Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-09-14
The Southern POrceIaIn Works.


On Wednesday, we had the pleasure of a
stroll through the. Southern Porcelain
Works at ''Kaolih," on the South Carolina
road, six miles from the city. These works
were commenced some years since, butwere
destroyed by fire during the war. I'd ,.y q
Fairly this spring number of the stock
holders concluded to 'begin again. and
push an enterprise, which, properly con-
Quoted, seems to promise much in favor of
true Southern independence. According
ly, the President, Colonel Bullock, gave
the agent and manager, DIR. Schaub, carte
blanche TO proceed TO the re-establlshment
of the works. During our brief visit we
had an opportunity to observe the satisfac-
tory manner in which the Doctor has dis
charged his duties.j.r... sll .t.U lll.g7r
The clay from which the porcelain ware
is manufactured is found in inexhaustible
quantity beneath the soil to the extent Of
hundreds of acres in the vicinity OF the
works. This clay Is of extraordinary puri-
ty, entirely free from sand or grit, thus
saving to the manufacturers engaged in the
business very tedious and costly opera
tion which would otherwise become neces-
sary. From the hill-side, near the works,
this clay is exoayated, hauled to ashed and
allowed to dry before it is. ready for use.
When ready, the clay is ground, then mix
ed with Fieldspar, flint, &C., in different
tubs or watts. This mixing operation is
effected by machinery similar in construc-
tiOn to patent thurns that we have seeii, and
kept in motion by a powerful steam engine,
located in an adjoining room. From these
vats the composition, now of the consist
ency of thin paste or batter, is passed
through selves into the ''slip kiln'--an OBJ
long basin, built of fire brick-manufac-
tured at these wOrks-where it is prepared
for the workmen's hands. +.'"
Thus prepared it is transferred to the
''Pottery Shop where it is moulded into
the many different shapes of bowl and
pitcher, cups and saucerS-in fact, into all
the numerous vessels, which the ware is
so wont to assume while ''clay in the hands
of the potter" For circular ware a ma
chine isdused to ogIve it shape, called a
"gigger," which is operated like a hand
lathe. r...;- ri.....r,-.....,r .,r ,...,..N. ......
% In this shop are employed none but the
most experienced workmen-artisans who
have "served their time' and learned their
trades In potteries, either in the "old .coun-
try" or the United States. Mr.. II. X, Law
ton, the chief potter, is an EngIishman, and
has had many years experience in his ma
tive land. .....a ,..t.r .....-
We were much pleased with the neat and
tidy appearance of the operatives in this,
as well as the other departments of the
mandatory. Two or three young lads
and number of girls were engaged upon
the lighter and palmer articles. ,.i' OF,
The ware is now taken into The green
room" where it remains until such time as
it may be ready for burning the first time
when it is carefully placed in "saggers "
oval-shaped earthenware ovens, or bake
dishes, housekeepers would call them
| These "saggerS" are placed in the kiln,
one above the other and subjected to an in-
tense beat for thirty-siX or forty hours 97Hl
~ One more process and the ware Is ready
for market. This is the glazing" pro-
cess. After the ware is taken from the
first furnace or kiln, it is dipped in the
"glaze "-the composition of which is one
of the secrets of the art--and again placed
in a kiln, where it undergoes another bak-
ing process for forty -eight hours. d 2h7''
This enterprise gives daily employment
to about eighty operatives, the majority Of
them being white men, who are earning
wages Sufficient TO support themselves and
families, and which also enables them to lay
by something for a rainy day slh % -.
| n AS we remarked in the outset the deposit
of clay is ihexhaastibie. Hence itnnis6se'
quantities are being shipped TO other niafi-
tifactories Of porcelait, as wen as to paper
factories. Indeed the admirers Of paper
collars fancy soaps, fine Imported candies
and many other things, SO nice, because
they are made athousand miles hence, have
newer realized that they might be wearing,
using or eating the Kaolin clay which
abounds in such proximity to us. li''' 'hii
The duality Of the ware now manufac-
itured BY the Southern Porcelain Company
is equal to any "Queen's Ware" now made.
The orders from tue North and West are
fattering testimonials IN its favor, and we
have,no doubt that in less than another
twelve month the manufactory will be
doubled in size. ~, s.ler eycd "a, ,Jt,,.yg.