The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-08-08
Villas 4 cos WOODEN MILL.


and we stopped fey an hour or so. We
found everything moving in that ener-
getic way which plainly tells of nerve,
perseverance and enterprise. There has
been great difficulty in getting machinery
in fact it is not all received veto put
the factory in perfect working order, but
though this has retarded, it has affected
the great enterprise in no other way.
We found all the departments of the mill
! either in active operation or ready to
commence, and we were greatly surprised
to see the advance that has taken place
in this kind of machinery during the last
ten wears or so. We do not claim very
extended knowledge of mechanics, but
any one with half an eye, could not fail
to observe much that is interesting and
instructive. The machinery is entirely
new and Of the latest and best invention,
has been placed in position by careful
and experienced workmen and it is
thought will do the very best of work.
As this mill is the first of the kind erect
ed in the county, and As its want has
been deeply felt, we propose to give our
readers an extended account of the differ
ent stages through which wool passes
before it comes out whole cloth. The
wool is purchased of the farmer-many
of whom in this county have commenced
to raise sheep since it has become a GER
tainty that they can dispose of their wool
to good advantage-and finds its way inn
mediately to
THE FIRST FLOOR.
Here We find the steam apparatus, a COM
mon steam boiler about twelve feet long,
which supplies heat for the whole build
ing, and by the use of pipes, heats water
for washing and dyeing purposes. The
wool is here washed by very simple yet
thoroughly efficient process which takes
every particle of dirt out of it. Then
with pulleys it is elevated to the fourth
floor to be dried We next find it on
THE SECOND FLOOR.
A wool picker tears it to pieces and
blowing process takes out all foreign sub
stances. 1t then goes through three
carding machines, which we will not at
tempt to describe; we can only say they
are real beauties in themselves and
show most clearly the triumph of the
human mind over inanimate things. AS
it leaves the last of the three it is in the
form of rolls or very loosely twisted yarn,
and is ready for the Spinning Jack of
40 spindles which stands handy by.
This too, is one of those intricate pieces
of mechanism of which we cannot give
the reader any just conception 1t must
be seen to be understood Suffice it to
say the work for it to do is the same as
that which the old fashioned spinning
wheel had to perform, but imagine 24O
old women all spinning as for their lives
.conceding their ability at spinning yarns
and you will not see one half as much
yarn as one man turns out with this Ia
nous Jack. When the bobbins are full
of yarn, or warp, tLey are taken from the
spindles to tue Warper, which is about
the same as an immense reel. and wound
off and put in shape for the Looms
There are four of these of the
most improved pattern, one of
broad width for blankets. We
saw but one of these operate, and we con-
Guided we wanted pair of trousers
off from some of the best cloth the thing
can make We believe in ''home manu-
factures,' yea, verify! Well this warp
gets warped into cloth about the time it
gets through the loom and then it returns
to the first floor where it undergoes the
finishing touches. A stone Pulling mill
of new order makes it thick and comfor-
table, a teaseling gig gives it an awful
scratching, a shearer cuts off the wool
and leaves it smooth, Pressing machine
which takes in 500 yards gives it an aw-
full squeezing and leaves it ready for the
trade. Thus we have hastily and imper-
tectly sketched the course which wool
takes after it leaves the back of one animal
till it is ready for the back of another
1t is wonderful transition, and re-
quires to effect it the outlay of large sums
of wealth aud the product of great minds
after years of study. 1t is very pleasant
to larry amidst this whizzing, buzzing,
rafting tide of industry. 1t is pleasant
to consider that the Manitowoc river is
here made the servant which performs
the work that it once required a thousand
busy hands to perform
That this wooden mill will be grand
success financially and as stimulant to
the industry of orr county, We think
there is no shadow of doubt. 1t has
seemingly every advantage. Its
power is an eleven foot fall of
the whole of the Manitwoc river
1t has a splendid factory building. and
that it will have plenty of wool is assured
by the fact that on its third floor there is
now stored over 10000 lbs of that article.
Another year the firm contemplate put
ting in a second full set of machinery in
this storeroom. Mr.. Fellows OF the firm
of Villas & Co. is general overseer of
this business, going out early in the NOR
ming and returning in the evening. On
the first floor Mr.. Chas Reed, gentle
man OF twenty-five years experience, has
charge of the finishing and dyeing de-
partment. On the second floor Mr..
Thomas Robinson, who has had sixteen
years experience, is foreman of the card
ing. spinning and Weaving denartments