Dig,
Thank you very much. Sounds very much like the Henri Pieper operation. Pieper is the man credited with bringing mechanization the Belgian scene. Even the time lines are close. I was not aware of the Bonehill operation before this.
Pieper built a large factory complex around his home in Liege. He also established the "Brazil Works" in Nessonvaux to handle barrel production. After his death, it all came under the control of a German company.
Yes, the McKinley tariff was a disaster. I have his original speech in Congress. It was aimed at protecting the American farmer. Eventually party lines were drawn over the tariff.
The Belgians some how were able to get exemptions built in the tariff to their benefit. They obviously did this with help of American retail companies.
Pete
