Miscellaneous Industries
Grist Mill, Broom Factory, Brick Making, Upholstery Shop, Oil Corporation

"Vernon Parish Democrat," November 4, 1920

"Wednesday, October 27 -- Comrade Lindsey is getting a broom factory crew broken in, so that he can devote his time, entirely, to the farm work. Chas. Strause is winding brooms and A. Belohradsky is doing the sewing. This is an industry that is fast becoming popular in our vicinity. Many of our neighbors are calling for Colony brooms, because they are made in Vernon Parish and are guaranteed. They are made entirely of the best material, and there is no substitution for broom straw.

The shoe shop is helping cut and lace belts at the brick factory, and the mud eater should turn over to-day. The blacksmiths are repairing wagons and farm tools and are kept very busy, as this is the first time we have had to stop for repairs.

Thursday, October 28 -- The shoe shop crew is back pegging shoes and sewing leather to-day, while Ole and the building department put on the final touches at the brick works. If Ole and Co. don't hurry, DeVine and Co. will begin to make mud balls for a revengeful purpose."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," January 27, 1921

"Bricks are Again Shot Out at a Fast Rate -- The Colony brick plant began again to snort this week, and bricks began to spurt out from the hungry monster's mouth at an alarming rate.

Last year, several thousand bricks were made by hand and burned, proving the quality and conditions of the clay bed to be favorable for brickmaking. The machinery was purchased and installed to make the industry a staple one, and to reduce the amount of hand labor necessary.

Orders have at various times been received, and a carload was shipped north. It is expected that there will be a ready market for this product."

"Llano Colonist," May 27, 1922

"Comrade [N.M.] Harris is a graduated optimetrist [sic], and has an equipment which will enable him to take care of the eyes of the colonists.

He is also a jeweler and watch maker and repairer, and has already established himself in the Llano store, and has received lots of watches and clocks to repair."

"Llano Colonist," June 10, 1922

"Llano Tannery Newest Co-operative Industry -- Freedom From Leather Trust Seen When Tanner Makes Leather From Hides At Llano -- Leather has been made in Llano this week. Comrade Ley, who came here from Alabama recently, has tanned hides this week in the Llano Tannery. These were more as a trial order; but as they turned out all right, the tannery has now 34 hides in process, which means that Llano can have plenty of its own leather for all needs.

Not only this, but the leather goods industry is now a possibility. Hides are selling so low in this locality that farmers get bills for freight charges when they ship them, instead of a check from the commission man. Llano Colony can purchase hides here and sell the leather, or leather goods.

With the one-piece comfort shoes that Comrades Cox and "Roedemeister make in the Llano shoe shop, the beginning of the tannery will solve another problem - the shoe problem - thus eliminating another prop from the Colony's dependence on the outside.

Also the harness shop will be able to use much leather in the making and repairing of harness.

Comrade Roede has just completed a pair of baseball shoes made for a member of the Llano ball team. They are 100% leather, but not a yard wide.

The Llano tannery is not an elaborate affair just now, but when it grows who can tell where it will stop.

Hoorah for Llano leather!"

"Llano Colonist," November 25, 1922

"Over here, in this other part of the big concrete building is the broom factory; this is where Walt Fread makes brooms on rainy days. Ball and Strauss help him at times. They are also making whisk and toy brooms for children as Xmas presents. Don't forget to order one for your boy or girl."

"Llano Colonist," June 22, 1929

""Mr. Bingham, having a little spare time from the broom factory helped the building Dept. out by doing some repair work at the Hopkins home. Mr. Bingham also does our upholstery work, casket trimming and the covering of cab and truck tops."

"Llano Colonist," July 6, 1929

"Over at our tin smith's shop it is a mighty hard thing to find a job that cannot be done in sheet metal work provided it can be done any other place. When it is finished it is a job that can do credit to any shop."

"Llano Colonist," March 1, 1930

"The gristmill and other affairs contiguous is doing a very still job all the time. Kemp is ever at it. Grinding corn, rice, wheat and such other things as may come to hand."

"Llano Colonist," November 22, 1930

"We have our own brick and tile factory with the clay banks for manufacturing these products from which to build homes, factories and warehouses...

We have our own... grist mill where we have the machinery for putting into a finished product not only grains, and beans, but where we grind and prepare our own feed for our live stock and poultry, as well as for ourselves."

"Llano Colonist," November 12, 1932

“Llano Hammermill; Feed ground to any degree of coarseness or fineness desired. We grind table meal; if you ask us we’ll grind your corn on the cob with the shucks on it. Just ask us! Inquire of Industrial Superintendent...”

"Llano Colonist," July 10, 1937

“Some Colony Oil Promotion History -- For the benefit of our more distant readers, here is some history of oil promotion on Colony holdings.

The well located on July 1 is the fourth to be drilled on Colony lands, totalling some 15,000 acres.

The Number 1 well, here at the Colony center, was drilled to a depth of 3605 feet. Unfortunately the drill stem was caught by a boulder and despite all efforts, it could not be recovered. It had to be shot off, thus losing 1600 feet of stem. This location was only about fifteen rods from the Colony hotel, which sits on a slight rise.

Due to the fact that there was oil and gas showings in No. 1, under the 3,000-foot level, a second project was started west of the Colony center about five miles, by winding road. Practically the same thing occurred as in No. 1. The drill stem became unscrewed down about 2,000 feet and in spite of all "fishing" attempts less that 2,000 feet of drill stem was recovered, leaving the remainder in the hole. The depth at the time of the accident was slightly under 4,000 feet. Plans were to go at least 5,250 feet.

Undeterred the Colony arranged to drill a third well. It was located a mile south of No. 2. It was sunk to a depth of 3,240 feet. The contract was for 3,000 feet. The well was abandoned as a dry hole.

Still unsatisfied that a real test had been made for oil on account of the shallowness of the drilling, other efforts were made by the Colony to secure another test, and to a depth that would be more satisfactory. Such a contract was successfully negotiated which resulted in this latest activity.

The depth is to be 6,000 feet, unless oil or gas is struck in commercial quantities at a lesser depth.

Should oil be found, as is confidently believed by the operators it will be, it will mean the fulfillment of a dream that has persisted for more than seventeen years, or since the arrival of the Colony in Louisiana.

At that time there was quite a fight in the Colony by conflicting interests over what looked to be an immediate search for oil It required several years and much negotiating to get matters straightened out so that the Colony could go ahead with the assurance that once oil was struck there would be no legal battle staged."