Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-06-14
WHITEWATER, June 4th, 1861.

| MEssRs. EJIToRs
I am located for week, per
! haps a month. more or less in this very
pleasant little village Of three thousand in
habitants, characterized by thrift and in
dustry to greater degree than the people
Of any other locality of the same size
have visited in the State. 1t is in fact
thriving, manufacturing town--a sort Of
hive of industry The town is pleasantly
located in the extreme northern part of
Walworth County, On the line of the NJ
& NJ r. r. Unlike many other places,
the principal buildings were erected, not so
much for show as for the real accommc da-
tion Of business. There are large num-
Der of beautiful residences, costing, on a
rough estimate, from three to four thousand
dollars each, with pleasant grounds and
surroundings, rendering several of the
streets at this season Of the year delight
ful for pedestrian excursions, being shaded
By rows of beautiful trees on either side.
There are not many public buildings, but
sufficient to meet the demands of the peo-
pie. There are several good church edif-
ces, and two large brick school houses,
tlas any town might justly feel proud of.
To-day have visited the already noted
Reaper Factory Of George Fsterly, Esq.
These works are located in tie eastern part
of the town on level spot Of ground of
about four acres, enclosed by high picket
fence. After entering the enclosure thro'
'arge gate, the first object that presented
itself to my view was long shed, in and
around which were some 10 or Il men
and boys busily engaged dressing Reapers
in uniform in other words, putting on
the first coat Of red paint. | have 'hearn
tell" Of the red men of the forest, and at
first sight one would suppose these pain
ters were some Of that tribe, for they are
red men indeed, from head to foot, exter-
nally at least. | then proceeded on my
journey through the various departments
where each branch Of the business is car
ried on. The Foundery, the Machine,
Blacksmith and Wood Shop, each present
ing lively scene, being literally filed with
intelligent, sober mechanics, apparently
happy and joyous, affording abundant evi-
dence Of the truth Of the remark of Thom-
as Jefferson that ''employment makes the
people happy
This Institution turns out at this season
of the year from s to 10 machines per day,
and gives employment to about one hun
dred men and boys.
I was informed by Mr.. Esterly. the
proprietor, who IL the way is very gen
tlemanly man, that it was impossible for
him to supply the demand for reapers.-
The prospect of an abundant harvest,
and the fact that SO largo number have
enlisted in the war, on whom the farmers
have hitherto relied for help in harvest,
renders the sale of Reapers foregone
conclusin and an absolute necessity to the
farmer,
These Reapers are all built under con-
tract by B A. Jenkins, ESQ, thorough
going business man Of considerable wealth,
who is now filing contract for 500 this
season. Mr. j. is the inventor Of new
Self Raker which has every appearance of
being just tie thi; g so long needed. It
has not yet been tried in standing grain,
but think there can be no doubt Of its
practicability. It is very simple in its
construction and approaches nearest the
hand rake motion Of anything Of the kind
| have ever seen.
He has store in connection with the
Works, and furnishes Lis men to the ex-
tent Of from one to two hundred dollars
per day in trade, embracing Dry Goods,
Boots, Shoes, and Provisions, &c &c.
Knowing that short communications are
moro acceptable than long ones I will stop
short with the promise, if desirable, to send
you another on several branches of indus
try carried On here not enumerated in this
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