The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-05

ESQ.,, who renamed but q few months, wnen
the firm was dissolved, and he still continued
the business. As time progressed, business
continued to increase gradually, to meet
which, additional facilities were provided,
and consequent enlargement Of the build |
ings made. On the opening of the war,
business in this line received an additional
impetus by the location of the rebel prison
ers on the Island. Considerable casting in
the shape Of stoves and utensils for the quar-
tiers was done at the Vulcan, all oil Whlcn
gave. satisfaction, and secured new Or
ders. In 1864, Buford Bros. discontinued
their Foundry operations in the block now
occupied by the Wooden Mills, and disposed
Of a portion of their machinery, and all of
their patterns to Mr.. Thompson. This val
liable addition required very material en-
largement of the buildings, and the employ
ment of more workmen, business having full
ly kept pace with the improvements, and be-
ing measurably swelled by the withdrawal
from the field of a very formidable rival
As soon as the government had fully deter
mined to erect arsenals on the Island, Mr..
Thompson experienced the benefit of his
favorable location. He was called upon to
equipsthe government machine works, and
it should be source of considerable local
pride that he did it so well, and even obtain
ed the privilege of doing it, in the face of so
much competition from older and more ex-
tensive establishments. The machinery
which he furnished has proven to be of dur
able and efficient qualities, and has met with
the hearty appreciation of all in any way
interested in the matter. AS soon as the
arsenal now completed was fairly under
way he was also called upon to supply it
with columns, brackets, and a vast amount
of minor fixtures, all of which were prompt
ly furnished, and in good style. Almost
from the period of his commencement here,
he has been attempting various kinds of diff
fcult and heavy work, and with great sue
cess, adding to his facilities each time, un-
til at this time, he can equal any work exc
cuted in the western country. He has been
oub AAouht 0Au 90"
mill machinery, bells, brass castings, &C.,
all of which bear favorable comparison with
the work of more pretentious concerns
One OF these engines has been in constant
Cliff for the past seven years, and has never
required the expenditure of one cent in re-
pairs. Another has been in operation at
the WeGien Mills, at Maquoketa, Iowa, for a
number of years, and has rendered equal
| satisfaction. Besides the engine, all the
heavy machinery at the Carbon Cliff Pottery
| Works has been manufactured and furnish
ed by the Vulcan Foundry. We might
mention dozen instances where the Vulcan
engines have been thoroughly tested, and
have met every requirement. This would
| be superhuous. They are rapidly acquiring
| a high reputation, and among practical men
| are regarded as Number One. A more
than usual endowment of inventive genius
| and lifetime of valuable experience, has
enabled Mr.. Thompson to perfect many in
| genious and original mechanisms, too mum
erous to describe, which are all of practical
| value, and being put to daily use. He i:
at present engaged in manufacturing g
ponderous steam vertical hammer, with al
its appurtenances, which, when completed
Will strike blow of over thousand pounds
and will give him equal advantages witt
any foundry in Chicago. At present he i:
engaged in reducing the size of the ponder
Gus wrought iron drills used by C. G. Case
| i Coin cutting a channel through the Rapids
He is taking a ton from each drill, which
work could be done nowhere else in the
western country. His facilities are now sucl
that he can bore steam cylinders fifty inche
in diameter, and turn or bore wheels ffteer
feet in diameter. His other machinery wa
last year reinforced by portion of that use
in c. C. Webber's Foundry, which was dis
continued at that time. The dimensions G
the foundry buildings are as followes
Moulding hall, 80 feet by so; FURNISHING
shop, Is feet by 100, and two stories high
pattern room 20 by so feet, and two storie
high In addition to these, are all the nece
sary out building requisite to a proper col
duct of the business. The pattern house
completely crowded and jammed with moe
els of every imaginable style of work. TIL
number of hands employed will averag
f more than thirty, at cost of over twent
/ thousand dollars year. The best qualii
a ! of iron is obtained direct from Scotland
+ the ordinary, from theLake Superior mine.
To close, Mr.. Thompson has built up pc
manent and highly creditable establishmel
) in our midst, intends in time to improve
o so that it it will not be recognizable as tn
same concern, and having successfully owe
= come more than ordinary difficulties, is e
titled to great credit, and hearty suppo
q from our citizens at large. His foundry is
:. public benefit, and the work produced in
a | viii remain standing advertisement
v Rock Island. May the progress he b
n made in the past, be but an earnest of VIII
s. he will accomplish in the future.