WHERE IT ALL STARTED:  IN 1952 JACK DISCOVERED THAT THE OK RUBBER BUSINESS, LOCATED ON NORTH THORINGTON STREET IN ALGONA WAS FOR SALE.  THE YOUNG BUISNESS MAN CAMTE TO LOOK AT THE BUSINESS AND NEGOTIATED A PRICE WITH THE OWNER.  UNABLE TO OBTAIN A CONVENTIONAL LOAN, JACK CONVINCED HIS PARENTS AND PARENT-IN-LAW TO LEND PART OF THE MONEY NECESSARY TO SECURE HIS DREAM OF OWNING A BUSINESS.  JACK GOT THE REST OF THE MONEY HE NEEDED BY SELLING THE FAMILY CAR, WITH THE INTENTION OF USING THE 1947 DODGE PICKUP TRUCK WHICH CAME WITH THE BUSINESS FOR ALL HIS TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.  HE ALSO CASHED IN HIS $300 LIFE INSURANCE POLICY.


WHILE HE WAS TRAVELING TO ALGONA TO BUY THE TIRE BUY THE TIRE BUSINESS, A LETTER WAS ON ITS WAY TO HIS HOME IN STORM LAKE.  THE LETTER EXPLAINED THAT THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS HAD CHANGED HIS MIND ABOUT SELLING.  "MY FIRST BIG SALE WAS TO RESELL HIM," JACK SAID.  " I WALKED IN WITH THE MONEY AND FOUND HE HAD CHANGED HIS MIND.  HE FINALLY ACCEPTED MY OFFER.  " I WAS 28 YEARS OLD.  I HAD A WIFE TWO KIDS TO FEED AND $11.75 LEFT TO MEET MY FIRST WEEK'S PAYROLL.  I HAD NEVER CHANGED A TIRE IN MY LIFE OR PATCHED A INNER TUBE.  WE MET THE FIRST WEEK'S PAYROLL AND DEPENDING ON YOUR OUTLOOK, IT HAS BEEN DOWNHILL OR UPHILL SINCE THEN," HE SAID.