The Lusk Herald, June 23, 1938

"Expert shoe repairing and dyeing that will make your old shoes look like new. Save on footwear costs at the Modern Shoe & Harness Shop."

Tommy Neilson, Prop.    Under Skaggs Store

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The Lusk Herald, October 6, 1938

Neilson moves shop to Payne Hardware building. Within the next week the Modern Shoe Shop will move into the north store building of Payne Implement and hardware store. Mr. Thomas Neilson purchased the business two years ago from Bill Hutchinson. He plans to enlarge his saddle repairing and cowboy boot department.

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The Lusk Herald, April 4, 1946

Leather Business is Expanding at Lusk

Expansion of the saddle-making and leather goods production of the Modern Shoe Shop is resulting in the expansion of facilities to the extent that the entire building will be utilized in the near future, with the Lusk firm becoming one of the largest producers in Wyoming. T.C. (Tommy) Neilson, proprietor, said this week.

The first stage of enlarging the plant is now nearing completion of a freight elevator from basement to second floor, and converting the rear 50 feet of the second floor into a manufacturing room. 

Since purchasing the present building, the Neilson enterprises has increased from a staff of three employees to ten employees.

The demand for leather goods from the Lusk firm even now far exceeds the ability to supply. In the manufacturing department , Kirwan-Neilson saddles will continue to be the major item, and they are gaining wide reputation. In addition there will be stockmen's accessories such as chaps, bridles, belts. Other items to be included in future production will be billfolds, purses, ladies and men's fringed leather coats, ladies' and children's balleros, split riding skirts and fringed skirts. 

The street floor is to be completely remodeled with a modern sales room to the front, and the shoe repair and other leather department in a separate room to the rear. The display widows and sales room will be finished in Western style 

Much of the staff of Modern Shoe Shop is now comparatively new in Lusk and with the firm bringing several new families. Ed Warrick and Charlie Buck have been with the firm longest, Mr. Warrick coming here from Bayard, Neb., four years ago.

Other members of the staff are Evelyn Crow, Lance Creek; Mary Olafson, Nebraska; Robert Fox, Belle Fourche; W.M. Giles, Morrill, Neb.; Sidney Wolf, Thermopolis; Robert White, Rock Springs, and Joe Vaughan and Bernard
Thon of Lusk.

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The Lusk Herald, May 9, 1946

Alliance Man Takes Over Shoe Repair Business

H.L. Osborne of Alliance, Nebraska, has purchased the show repair business of T.C. Neilson, effective May 1, and will continue operating it as a part of the Neilson leather manufacturing and repair business here.

The transaction allows Mr. Neilson to give full time to the manufacture of saddles and other leather goods.

Mr. Osborne formerly operated a shoe repair business in Denver and comes here highly recommende. At present Shorty Buck is assisting him in the business here, but Mr. Osborne expects to put on an additional repairman.

His family, Mrs. Osborne and their two children, Donna Lee in third grade and Jimmy, three years old, will remain in Alliance until school is finished.

Ed Warrick, who previously handled the shoe repair business, will work in the manufacturing phase of the business. He is now on vacation in Tecumcari, N. Mex., visiting a brother.  

Meanwhile Mr. Neislon is continuing the remodeling of his building. The shoe repair department has been moved to the rear of the first floor to provide space for a modern sales and show room. 

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The Leather Business Grows

T. C. (Tommy) Neilson is in the leather business. He builds all sorts of leather goods. Did you ever hear of a Kirwan-Neilson saddle? Tommy’s concern builds them to fit your individual measurement. You get measured for your saddle just like you get fitted for a pair of shoes. One of the popular pastimes around Lusk is horseback riding. In the first picture on this page you
see a part of the Lusk Riding Club mounted. These horses are groomed with Kirwan-Neilson tack. This establishment also makes cowboy boots, fringed jackets and ladies’ riding skirts.
When in Lusk drop in at the shop, which is located centrally on Lusk’s main business block. They will show you how leather is processed for the manufacture of riding equipment. The products are sold in many parts of the United States. They take pride in their work and turn out quality merchandise. Tom started this business in 1936. At that time he had but two employees. The staff of workers now consists of fifteen. He expects to expand to even greater numbers in the near future.
Tommy says aside from making saddles and riding horseback, he enjoys the wide open spaces. Fishing and hunting are down his alley.
“My wife is fond of the same sport. We always go on these expeditions together.”
He feels that a Fair is always a fine project for a community. Here people can get together, visit, exchange ideas, and everybody goes away happy for having made these contacts. It also serves as a medium of exhibits of our various products. The Neilson company will be represented by a booth at the Fair grounds and folks may see their finished products on display.
Neilson feels that this town of ours is one of the finest towns in Wyoming, and because it is in the very heart of the ranching territory of the State, it is exceptionally favorable to his type of business. In reality we have no real pressing problems socially as they relate to unemployment, race questions and group prejudices. If everyone will get down to the business of putting forth effort, there is no reason why we cannot sit on top of the economic ladder.
In compliance with his beliefs in the future of this community, Neilson and his wife have built a fine home just south of the Catholic Church. It is one of the nice homes of our community.
The particular spot in which the Neilson home is located has been much improved in the last few years. The Catholic folks have landscaped their church grounds, and the Tom Miller
property to the south of Neilson’s has also been landscaped. In summertime it is an especially pleasing spot which is restful to the eye.