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Kaspar Wire Works, Inc. began its grand existence more than 100 years ago
when August Kaspar made and sold his first wire basket. It was around that
time when ranchers discarded their old smooth wire fences in favor of barbed
wire. August picked up some of the discarded wire and fashioned for himself
a crude looking basket intended to help him carry hay and corn shucks from
the barn to the animal stalls. A neighbor saw the basket and bought it for a
dollar. He made a second basket which was sold to another neighbor, again
for one dollar.
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August Kaspar Pictured in his backyard shop with workman and son, Arthur
Kaspar, (left) making corn shuck baskets |
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With nothing more
to work with than his hands and a pair of pliers, he began to weave large
baskets in lots of a dozen or more, load them on a wagon, and peddle from
farm to farm selling his baskets for a dollar each. A few of these baskets
are still in existence today - treasured as antiques. Soon after, August
began making other things from wire and finally quit farming altogether to
make wire products full time. |
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He built a wooden
barn-like structure to house his new business venture and bought several
machines to assist him - including hand-cranked and gas-powered wire
straightening machines. These machines served to make his products much more
presentable because he no longer had to work with crooked wire. He began
selling his products through general stores and hardware stores rather than
peddle them door to door. Business was booming. |
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First building built circa 1930,
still in use today. A big gamble during depression days. |
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August Kaspar was
assisted in this venture by his son Arthur. Arthur was only 10 years old
when he began to help his father with the new machines and with the basket
making. Arthur gained a knack for dealing with the unruly pieces of
equipment his father had purchased, learning how to fine tune the gasoline
engines and handle the maintenance and repairs. In his father's shop, Arthur
developed a lifelong love for machines and manufacturing. Arthur also had a
hand in creating new machines for production of the Kaspar products -
including new twisting tools and machines to fashion wire coat hangers. |
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Model T Truck used in early
sales calls by Arthur Kaspar circa 1924. Here he is crossing a river in
Arkansas on a hand operated ferry. This was not the trip someone
took a shot at him. |
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Arthur also took
it upon himself to make many business trips to promote the sale of their
wire products. They purchased a new Model T Ford - which was constantly in
need of repair - and traveled far and wide selling the baskets for which the
Wire Works is famous. |
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Eventually Arthur
passed the business to his son Don Kaspar. Don continued his father's work
and built the Wire Works into an international corporation that is still
family owned and dedicated to the product we produce. Though Don Kaspar
still works at the Wire Works, he has passed the operation of the company
onto the shoulders of his four sons. |
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Over the years
Kaspar Wire Works Inc. has grown to be one of the largest family owned and
operated businesses and one of the most prominent wire products manufacturer
in the country. The Kaspar family continue to expand their product lines and
pass the business down from father to son.
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