Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-18
Memphis Manufactures.

no equal, and as a natural sequence we
can have no possible competitor, with an
equal degree Of success or profit, after
we have put our machinery fairly in
motion-then all 1--WE need or want is to
show to capital that its employment, or
Of portion of the capital that lies idle
here on special deposit every year, might
be used to great advantage to its owners,
as we'll as incidental advantage to this
section. And from the fact that our pur.
suits as people heretofore have been
planting and commercial exclusively,
our attention has scarcely ever been
directed to the superior advantages pos
sessed by us for manufacturing. Many
persons never stop to think one moment,
but scout the idea. To all such l would
suggest that they read the first chapter
of the book of the prophet Isaiah, the
third, eighteenth and nineteenth verses,
and apply TO themselves. But there is
another class of persons that desire infor.
nation on the subject, and it is only
necessary to show the practicability to
enlist their capital and influence.
To such, who are really the stamina Of
your community, 1 offer the following
approximate estimate of the cost of
buildings, machinery and stock to start
either branch of factories spoken of here
tofore.
First, then, very important branch
of industry, requiring little capital to
start, and not all seasoned timber in its
operations. speak of spoke, hub,
felloe and pillow handle factory, using
principally oak, ash and hickory timber
in its operations. For such an establish
ment the best adapted building would be
three story brick building, say from
twenty-five TO thirty feet in front, with
good side lights, and from sixty to one
hundred feet long, with basement for
boiler and engine, and having good
and sufficient side yard to store timber
and be easy Of access for teams. The
first story to be occupied with, say, three
hub lathes, two mortice and boring ma
chimes two spoke machines, and two
saws-one of these a cutoff saw. The
second floor: two saws, shaping ma
chine, scroll saw, bending apparatus
near steam box, and two revolving sand
belts and emery wheel. The third story
to be used to put the wheels together and
store the light stuff. Office and sales
room in the business part of the city.
Well, now, to the cost Lot and build
ings nominal
Engine boiler. set up..".......-......... ,59U
Requisite machinery, betting. etc.."..'... 3,00U
Stock OF lum Der..,.'... '.'.''" 9,UVo
Cash to pay bands until you can realize
on l,oOo
$4,000
Ten thousand dollars, invested after
you have the buildings, will enable you
to control this market in that branch of
business, and it is q business that pays
fully forty per cent. And there is not
one single item of material required that
cannot be made here cheaper than at
either Cincinnati, Louisville or st. Louis
And it is business that is necessity to
the country, and always must be so, and
which might be enlarged indefinitely
by adding the manufacture of agricul-
tural implements But for this last l
would propose a separais and distinct
establishment-for if experience has
taught anything, it is the advantage of
division of labor in all its departments
In dividing it is far more efficient.
But I will here submit an estimate of
cost of buildings, machinery and laid in
stock of lumber to start a furniture
establishment that would be success,
and be to Memphis in few years what
Mitchell & Mamelburg's is to Cincinnati,
only little more so. First, then, we
want about one acre of ground, not less,
for factory and lumber yard, THE factory,
when complete, to be about 300 feet
SQUARE and five stories in hight, includ-
ing basement, built in the shape of a
hollow square. But at present | propose
to build only one. fourth of the building,
with n view to its ultimate com
pletion. Locate engine and boiler in the
basement, for the ease of getting the offal
chips as shavings to the furnace On the
FIRST floor put planers and saws; second
story, shapers, scroll-saws and tanning
leather; in the third story, workshop;
fourth story, varnish room, warerooms
up town. Now to the cost:
Brick buildings e00
Engine boiler. ready for work...........- oo ooe
Shafting and pulleys lo'Vv
Machinery, saws, iathes. shapers,. pla- -.
ners, etc, etc. all ready for working. l,500
One million feet lumber stock in yard,- lo.5OO
$4,000
Cash 10 nav current expenses till busi- =.
ness pays. low
Or, in round numbers, 900
This investment will pay the frst year
twenty-five per cent nett, and five per
cent. additional every year for the next
FIVE years.
And now, Mr.. Editor, all desre to say
is 10 have some one or ten persons to
take stock and start the machine, and
YOU will find il far better stock than the
insurance compsny's stock. There is
no risk in the enterprise, and It will give
value to your houses, population to your