plow Company a big boost on its way to becoming a major manufacturer.
This acclaimed enemy would drag Deere down again during a prolonged bid process in 1889 from a British syndicate who wanted to buy
Deere & Company, Deere & Mansur, and the Moline Plow Company. Eventually, the deal fell through, but not before Charles Deere himself
Deere alleged that Candee & Swan dealers were deceptively marketing the products using Deere’s
solid reputation. Deere considered the Candee & Swan plows an "inferior imitation" and did his best to spread the word about the counterfeit
company in advertising. However, this did not seem to be enough, as Deere took Candee, Swan & Co. to court in 1867. It was a landmark
case in trademarks for the fact that it set the precedent whether or not a company could claim "ownership" of a town’s name after advertising it
heavily.
To add insult to injury, one of John Deere’s former employees had been fired and went to work for Candee & Swan. Andrew Friberg became
a pawn in the fierce fight between the two companies.
Oddly enough, Candee, Swan & Company was experiencing severe financial difficulties at this time. In mid-1868, the company was bought
out and renamed "The Moline Plow Company." Because of the similar names of the two companies, even mail was delivered erroneously
between them both!
The case concluded in November 1869 with a sweeping victory for Deere & Company. The defendants were "forever restrained and
enjoined" from calling themselves "The Moline Plow Co." and were not to infringe on the trademark, model names, or product line of Deere.
Unfortunately, the case was appealed to the Illinois State Supreme Court in 1871 and the initial decision reversed, causing Deere a
temporary setback and giving The Moline Plow Company a big boost on its way to becoming a major manufacturer.
This acclaimed enemy would drag Deere down again during a prolonged bid process in 1889 from a British syndicate who wanted to buy
Deere & Company, Deere & Mansur, and the Moline Plow Company. Eventually, the deal fell through, but not before Charles Deere himself
ended up owning shares of his competitor’s stock. Later, Deere would compete with his rivals in plow (Flying Dutchman) and tractor (Moline Universal) manufacturing as well.
Employees also switched sides, leading to multiple clashes in court over design patents, branch battles, slanderous attacks, and such. As it turns out, Deere seriously
considered buying the Moline Plow Company’s tractor plant in 1924, but it was sold to the International Harvester Company instead. The Moline Plow Co. was then renamed the
Moline Implement Company, which eventually consolidated into the Minneapolis-Moline business.
Next week, The Green Girl takes a break from the Related Companies series to hype her upcoming book, John Deere Collectibles. Plus, The Green Girl will be returning from
Italy with a full report of any Deere sightings abroad!
Employees also switched sides, leading to multiple clashes in court over design patents, branch battles, slanderous attacks, and such. As it turns out, Deere seriously
considered buying the Moline Plow Company’s tractor plant in 1924, but it was sold to the International Harvester Company instead. The Moline Plow Co. was then renamed the
Moline Implement Company, which eventually consolidated into the Minneapolis-Moline business.
Next week, The Green Girl takes a break from the Related Companies series to hype her upcoming book, John Deere Collectibles. Plus, The Green Girl will be returning from
Italy with a full report of any Deere sightings abroad!
Plow story |
John Deere dealers ran ads
to warn customers of
"counterfeit" Moline plows
from Candee, Swan &
Company. The ad says that
the competitor does not have
"sufficient confidence in their
own plow to offer them upon
their own merits." From John
Deere’s Company by Wayne
Broehl.
to warn customers of
"counterfeit" Moline plows
from Candee, Swan &
Company. The ad says that
the competitor does not have
"sufficient confidence in their
own plow to offer them upon
their own merits." From John
Deere’s Company by Wayne
Broehl.
These pins represent mostly plow
companies (except for the large Velie car
button in the center…see the 11/6/00
column). At the far left is a stick pin of the
Flying Dutchman spokesman for The Moline
Plow Company. The small red shield stick
pin is from the Rock Island Plow Company,
another Quad City manufacturer. Both of
these Deere competitors also built a tractor
for a brief period in the early 1900s. The
silver button in the lower center is for John
Deere plows. The far right stick pin is from
Hummer. Photo © Copyright 2000 Denny
Eilers
companies (except for the large Velie car
button in the center…see the 11/6/00
column). At the far left is a stick pin of the
Flying Dutchman spokesman for The Moline
Plow Company. The small red shield stick
pin is from the Rock Island Plow Company,
another Quad City manufacturer. Both of
these Deere competitors also built a tractor
for a brief period in the early 1900s. The
silver button in the lower center is for John
Deere plows. The far right stick pin is from
Hummer. Photo © Copyright 2000 Denny
Eilers
This glass paperweight compliments of the
Syracuse Chilled Plow Company can
probably be dated between 1879 and 1911
— when the company was first founded and
when it was acquired by John Deere. A
matching paperweight from the John Deere
Plow Company of Kansas City featuring
"implements, wagons & buggies" is also
known to exist. The trademark featured in this
other piece is identical to one used in 1893.
Photo © Copyright 2000 Denny Eilers
Syracuse Chilled Plow Company can
probably be dated between 1879 and 1911
— when the company was first founded and
when it was acquired by John Deere. A
matching paperweight from the John Deere
Plow Company of Kansas City featuring
"implements, wagons & buggies" is also
known to exist. The trademark featured in this
other piece is identical to one used in 1893.
Photo © Copyright 2000 Denny Eilers
An 1897 catalog, colorful trading
cards, postcard and watch fobs
hail from the Syracuse Chilled
Plow Company of Syracuse, New
York, which was established in
1879. The company joined the
Deere organization in the early
1900s, adding a popular
chilled-plow design to the John
Deere product line.
cards, postcard and watch fobs
hail from the Syracuse Chilled
Plow Company of Syracuse, New
York, which was established in
1879. The company joined the
Deere organization in the early
1900s, adding a popular
chilled-plow design to the John
Deere product line.
