The Hickman courier., 1872-03-02
sur Hickman Manufacturers.

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Cur Hickman manufacturers
1t is really surprising, as well as graft
flying, to see the amount of work and
business done by Hertweck, Baltzer &
Co's. Steam Wagon and Plow Factory
Most of our own citizens even are not
aware of the extent aud value of this
establishment. At the close of the war
the members of this firm had local
reputation for making the very best
wagons and plows they were in moder-
ate circumstances, but all of them prac-
teal workmen-not being able to put
up an establishment singly, they COM
bined for that purpose, and for several
years did a good business, blacksmithing
and making wagons, all of which was
done by hand. About two years ago
their prospects were so encouraging that
they concluded they would enlarge their
establishment, purchase all the late i'm
provements in machinery for that pur-
pose and apply to it steam power. They
went to work, built suitable houses, and
essayed to manufacture by steam. Many
conservative people said they were ven
turing too far, aud others thought they
would fail entirely but fortune favors
the brave-they had faith, skill and
manly energy. They began and have
worked perseveringly which has brought
tho rich results choir courage and faith
fulness so richly merits.
Under their old system, their trade
was local and limited They sold only
to our vicinity, aud from 80 to 10 plows
and 20 or 80 wagons annually. Now
their custom extends as far South as
Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana. All
their work formerly was done in one
tenement, now they have four-black-
smith shop, ware room, room for wood
work and paint shop, besides the factory
proper. Then, they reformed all the
labor themselves, now they have at times
30 workmen engaged; they now make
from 500 to 1000 plows and as many
wagons annually, besides they do planning,
blacksmithing, turning, and ornamental
wood work. They are shippihg their
manufactures to points all along the
railroads South, as we'll as to numbers of
towns one the river below here. They
have custom all through our back coun-
try and are filling orders as fast as they
can, and their press of business is such
that they are putting up additional
machinery, constantly; and we predict
still further engagements.
oswALD's FURNITURE FACTORY.
On and near the East side of old
Hickman, where not long since, nothing
met the eye but vacant lots, full of gull
lies and mud holes, now stands the new
Steam Furniture Factory Of Oswald &
Co, their store room and mill house, I
monuments Of the energy and pluck Of
Charles Oswald, the active managing
member of this firm. After the war,
Oswald came to Hickman with little or
no money. and commenced repairing and .
making furniture by hand This activi-
ty. fidelity, and skill, soon secured him
business and success. His attention was
at once attracted to the immense quanti- /
ty of furniture shipped by this place
South, from Northern factories as also
to the increasing demand for it in this
market He found near hear all sorts
of timber used in making furniture, ash,
oak, poplar, walnut, cherry and gum, in
abundance he was familiar with the
cost of making furniture North of US
and after surveying the whole ground
and studying the question thoroughly,
he came to the conclusion that he could
make furniture and sell it here cheaper
than it could be made in Cincinnati and
other places North and East of US, and
that if he could do this he thought he
could sell all that could be made. In
other words, he saw that this was one of,
the very best points to manufacture fur
niture in large quantities, cheaply. lie
at once resolved to commeace the expert
ment But one difficulty seemed insur-
mountable; he did not have the money
to buy the requisite machinery; the en-
terprise was a novel one to our people
and not a few thought it impracticable
but "where there is a will there is a way"
he kept persevering until he induced
capital to back him. He bought the
best improved machinery, erected his
factory, aud began to make furniture At
first it was an up hill matter-he sold to
our vicinity until the demand was appa-
-ently satisfied and it seemed for a short t
ime that his sales would stop. At this :
uncture it became certain that if furni- 8
ure was sold, customers must be sought
'or that would buy it; and the firm com
nenced then what they should at the
first have adopted, a system of adyerti-
sing aud drumming, thus apprising buy
ers of what they had for sale and their
prices No sooner done, than orders
came pouring in from all quarters, so
hat at this time they cannot supply the
demand They have about twenty hands !
constantly at work, manufacturing all 5
kinds of furniture, ornamental wood J
york, brackets, &C. Their business ex l
ends South into Georgia, Alabama, Ten !
lessee and other States. In the Mem
his market their furaiture is very popu
ar and readily sold Merchants along ?
he line Of our railroad, find that they d
ct cheaper and better articles at this c
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