The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-10-31

nome mauutaclure6 may De Louau ~ tnc sAGt
that infericfna chiaery and second class yerk
mon were not unfrequently used. But sihce
live men have pushed ahead in this great po-
litical and commercial reform, and have en-
tered into an active and thorough COMPETE
ton with the looms Of the east, the people
have commenced looking more closely to
their pecnniary Interests, have arrived at the
conclusion that home capitalists are as
worthy of confidence as strangers, and the
result is that enterprise and PERSEVERANCE,
are being rewarded as their merits deserve.
/ We took occasion, yesterday, to call at the |
mills ofthe Rock Island WOODEN Manufae-
turing Company, and BY the kindness Of |
Messrs. aEggleston, Littlefield, .anduothers,
were shown through this extensive establish
ment, which is one of the most substantial |
and valuable institutions of our city. About |
year ago last April Messrs. Vim. Eggles.il
ton, Fred Weyerhauser, and r. G. A. Denk- |
man, concieyed the project, Of establishing
these wooden mills. After considering the
matter thoroughly, and being quite aware
at the Outset, khsy detesH}ined on%shs expesi
ment. The amount of capital invested was
very considerable. The building selected,
formerly occupied by Buford's Foundry, has
front of 100 feet on Mississippi street, and
l20 on Buffalo street, being three stories in
hight at one part, and two stories the re-
mainder of the building. ah,was admirably
adarssd to the purpose, being capable Of
thogopgh ventilation, and well lighted
throughout. In the purchase of machinery,
some $50, 900 or more. were expended. In
this line, every article was furnished by Fur
bush 1 Gage, Of Philadelphia, who have
gained a wide reputation throughout the
northwest for the superior quality of then.
| hihery-unquestionably the best produe-
ed in the country, and being adopted every
where. BY the lst of June the, build
ings were placed in proper trim, and some
time during august following, the first cloth
was turned out. Mr.. Michael Brennan re-
| received the appointment Of superintendent,
and from previous acquaintance we can
recommend him as thoroughly posted and
| practical man. His experience In this line
| covers. nearly twenty years, most Of which
| time was passed in some Of the most extern
sive establishments of the eastern states
In the various departments, Messrs. Blais-
i dell, Bokoff and Morris are foremen-all
| good men. As might have been expected,
| the first cloth turned out was not of the best
quality, bat high standard was aimed at,
and reached in very short time. To go on
| manufacturing, and paying big prices for
wool and labor, when the prospects for a
paving trade were remote indeed, required
| considerable nerve, but the right men were
at the helm, and the enterprise moved on
| The very best of operatives were procured,
| without regard to cost, and the shelves Of the
| sale department soon began to fiji with as
fine, substantial goods as were ever sold any
| where. These embraced broad cloths, tricot
cloths, doe skins, tweeds, jeans, fannels,
blankets, plain and fancy cassineres, and
everything else included IN such a line
The next move was to show the public what
4
market. Mr., d. Littlefeld was sent ont to
CANVASS the adjoining points, and to give
| the goods an introduction. His efforts were
greeted with success, and a trade was Great
portions. Wherever the goods were
placed before the public, they were purchas-
! ed, and rendered entire satisfaction. Men
who purchased in small quantities on ex-
pertinent, became regular patrons. Their
/ trade now extends eastward along the Chica-
go road, to such points as Geneseo, to Ere,
port, Port Byron, Fulton, Ill. Lansing and Nc
Gregor, Iowa; GAINESVILLE, Wis; Desmoines,
ing our city. Their local trade is also an
item Of considerable importance. Notwth-
standing the fact that their operatives labor
until nine7o'elock each night, thus making
an average of the seven working days to the
week, it is found impossible to FIJI the orders
as fast as handed in. On the contrary, these
are constantly accommodating, but it il
hoped that they will be shortly filed. 1t i.
the intention of the company to put in anoth
er set of machinery next spring, making
four in all, which will give manufacturing
|, capacity no where equaled in this quarter O
4 the country. The number of hands EN-
ployed at present is fiftysfve, which win b,
increased to about seventy on the introdue
1 ton of the new machinery. The amour
annually expended, for labor alone, RICH
here in our city, will approximate thirty o,
forty thousand dollars. This little item vii
give the public some faint idea of the goo
policy Of encouraging home manufactures
i The amount of wool consumed is about %
r 90 pounds per week, of which one half i
. purchased I'M Chicago, and the remainder G
the farmers Of our surrounding sections
. About two thousand yards of cloth, and fou
hundred pounds of stocking yarn are turne,
out weekly. The machinery is propelled b
e a low pressure, hundred horse power engine
!, which was manufactured in this City b,
. Messrs. Buford d Brother, before they ,di.
!. continued their foundry operations, and i
fully the equal, in point of workmanship, Z
any in use on Illinois soil. The entire built
t ing is heated by hot air pipes, thus ensurin
g cleanliness, safety, comfort, and economv.-
!, | TO o;va a dato;iad account of tho