Black’s Glass

356 and 360 Jefferson

I need to put a photo here. 

Billy Morgan’s Blacksmith Shop

Black’s Glass

1901 Sanborn Map image of the northern corner of Jefferson and Chestnut. 

According to photos in the Archive of the building that was on this corner, William Kelley was not only the original blacksmith in this location, but he was also Fort Collins’ earliest blacksmith. But earliest newspaper articles that reference blacksmiths mention F. N. B. Scott (as early as March 1874). So it’s likely that William Kelley was an early blacksmith, but not Fort Collins’ first blacksmith.

“TRADE NOTES

“M. M. St. Clair of Fort Collins and E. A. Smith and Edwin D. Smith of Loveland have incorporated the Fort Collins Manufacturing Company for the purpose of engaging in the manufacture of the Smith Beet Puller. This is the machine that Mr. Smith had hoped that Loveland capitalists would be interested in having manufactured in Loveland. Mr. Smith has a fine machine which will decrease the cost of raising beets.—Loveland Reporter” (The American Sugar Industry and Beet Sugar Gazette, Chicago. January 5, 1907. Vol. IX. No. 1. p. 87)

“WILL MANUFACTURE PATENT BEET PULLERS
The Fort Collins Implement Manufacturing company is installing machinery in the Morgan blacksmith shop, corner of Jefferson and Chestnut streets, for the manufacture of a new beet puller on which United States patents have been obtained. The machine was invented by Edward A. Smith of Loveland, and the first one made was given a thorough test last fall in the Loveland beet growing district and it worked like a charm. It is simple in construction, durably made and there is nothing about it that is liable to get out of order with fair usage, and is easily and effectively operated. A light team will pull from four to five acres of beets a day, working a great saving in the matter of expense, as the cost is only about a dollar an acre in ordinary soil. The machine is gauged to run about three inches deep in the soil and it lifts the beets from their beds and leaves them standing in the row, free from dirt, for the topper, which is claimed to be a great advantage over machines that lift them and throw them down on the ground. It also lifts every beet in the row, not one being missed, thus working a saving of beets. Some of the machines in use often miss beets, causing a loss to the grower or a good deal of extra work, but the Smith machine pulls every one. The company expects to begin manufacturing the machines about the first of March and will employ a number of hands at the work. A part of the machinery for the plant has already been placed in position and the remainder is on the way here from eastern factories. The cost of the completed beet puller will be $75. The officers of the company are Edward A. Smith, president, Edward B. Smith, vice-president, and M. M. St. Clair, secretary and treasurer. The establishment of this plant adds another enterprise to the manufacturing industries of the city, which deserves the fostering care of the community.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 13, 1907)