Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-13
Granite Tool Mandatory.


About eight years ago Mr.. II. II. Harvey
started tool mandatory shop, at "Petten-
gill's corner" on the east side Of the river. At
| first he was proprietor, foreman and all hands :;
he occupied the lower floor for a small build
ing as shop, while his family lived above. At
that time Mr.. Harvey was an accomplished
workman, having had eight or nine years ex-
perence in the business; the granite tools
turned out at his little shop found their way
to the workers of the principal quarres in the
country, and the demand for htemwas SO great
that the proprietor determined to enlarge his
facilities. Accordingly in 1871 he bought an
eligible lot at what is known as "Pettenglrs
corner" on the east side of the river in this
city, corner of Bangor and Lock streets, and
erected thereon the present wooden building.
1t is OF two stories, surmounted by cupola,
and its dimensions are 80 by 60 feet. The
building seems to be every way adapted to the
purposes for which it was intended. From
thirty to thrtyfive workmen are given con-
slant employment at good wages. 1t is no.
ticeable fact that when good man is secured
his Services are retained. As most of the la
Dor is forging, requiring ponderous blows, it
is very exhausting, physically, and requires
good muscle. About $500 per month is paid
out to these hands. Most of them have fami-
lies and they are all fine looking set of men.
At the present time all the work of manu-
featuring is done on the first floor, where the
power for running the machinery used is fur
nished by fifteen horse power engine and
boiler. Here are two furnaces, seven FORCES,
one eightfoot planer, one steam hammer,
one drill press, one bolt cutter, one steel cut
ter and emery wheel. 1t is interesting to watch
the process of manufacture, from TIE time the
rough steel is taken in bars, cut into junks
passed from one workman to another, until
it is laid upon the bench bright and shining
implement ready for use in the quarres. The
labor Of manufacturing has been considera-
bly, lightened since the introduction of the
steam hammer. The second story, which is
reached by flight of stairs from the outside,
is at present used to store material, but as
the business of the establishment is constant
ly increasing it is proposed soon to enlarge
the facilities by putting into this story lathes
and other machinery for general machinist
business.
While outside jobs are done, the principal
business is of course the manufacture Of
every description of granite tools. 1t is
claimed that they make more Bush hammers
than all other establishments Of the kind in
the country. Every description of tool used
in the working of granite is manufactured.
They use some twenty five tons of iron
annually, but most of the material used is the
very best Of English cast steel, directly i'm
ported by this firm. About one hundred and
twenty five tons Of steel are used annually,
costing in the vicinity of fifty thousand dol
lars in gold. The value of the manufactured
products amounts to between SIS 900 and
500, 900 per annum. All the large granite
workers, such as the Dix Island Co., Bodwell
Co., Cape Ann Co., Rhode Island Co., and
Hallowell Co., use these tools, and they are
sold by the leading dealers in the principal
cities of the Union. These tools have been
in so great a demand, that the sales have
nearly doubled the past year. The senior
proprietor, Mr.. II. II. Harvey, who spends a
portion of the time travelling for the purpose
of introducing the goods, has the benefit, as
we have before limited, of sixteen years ex-
perence in the business. Mr.. George A.
Turner, his associate, is also practical
workman, having had long experience.
They both have personal oversight of the
| :.
the book keeper. 1t has thus been a pleas
ure to us, and we think it may be of interest
to our readers, to notice this local industry
that is contributing its quota to the business
of the place.