The former Beebe-Holbrook Paper Company building was converted by the Holyoke Water Power Company into several units to accommodate small start-up companies. Some of these businesses, such as Acme Chain, Adams Plastic, Standard Greetings Inc., and Paul-Martin Rubber Company, expanded, relocated, and experienced longevity. Others did not meet with success. Here is the story of the Weycraft Paper Company, which was financially impacted by World War II espionage.
In 1940, the White Mountain Paper Company received approval from the State of New York, Corporations Division, to change its name to Weycraft Paper Corporation. The company sought to relocate and chose Holyoke as its new location. The company would lease the space and a paper machine from Holyoke Water Power Company and employ 12 workers.
The company's business was manufacturing coated protective papers for packaging. Paper and fabric type paper would be made grease-proof.
William G. Loomis of Jamestown, New York, was named Purchasing Agent. He would move his family to 201 Pleasant Street in Holyoke.
The key to the manufacturing process was John M. Behnke, a chemist who claimed to have developed a method for converting paper by introducing a soil-resistant protective coating. He joined the firm in 1940 on a contractual basis to provide the chemical process. The contract was signed on December 7, 1939.
In May 1941, he stated he would be stepping out of the building to cash a check. He never returned. The process of coating the paper had not been completed, so the company was at a loss. Claims by his family members that he was in a New York Hospital were unfounded. The FBI was brought into the case to investigate, as ownership had previously detected his outward Nazi leanings and actions.
It was found that Mr. Behnke's rented residence on Longwood Avenue contained detailed drawings and maps of Westover Air Force Base and its northeast airdome, located in the Chicopee Plains. He was traced to San Francisco and had already boarded a steamer bound for Germany across the Pacific.
Weycraft Paper Corporation sued and obtained a judgment for $6,000 for Behnke's failure to follow through with the contract. The company had lost $14,000 as a result of the process being incomplete. Weycraft needed to recreate and apply the grease-proof chemical formula. The fugitive did not return. There were conflicting reports as to whether Behnke's family remained after relocating to New York City.
In December 1942, Cellutin Corporation was formed and assumed control of Weycraft. Harry Prankard, the President of Cellutin Corp., died in 1948. Employees were furloughed in March 1949. There were denials of a plant closure; however, there is no indication that the business ever reopened.
In 1952, the plant's equipment was sold to Laminated and Coated Paper Company, a subsidiary of Melrose Paper Company, which was later established in Holyoke in 1958.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Price & Lee, City of Holyoke (Massachusetts) City Directories