The Syracuse Chilled Plow company
Not all plow companies were competitive with John Deere. The Syracuse Chilled Plow Works
factory of New York state manufactured plows that perfectly complemented John Deere’s
design for the Midwest. The chilled plows first made by Thomas Wiard in 1867 worked well in
the light, gravelly soils of the East.
The thriving business became the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company in 1879. First year sales
of the highest-grade chilled plows reached 7,000 units. The Hoover line of potato equipment
was also built here. In 1911, the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company was added to the John
Deere family.
Not all plow companies were competitive with John Deere. The Syracuse Chilled Plow Works
factory of New York state manufactured plows that perfectly complemented John Deere’s
design for the Midwest. The chilled plows first made by Thomas Wiard in 1867 worked well in
the light, gravelly soils of the East.
The thriving business became the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company in 1879. First year sales
of the highest-grade chilled plows reached 7,000 units. The Hoover line of potato equipment
was also built here. In 1911, the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company was added to the John
Deere family.
1904 Plow trials:
Regulations which governed the plow trial held at the Missouri Agricultural College were as follows:
Plows were entered in the following classes, according to their construction: Sulky Plows, Sulky Attachments, Walking Plows, Gang Plows, Reversible Plows, Subsoil Plows,
Prairie Breakers and Sod Plows.
The Committee of Arrangements consisted of G.C. Swallow, Dean of Agricultural College, J.P. McAffee, Master of Boone Grange, W.L. Victor, W.T. Hickman, S.B. Spence, from
Boone Grange, and J.G. Potts, J.L. Sterne, J.C. Gillaspy from the Boone County Agricultural and Mechanical Association.
First Place Prizes were awarded to:
Sulky Plows in Bluegrass Sod: Starling, Princeton Manufacturing Co., Princeton, Ill.
Prairie Breakers in Bluegrass Sod: Evans, Moline Plow Co., Kansas City, Mo.
Walking Plows in Bluegrass Sod: Speer Walking Plow, A. Speer and Son, Pittsburg Pa.
Sulky Plows in Old Bottom Soil: Hughes, Hughes Plow Co., St. Louis Mo.
Sulky Attachments in Old Bottom Soil: Slusser, L. Yinger, St. Louis Mo.
Walking Plows in Old Bottom Soil: Moline Walking Plow, Moline Plow Co., Kansas City, Mo.
Reversible Plows in Old Bottom Soil: Hillside Plow, Laur and Hartman, Louisville, Ky.
Gang Plows in Old Bottom Soil: Gang Plow, B.F. Avery and Sons, Louisville, Ky.
The Dynamometer tests were judged on draft per square inch of furrow section, area of section of furrow, draft in pounds, depth and width of furrows, and width of plow.
On the Monday succeeding the plow trial, May 21st, there was an interesting trial of cultivators in the bottom cornfield on the Agricultural Farm.
The Evans sulky prairie breaker was a dandy. It was a fourteen inch walking plow that could be pulled by two horses.
He [Asa Cross] designed and executed construction of the Court House, Gillis Opera House, Coates Block, Insurance Exchange, James Block, Huilling Block, Times
Building, Moline Plow Works Building, Union Depot, Keith & Perry Building, and the building of the National Bank of Commerce, considered the finest in its architecture, both
externally and internally, here."
Regulations which governed the plow trial held at the Missouri Agricultural College were as follows:
- Quality of Work 25
- Adjustability 20
- Durability 20
- Simplicity 15
- Draft 20
Plows were entered in the following classes, according to their construction: Sulky Plows, Sulky Attachments, Walking Plows, Gang Plows, Reversible Plows, Subsoil Plows,
Prairie Breakers and Sod Plows.
The Committee of Arrangements consisted of G.C. Swallow, Dean of Agricultural College, J.P. McAffee, Master of Boone Grange, W.L. Victor, W.T. Hickman, S.B. Spence, from
Boone Grange, and J.G. Potts, J.L. Sterne, J.C. Gillaspy from the Boone County Agricultural and Mechanical Association.
First Place Prizes were awarded to:
Sulky Plows in Bluegrass Sod: Starling, Princeton Manufacturing Co., Princeton, Ill.
Prairie Breakers in Bluegrass Sod: Evans, Moline Plow Co., Kansas City, Mo.
Walking Plows in Bluegrass Sod: Speer Walking Plow, A. Speer and Son, Pittsburg Pa.
Sulky Plows in Old Bottom Soil: Hughes, Hughes Plow Co., St. Louis Mo.
Sulky Attachments in Old Bottom Soil: Slusser, L. Yinger, St. Louis Mo.
Walking Plows in Old Bottom Soil: Moline Walking Plow, Moline Plow Co., Kansas City, Mo.
Reversible Plows in Old Bottom Soil: Hillside Plow, Laur and Hartman, Louisville, Ky.
Gang Plows in Old Bottom Soil: Gang Plow, B.F. Avery and Sons, Louisville, Ky.
The Dynamometer tests were judged on draft per square inch of furrow section, area of section of furrow, draft in pounds, depth and width of furrows, and width of plow.
On the Monday succeeding the plow trial, May 21st, there was an interesting trial of cultivators in the bottom cornfield on the Agricultural Farm.
The Evans sulky prairie breaker was a dandy. It was a fourteen inch walking plow that could be pulled by two horses.
He [Asa Cross] designed and executed construction of the Court House, Gillis Opera House, Coates Block, Insurance Exchange, James Block, Huilling Block, Times
Building, Moline Plow Works Building, Union Depot, Keith & Perry Building, and the building of the National Bank of Commerce, considered the finest in its architecture, both
externally and internally, here."
