Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-10-28


A Busy ScENE.-On yesterday, wsaried
with a fruitless search for items, We strolled
into the factory of Mr. John z. Deans, and
after thorough survey OF the premises
thou yht that brief description Of ii might
not be uninteresting TO our readers. Mr..
Deans com memo ed business some years be-
fore the war, but like most OF our me-
chanies lost every thing during the Federal
occupancy. At the close of the war, how
ever, be resumed operations with fresh
energy, and we are pleased to see that his
enterprise aud perseverance seem to be
achieving a deserved success.
This spacious two-story work shop is
about 80 feet square, and contains great
variety o machinery adapted to.the work
of producing sash, blinds, mouldinRs,
brackets, cornioes, panels and otter requi~
sites to house Finishing, all driven by an
engine eff so horse power. Here are cireu
lar saws, of various z4s, wb irliHg as fast
as thought, cutting timber to the desired
length and breadth, and here are planning
machines for surface work,or for tongueing
and growing.
This ingenious apparatus 'ttis scroll saw,
which under the manipulatioIs of skill-
fsl workman rapidly Transforms plain
timber iuto graceful mouldings, as brackets
o. 1ernices, specimens and patterns Of
which abound IL great variety. 1t is pow
engaged, however, in cutting out backs
fer pew asats
:, Here are shaping machines for working
irregular surfaces, machines fer resawing
lumber, ant huge steam lathe which does
all the turning oftbs establishment.
This whirring apparatus is moulding
machine, and while We stand surveying it,
sundry pieces of lumber have passed In at
oue end, coming out at the other, neatly
rounded.
A sticking machine panels oors faster
than = seore of carpenters could do the
work, and this morticiug machine chisss
out mortices with rapidity only equallsd
by its accuracy.
All is buzz, and ~hirr, and chatter, and
for the sake of our ears e rejoice to escape
into the carp enters room, where number
of men are busily engaged in putting to>
gether the separate parts Of the work as it
comes from the machinery. From thence
we ascend to the finishing room where the
last touches are ling put to the work and
sand paper and other polishes are in de-
mand.
We next visit thesteam room where the
timb,r is steamed. and lastly inspect the
lumber yard and store room, the first Of
which contains large quantity of lumber,
and the last is we'll filed with sash, blindH
panel doors, mantle pieces, and great vas
Iiety ofornamentalscroll work.
The lumber used is chiefly white and yell
low pine and poplar, the former being alto
gether used for sash, doors and blinds.
Some walnut is also used for fine work.
Many of the articles turned out by this
factory ars sold in North Corolina and
large share is consumed by Norfolk and this
city. The average force employed by Mr..
d. 10 about thirty man, although this num-
Der 10 sonnet imss exceeded during the busy
season.
Ofths benefits resulting from such indus
trial enterprises 1t is needless to dilate for
they are familiar to every Thoughtful man.
Would that our city hada hundred factories
each giving employment to as many indus
tIious men.