Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-10-05
pHSyIs LONG 9 COMPANY.

Ina recent trip TO Louisville, Kentucky, |
va visited the Union Pipe Works Of Messrs.
Dennis Long 4 Co., and we're kindly shown
over the place, Unsil very lately the heavy
o.st-iron pipes used By gas aud water cor
porstions was, slmost entirely, imported
from England. The rapid growth Of the |
towns aud cities of the great West, however,
enabled our capitalists to invest their money
in building establish ments, at home, for the
express purpose Of nsnufacturiug these
pipos, which, it has been found they can do
with profit both to themselves and TO their
customers. The FRS, pipe foundry 10 the
Wes: vas erected sai put in operation about
FIVE years ago, By Dennis Long Esqure,
who was then sXtsnsivsly engaged ic the
msnufAoturs Of steam boat engines and
large machinery generslly,) at . coat OF
$50, 900 But the demand for iron pipes in |
creased so fast that, in 1868, m was found
necessary to have greater facilities for the
supply. Consequently, in October 1863,
the building Of immense establishment
now known As the Union Pipe Works wss
commeuced. These works are situated on
Fulton street, between Jackson and Pres
ton. The lot fronts $50 feet on Falson
Street, and extends back South on Jackson
street 4SO feet. The main building, in which
are the casting pits, 10 constructed of brick
and stone, and measures 2lO feet in length
by so feet in width inside. On the ives.
aide is tho building for ovens and eupolas,
30 feet vide, and the same length as the
main building. ThiI is also eonstructsd Of
stone and brick. West of this again, is the
engine room. On the east aide Of the cast
ing room are the houses for cleaning and
testing the Pipes-vhioh are tested BY an
immense press or testing machine. These
buildings are all covered with slate root of
the very best qsslny-ths trussroof on the
main building or casting houses being in
itself one OF the 6pes, specimens of work
manship in the country, costing for timber.
i-On, aud stating, $4,000. These works
have in operation hve casting pits, with a
Ospaoi,y of ninety tOustdaily; or an average
OF twenty seven thousand tahs a year. AL
the machines used in the casting pits, fol
handling the work, are operated by steam
and tracks and turntables are laid al
through the yards, so - to Lessen the amount
OF labor, and cheapsn the cost Of hauling
ths immense castings. The sizes Of pip,
iha; can be made at this foundry range fron
two inches up TO six feet in diameter! Th'
two inch pipes are made in lengths Of eigh
feet, and ell other sizes are twelve feet i
length, All cas-, on end, in dry sand thu
giving grea, strength, uniform ,hicknesi
aud freedom from scabs and roughnesI
This casting in pits is peculiar alone to tn
manufacture Of pipe. Il can hardly be ur
derstoo1 without being seen. !Some ide
may be formed Of the extent of these work.
aud Of the great care and skill employed i
their erection when is is stated tbs
they have cost, up to this tim
over Sl6O,O00. All the work sboI
this establishment - stone, brick, irol
slate, and all of the mschinery-is of Il
very best character. Over and above Il
superior quality Of Kentucky iron used
the Union Pipe Works, from what has bes
stated With reference TO the works, no oi
can doubt the ability of the proprietors
Messrs. Dennis Long l. Co-to compe
succ essfully, especially in the line of vat
aud gas pipe, with any and ell similar CO
carus in this country, and to guarantee,
they have done heretofore, . quality of n
terial and work, equal, if not superior
the production of any other point, and
feotly satisfactory in price. Mr.. Long, c
of The oldest and most worthy citizens
Louisville, the proprietor and builder
these Pipe Works, some time ago osssoois
-ith him Mr.. Samuel A. Miller, q you
gentle man of remarkable energy and br
ness talent. 10 sddiuon to the mann
pipe works owned and operated by
ecoupSuy, they have an extsnsiVe bis
smith shop running seven fires, and OF
departments Of lesser interest To give
SdeA of tbs immensely Of the concerns
tAblash he'd BY Mr.. Long, We may add
abe capital invested in operating them
about half million dollars, and such is
energy, enterprise, and psrfecs rslisbilt!
the firm that few years will 6nd this c
it.l doubled, and the products of Il
shops sen, to the rsmotest corners of
land. A specially is maze BY theu of
manufacture of cast iron pipe for water
gas corporations. They have facilities
ability 10 fiji all orders in this line,
zuarau tee ell they ship, which is ohsrs'
ss.o of the honor and integrity Of the
and shows their desire to please.