The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-09
Che autland Daily 6lobe,
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 0, 1878.
bennington.
A. u, VALENTINES MILL.

spoke briefly Of this mill, of which we now
propose to give a complete account
In 1924, Joel Valentine, Esq, establish
ed wooden mill in this village where for
several years he carried on quite a custom
business. In 1886 this mill was destroyed
by fire and his business was resumed in a
temporary building, where he remained un-
I'll 1910, when he erected part of the mill
now used by Mr.. Valentine as n knitting
mill. The part then built was of brick, IS
by 3d. and as was the custom in those days
the building was thoroughly built. He
continued in this mill until 1861. when,
being well advanced in years lie retired
from business. In 1866 the present pro-
prietor purchased the property and has
continued to build onto and improve it, UNI
til now he has fine brick mill, the main
part beng III by so feet, with an addition
on the north side go by 30, all being three
stories in height, making it the largest mill
in the state, and equalled in size by only a
few in the country. 1t is a full six-set mill.
| Ott 10 ouI)llllNN WIN uIlSItIS anu
enough for full sevcn-sct mill, at which
capacity it is worked. 1t gives employ
ment to 100 hands, 25 sewing machines,
and its average production is 80 dozen per
day ladies white cotton and wool (merino)
vests and drawers.
The power used is water, for which pur-
pose there is 80 horse power turbine wa
ter wheel. The building is heated by steam,
a large tubular boiler being provided ex-
pressly for that purpose, which is placed
in boiler room surrounded on all sides by
a thick brick wall.
The artificial light is furnished by kcro-
senc oil. (Mr. Valentine has just had his
mill pipcd for gasoline, but on account of
the late disaster it will not be put in. )
Every prccaution possible has been taken
in case of fire Every room is supplied
with fire cxtingushcr and hose is found
in abundance
The total cost of the machinery in the
mill was about SOL 900, the building and
land S2S, 900 in addition to winch yearly
expenditure of S135,000 is required for
stock and labor Tho machinery, with the
exception Of the knittcrs, was from Davis
and Furbcr, North Adams, Mass, and is
considered the best made in this country
The hands employed in the mill are
classed as follows Ovcrsccrs who receive
from SO to 81 day; ovcrsccrs who receive
So per day; tho common laborcrs being
paid $50 per day boys and girls earn
from 70 cents to S1.25 per day the scam
'rs make from sligo TO Sl.T5 per dnv, al
though there are those who make more
than that according to their skill and abil-
ity.
The scanning room, in which are en-
ployed about fifty girls, is superintendent
| by Miss Emma Bowley, who has held that
/ position since the mill was started, and
who is known as one Of the best in town.
/ There are several at present employed there
who commenced when Mr.. V. took DOS.
session.
Everything throughout the mill is ar
ranged with an eye to economy of labor
The ground floor of the wing on the north
side being used for washing, bleaching and
drying room; the second tor picking
room; the third for spinning room. In
the main building the thild floor is used for
a spinning room the second for carding
and knitting rooms; the first floor for fin
| ishlng or scanning room. Every floor is
nrnyiIq1 with 4
water for washing and drinking purposes.
making it unnecessary for any person to
leave their room during work hours, which
In the course of year saves much time.
The rooms are all well lighted, kept neat,
and everything is always found in Its prop
er place, and it is the intention of the pro-
prietor to make everything cheerful and
pleasant for the hands employed there
chromos, paintings and cngravings are
hung freely around the rooms. Among the
many things that particularly attracted our
attention was the press in the finishing
room, which is one of the best in use. 1t is
composed Of twelve (hollow) iron plates,
connected with each of these are two small
iron pipes Zone for water, one for steam.
Before the goods which are to he pressed
are placed between the plates, steam s let
on and they are thoroughly heated and the
goods being placed between them they are
pressed together by power 1t is double
screw press, but differs from those mostly
in use, from the fact that instead of the
screw turning ii is stationary, the nut turn
ing. To cool the plates water is run through
them which is great advantage in hurry
ing times.
Our attention was also called to his dry
ing machine. of which we can only say.
that it is an ingenious and novel plan for
dryng-it being done by steam and one
that will come into general use.
One of the plans that has contributed
much to the great success which Mr.. Val
entine has achieved, is the fact that as he
makes only one class of goods, he has
adopted plan of his own in relation to
cutting his goods before they are washed,
secured or dried, (this plan has been adopt
ell by one other mill in town, thereby
saving much time and labor, and also hav-
ing the goods clean while in the process of
making.
Another policy is to manufacture all of |
the goods on the ground, and under his
own supervision, thus giving his customers
the benefit, in accordance with which he |
has just arranged for the manufacture of |
his own boxes, of which he uses 40, 1000 per
year, aud will also soon make his own |
cases.
The private Office Of the proprietor is the |
finest in town, being 16y20 feet in size.
The walls are covered with frescoe paper,
with red and gilt border, and chestnut and |