A Brief History of the Redwing Hatchery

On or about Dec. 1st, 1914, I became acquainted with Frank Miller, while working for F. E. Engstrum of Hollywood, who induced me to go into the hatchery business with him as an equal partner.

I put in as my share $175.00 which I had saved during the previous six months out of my wages, and my partner put up an equal value in incubators and cash.

In March I left Mr. Engstrum and took an active part in the business at 7217 Beach Street, Los Angeles, where I stayed until Jan. 1st, 1916, when Mr. Miller politely informed me that he had decided that we should dissolve partnership and he would return to me my $175.00 that I had at first invested, but would not give me my share of the year's profits as we had agreed.

Since I was a minor and no papers of any kind were drawn up I was forced to accept his decision and mark it up to experience which I did, for the memory is still green.

On January 15th I again entered into partnership with Mr. T. J. Lewis of 7302 Walnut Drive, Los Angeles, with my $175.00.

The necessary papers were drawn up and we formed an equal partnership and started into business under the name of the Redwing Hatchery.

We worked up a good business together from January 1916 until June 1917, when, at my request, we dissolved partnership and I moved my share of the incubators and other equipment to 2030 E. Florence Ave., Los Angeles, where it is at present.

As Mr. Lewis was not very well acquainted with the outside end of the business I made him the proposition that I would gather eggs sufficient for his needs and also market his chicks for him which was satisfactory all around; later I bought him out entirely.

At this time I acquired another partner, Mrs. Daisy E. Schneider, a widow with two minor children, who put in cash and equipment to equal my investment.

On June 12, 1917 we had all of our equipment and incubators destroyed by fire, with the exception of two incubators, and as we carried no insurance there was nothing for it but to begin at the bottom again with the two incubators which we had saved out of the fire.

This we did and from that time until the present we have worked it up to where we now own 100 incubators and an incubating house 20' by 140', fully covered by insurance, and our estimated output for the present year is 200,000 baby chicks. Our output for the coming year, with our present equipment, will be in the neighborhood of 411,000 chicks.

Next season we shall be compelled to hire two assistants in the hatchery on account of an increase in capacity which we made last July in preparation for the coming season of 1919.

In closing this recital I do solemnly swear that all business connections of this firm I brought with me when I entered into the partnership with the said Daisy E. Schneider, that I transact all business connected with the same, and that I am the sole controlling, directing and managing head of the concern.

And I do further state that I consider this business essential to the public welfare of the people of the United States which is evidenced in the fact that there have been more baby chicks sold this year than ever before and that at no time have we been able to fill the demand.

Also it is necessary that poultry and eggs should be consumed by the people at home in order to conserve meat for use in France.

Signed this 28th day of October, 1918.

I, Daisy E. Schneider, have read the foregoing affidavit and do affirm that it is true in every detail.

I invested my capital in the Redwing Hatchery on the recommendation of Mr. Hughes, in the hope that I could make enough to provide for myself and my two minor children; and I depend on him to take care of my interests and manage my share of the business so I do hereby enter my pleas for his exemption.

Signed this 28th day of October, 1918.