Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-05
E.0CAL. sNTEs.xFssENE u


Passing through Cary street, few days since we obs
served the exhaust pipe of steam engine putting rner
ry away through the roof wooden building situated
the south side of the street, Immediately below the
Porter Warehouse of our old friends Messrs J. & +.
Cen1ning. Curiosity-not idle curiosity however for
the writer rarely INDUCES that sort of thing-induced
us to approach the building glance at the interior
satisfied that new branch of industry had been
added to the productive capacity of the CITY, Upon ell
quiry learned that the establishment belonged TO Mr.
PHILIP RAIN. and that it was devoted almost excu-
sively to the manufacture of Tobacco Mill Fixtures
At the instance Of the owner we looked through the
establishment and feeling that only dischargin
debt due to honest industry and unobtrusive merit we
proceed to speak of Mr. Rahm and his new enterprise
flfteen or twenty years ago, German exile sought
our Shores for the double purpose of escaping the y
ranny and oppression of the Fatheland and of better
ing his shattered fortunes Chance led him to select this
city his abiding place He brought with him wifi,
and Children the latter of whom being of tender years.
were helpessy dependent. With that indomitable en-
ergy always characteristic of the sturdy German who
knows no such word ''ail" the exile sought and OBJ
tanned employment In due course of time his children
attained an age when 1t became necessary for them
acquire knowledge ofsome trade handcra where
by they might be enabled in after life to provide for
themselves. He placed one of his in the machine
shop and foundry of Messrs. Talbot & Brothers. where
a
ledge of machinery and engine work This son, we
need scarcely introduce to the reader as Mr. Philip Rabn
the enterprising mechanic to whose establishment we
have above all led.
Shortly after he became free, Mr. Rahm determined
to set up for himself With this view he secured
small building which formerly stood on the site of his
present establishment Here, with the aid of single
apprentice, he commenced business. He possessed lit
tie or no capital in the common acceptation of the term
that is, his stock of money ind1erenty small
but he possessed capital of another description which
is far valuable than silver gold. possessed
health, skill, industry and energy. With these-a sne.
cies of capital which every poor boy in the land may
possess-he begun. Now let see what he has accom-.
plished in the brief space Of six or seven years
Upon entering his shop, found twenty-six work
busily engaged in different branches of manufac.
ture. One had charge of an ingenously conrved ma.
chine for planning from others engaged in forging
and dressings whilst others again were engaged in nut
ting together and fitting up tobacco shapeners In an
adjoining shop several carpenters were employed in
executing the woodwork necessary to complete the
fixtures. In the front shop beautiful steam engine of
ten horse power, made by Messrs. Talbot & Brother
employed to drive iron planning machine drill.
ng press circular and ponderous grindstone so
arranged polish solid bars OF iron In the sn,it,
shop, noticed an ingenious machine of Mr. Rahm's
invention for clipping and drilling iron plates and
in the carpenters shop observed patent mortcne
machine, which performed its work admirably. SO
much for the aborsaving machines of the establish
ment: Now for the condition of the business present
| and prospective. Finding himself cramped for room
and overrun with business, Mr. Rahm purchased a
month since large piece of vacant ground on the
northern side of Cary street. nearly opposite his present
shop and has nearly completed fine brick building 40
feet long, by SO feet in breadth In short time he will
remove all his machinery and fixtures into the new shop
where he will have ample scope and verge enough TO
add to his effective force and thus accommodate all de-
mands for his superior fixtures for tobacco manufacturers
He intends also adding foundry to his machine and
wood shops, SO as to be fully prepared to execute al
orders for machinery in his line
Thus then, in less than seven years from the dav be
started business we find Mr.. Rahm at the head of a
complete establishment valued at $4,000 or ST. 900,
with steadily increasing business Truly has he
achieved degree of success all the attendant cire an
stances considered, at once gratifying and cheering
We have dwelt somewhat more at length upon this
subject, perhaps, than its importance would seem to
city hundreds of young men engaged in acquiring a
knowledge OF mechanical trades, we must be parloned
for holding up to their view, the example afforded BY the
success Of Mr. Rahm They too are to become the ar
chtects OF their fortunes let Them then learn to
rely upon themselves, always recoectng that honest
industry energy and sobriety to meet with re-
ward.