Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-09-04

proved decided success from the very start;
and not only has all prejudice been removed
and obiterated, but the desire of emulation
has taken hold of even the most doubling
minds, and the consequence is that the "Model
Farm" has already fulfilled its mission, and
by practical and ocular demonstration proved
that farming, if properly conducted, can be
made profitable OIL the so-called worn'out
farms in the South.
But to tell you "all know about farming"
would consume more valuable space, perhaps,
than the information would be worth, and
will close my letter by brief allusion to
few of the more prominent manufacturing es-
Establishments now in successful operation in
this place.
Twill premise by saying, that with few ex-
ceptions, these works and factories were es-
tablished by "foreign capital" induced to this
point mainly by the railroad facilities presen-
ted. 1t is an axiom not to be controverted,
that the railroad is the only precursor of the
development of the wealth and resources Of
State. A cheap and rapid means of transpor-
tation must be provided before the capitalist or
artisan can be induced to invest his money or
labor in the development of a section, be it
ever 80 rich in natural resources, or however
great may be the demand abroad for the man
ufactured article. This fact is too palpable
to require argument, nor does it seem neces-
sary, in this progressive day, to attempt to
prove that all classes of the people are bene-
ited by liberal railroad system-the more
liberal the systematic more numerous the
roads-the greater being the benefits derived.
The foundry and machine shop of Sergeant
& McCauley, which, under their management,
has been in operation two or three years, is
an important enterprise and rapidly taking
rank as 6rst.class establishment The most
satisfactory description of their works, and in
the fewest words, would be to say that they
can make anything that may be wanted in
iron, from grist or saw mill, to plow point
considerably smaller than the sweep" used in
blowing the cotton fields of South Carolina.
They also make the celebrated cooking stove
which bears their name, and of which the old
man Sergeant is Justly proud. The manufac-
ture of cooking stoves in the South, not many
months ago, was an untried experiment, from
which some of Mr.. Sergeant's friends endeav.
ored to dissuade him but he had faith, and
argued further that the process here was pre-
cisely the sams as in Connecticut the
climate could mot affect the mod,ls operandi,
while all other differences were in his favor.
He determined to make stove that would
recommend itself, and he succeeded. Such is
the demand for them that he is now erecting
a separate building in which the casting and
finishing may be done with greater facility
than at present, and without being delayed
by other classes of work. The impression pre-
walls among many that "old metal" and espe-
cially old stoves, are remelted and converted
again into stoves; but this is not the case.
Only the best quality of "scotch Pig is used
for this purpose. The plates of the stoves
made at this foundry are thicker and heavier
than any others in the market, while, should
any piece, by accident, be broken, it can be
replaced without trouble. The patterns Of
this stove are never changed; though as a
"trick of the trade" many makers change
their patterns every few months, thus render
ing itimpossible, it without great deal Of trou-
BILE, to replace broken piece, and compelling
the owner to purchase a new stove entire,
when, if the same patterns were retained, the
damage could be repaired at trifiing cost.
Next, in the order Of the shops visited, I
will notice, the sash and blind factory but re-
Gently established by Steele & Denny. Not
yet in complete working order, this establish
ment employs fifteen skilled workmen, besides
large number Of laborers, and consumes 49,
900 feet of lumber per week. The greater
part of this lumber is purchased in the wes-
tern part of the State and shipped by rail
from Hickory Tavern. As the name of the
shop would imply, all descriptions of sash,
blinds, doors, etc., are made, the work being
done by the latest improved machinery.
The shop of the North Carolina Handle
Company was next visited. This establish
ment is owned by joint stock company, and
is under the superintendency of F. P. Cavanah.
1t works exclusively on handles, of which
25O different styles and patterns are made.
The machinery turns out 200 dozen pieces of
finished work per day. Sixty workmen are
employed in the shop. Six cords Of rough
hickory wood are used each day at an aver
age cost of $12 per cord. This establishment
is one of the few in the State that sent speci-
mems of work, as well as specimens Of native
timber, to the Vienna Exposition. @ .a.
Near the above works is the spoke factory
of H. w. Reed. Only spokes are made in
this shop, of which 1000 are finished per day.
The spoke Of buggy wheel is a simple object
of itself; but in the production Of the article
several operations and much heavy and in
tricate machinery are required. The timber,
after it is delivered in the yard, passes through
eleven different machines before it is ready
to pack for market. Through some Of the
machines it passes with greater rapidity than
do the printed sheets issue from the ENQUIRER
steam press. The tenon, for insertion in the
hub, is made perfect in an instant by passing
through saw and knife attachment, which
moves at speed of 300 revolutions per min.
ute Then the graceful curve or shoulder,
lust above the tenon, Is exquisitely sliced of