The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-11-09

Chances ~ Keo1k1k 1nauDexys 1
Anoxe rHr SAwrsa MnIs.-Leaving the
shops of the Des Moines Valley R. r. Com
pany, with their busy operstors and the rush
of steam machinery, we seek next the saving
mill and lumber yard of Hosmer 4 Co.
Found our friend, ]. B. Paul, upon theprem.
ises, Who rave 10 such facta and figures - We
desired, but upon the mill itself, stiffness and
silence have fallen. The work of the season
is over and the activity of manufacture here
will not be renewed until next spring. The
company did not start their mill until in July,
but while they were at work did large
amount of business. They have cut about
one and one half million feet of lumber,
nearly all of which has been sold at their
yard and shipped up the Des Moines Valley
road. The amount of lumber which goes up
this road is enormous. The quantity that
Hosmer & Co. have sold being only 1.-THE of
it. This mill, when in operation, gives en-
ployment to about thirty men. About the
yard are piles of lumber, lath and shingles,
the remaining products Of the summer s
work. N9s
From here we 90 to the mill of Ford Co.
Found our friend DR.. Ford there, and he
kindly showed us through the entire estab-
lishment from the upper story even unto the
basement thereof In the latter is the fur
mace, fre-proof, and the engine, furnishing
the motive power that runs the various saws
and planes of the factory, and of the saw
mill adjacent. We found workmen engaged
in experimenting the various machinery Of
this, the first floor, and the products of their
labor, broom handles, pump tubes, pillow
beams, and various and sundry articles were
strewn in good order about us. Ascending
to the second floor we found the machinery
which does the heavy work of the factory.
Here are planning machines, and flooring ma
chimes, and the rough material is transformed
into smooth and we'll appearing shape, which
fits them for use in house building. On the
third floor is multiplicity Of saws and planes,
and the ct cetera of machinery requisite to
the production of doors and window frames,
and all similar BODYBUILDING material, which
is the specially of this department. Packing
boxes for the shipment of goods by our city
dealers, form large item in the work done
here. This company employ regularly about
thirty workmen, frequently larger number
whose receipts amount to from $3.50 to $40C
per week. The foreman in chief is Mr.. Fl.
Seymour, an experienced and skilled work
man. Mr.. George Doak is foreman upon the
third floor, and. Mr.. Henry Wagner is Master
Machinist. These are all good workmen and
finely fitted for their places.
DIR. Ford informs us that the company pro-
poses to make an extensive addition to their
present buildings-which are e0x44 feet and
three stories high-doring coming spring
and summer.
Next we visited the Sash and Blind Factory
of S. c. Il S. Carter. Mr.. Carter kindly con
Quoted us through the Factory, which EN-
ploys twelve workmen, and is doing a good
business. The machinery is admirably ar
ranged and in material and mechanical exc
cution the products of this mandatory are
excellent. Mr.. Carter showed us a large
amount of lumber which he is manufacturing
into boxes for the reception of the boots and
shoes which Hambleton 4 Huiskamp propose
to make at their new factory, which will soon
be in operation.
Here is data for each of our city readers to
elaborate various propositions in political
economy which bear upon the future prosper
ity of Keokuk. We may take occasion to as
sist in the process.