Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-06-19


jed Lake Esq, we paid visit to the
above institution which is situated about
one mile southeast of Winthrop on land
belonging to Mcssrs Lake & Peck. This
factory is the largest of any yet estab-
lishcd in our county, and for the pcrfcc-
ton of its facilities and arrangements for
manufacturing, is well worthy of visit
from those interested in this yet compar-
ativcly undeveloped industry in our coun-
ty. The building is substantial two
story frame, "a feet long and 80 feet
wide. The front or east end of the build
ing is finished off for the occupation of the
family of the manager of the Factory,
and the west end, with a spacious loft in
the second story is devoted to the manu-
facturc, curing and storing Of the cheese.
Water is conveyed into the building
through pipes from a nevcr-failing spring
of large capacity situated u few rods in
the rear. This abundant supply of pure
water, to be had in excess in every part
of the building where needed, by the
simple turning of II faucet, strikes the
visitor as the perfection of convenience,
and marks the site of the factory as most
appropriate. Besides this perfection of
natural advantages, the factory is stocked
with the best appliances for manufacture
ing The watts are heated by steam fur
nished by a small boiler, which also af-
fords hot water for all purposes required.
The special occasion of our visit was the
formal cutting of the first cheese made
in the factory; at the time just 20 days
old. Upon our arrival we were ushcred
into the vat-room where we found the
skillful head man, Mr.. S. II. Williams
and his brother, at work upon the days
supply of milk, received at the factory
before 8 o'clock each morning. The
Messrs. Williams are competent and intel
gent workmen who in eight years expert
cnce in New York and Wisconsin have
acquired skill and judgment in the
cheese making process, which will doubt
less give the product of the new factory
good reputation, We soon had an OPP
portunity to test it. Stepping into the
curing room plastered apartment filled
with racks and shelves in which were
displayed in uniform rows the $50 cheeses
made since the start, the first cheese, made
May 10, was produced and preached. 1t
passed the ordeal of Il numerous company
of tastcrs, ladies and gentlemen. Stock
holders, patrons and visitors, all pro-
nounced it very superior article, even
when compared with an older cheese
from an older factory in Dubuque County.
From the Mcssrs. Williams who are in
tclligcnt and courteous gentlemen we de-
rived much interesting information re-
garding the enterprise. AS before init
mated the factory commenced operation
May 18th, the first days supply of milk
aggregated little over 800 pounds.
New patrons have been added and the
supply of milk has constantly increased,
until on the day we were present less
than Il month after the opening, the daily
supply was Over 5000 pounds, drawn
from probably $50 cows. A number of
families in the vicinity of the factory are
not patrons of it, prefering to await the
results of the first year before venturing.
With good management, and Il prosper
Gus season, the enterprise will be Il sue
cess the first season, and next year these
doubling Thomascs will be found in the
ranks of its patrons. 1t has the capacity
to work up the milk of 1000 cows with
out inconvenience, AS to the relative
profits of cheese and butter, some of the
patrons of this factory have made a num-
Der of careful experiments and found that
100 pounds of milk will not average I'M
der ordinary conditions over 3! pounds
of butter, worth at the highest price 81
CcntS, Wllllc VIC SAINT HIN NIlllcu " tiS
factory will make about II pounds of
cheese, worth at average prices, the cost
of making deducted, about $l.25.
During business meeting of the stock
holders, we gave the establishment n
thorough inspection and observed
with much interest the process of cheese
making. We derived much pleasure and
profit from the intelligent conversation
of the brothers Williams on cheese
topics and when the time came for
returning, provided with huge chunk"
of that cheese, we came home thorough
ly satisfied that we had spent profitable
and pleasant day at the Winthrop Cheese
Factory.