Jan. 12, 1893 Brother Summerhays wanted me to come up to his office. Later I called. He asked me if I was out of employment. On stating my position he said the paper Co. [Granite Paper Mills Co.] wanted a man to rustle on the road for them. He said they wanted a man to take hold of the business and help them out. Wanted my figures. I offered to work for 85.00 pr mt. said he would see the directors and lay the matter before them. I was to call again in the morning.
After two meetings with paper company directors, Andrew agreed to work for them, beginning on January 16. He started by canvassing the city’s businesses, including Auerbachs.225 Then he went outside the city to the stores in the little towns.
In his first selling tour for the paper company, Andrew covered familiar ground, north to Malad and another visit to the Washakie Ward.226 He then visited the many small communities of Cache Valley.
Work for Granite Paper Mills Company included keeping books of the business, soliciting, collecting, and looking after the office when Brother Lambert was out.227
Disaster struck on April 1 when fire destroyed the paper mills. This would soon put Andrew out of work again, although for the next few weeks he kept busy doing paperwork, closing accounts, and taking inventory at the warehouse. On May 15, Brother Lambert bought the remaining stock of paper and arranged for Andrew to continue selling it in the Salt Lake area. Andrew also sold a little insurance.228
Then, in early June, he found a job as a sales representative for Bee Hive Soap, a new local firm making high-quality soap. Andrew agreed to work for only $60 a month with prospects of increase as business increased. Immediately he started selling in the nearby towns, as far as Sandy, then Ogden and Brigham City. He made a northern swing to Cache Valley and southern Idaho as far as Pocatello. Andrew provided several local newspapers with “news” columns about the high-quality soap produced by an up-and-coming new soap factory, being introduced by sales representative Andrew Kimball and worthy of patronage by loyal westerners.229
The soap company expressed satisfaction with his work, but times were hard and they could not afford to have him go out again yet.230 But at least Brother Grant, his employer, “furnished me a horse and buggy during the dull times while I laid off awhile.” Andrew did some local business even though he did not go out on selling trips.231
Still other income possibilities presented themselves. B. F. Cummings proposed he and Andrew start a genealogical research company. But Andrew consulted Joseph F. Smith about it and he got the advice that such a company would probably not pay well.232
Abram Hatch proposed Andrew’s moving his family to Heber City and taking the job of stake clerk and tithing clerk, but the position would not be open for a year.233 And in any event, Andrew decided there was not enough tithing in that stake for the clerk’s percentage to provide a living for his family.234
In addition to Bee Hive Soap, Andrew gradually came to represent more than a dozen businesses.235
After working as traveling salesman since 1885, Andrew began representing Bee Hive Soap Company in 1893.
In August, Andrew and another salesman, Will Calder, worked together to make a two-week trip south to Utah Valley and Sanpete areas.236 Calder furnished a farm cart and together they hired a team. From Nephi they went to Sanpete County and then south to Sevier County, as far as Richfield. As they rode over rough roads, Andrew read aloud Ben Hur and The History of the Church. For three weeks Andrew canvassed stores in every town and village north to Brigham City and east to Heber City.
As an advertising effort, Andrew built a model of the Salt Lake Temple out of Bee Hive soap and displayed it in an Ogden store window.237 It attracted a lot of favorable attention. He also stood on the street and handed out soap samples.
With business slow and winter coming on, Andrew decided it would be a good time to make his second trip to Indian Territory. He was gone nearly ten weeks, from mid-November 1893 to January 20, 1894.
Because of his frequent travel, Andrew was released from his callings as Young Men’s president and Sunday School teacher.238
234. Andrew Kimball, Journal, March 17, 1894. In general priesthood meeting “a vote was taken to discontinue salaries in the church in the future.” April 7, 1896. Compensation was still given to stake presidents and clerks for their work for many years yet.
235. Andrew sold for New York Life Insurance Co. (Andrew Kimball, Journal, January 7, 1893); Granite Paper Mills Company remnants (January 16, 1893); Bee Hive Soap (May 21, 1893, article about soap); Upper Ten Baking Powder (April 15, 1894); American Biscuit and Manufacturing Company (April 15, 1894); Utah Slaughtering Company; Salt Lake Vinegar Company; V. T. Remedies; Utah Chewing Gum Company; Mt. Nebo Salt Manufacturing Company (January 21, 1896); San Jose Packing Company (October 7, 1896); Provo Woolen Mills (October 13, 1897); Salt Lake Silk Company; Inland Crystal Salt Company; and Cutler Brothers (1897 journal summary).
