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.