Litchfield enquirer., 1874-09-17
A Visit t0 the sharon Valley Nal. tea6lU uuu cray iron WoFks.

Tho worksAi,oVe mentioned form an- other of our important industries; and
 by no means the least. Situated as 1t is
 in the beautiful vale of Sharon Valley and having all the conveniences for the
 purpose of manufacturing, the competen- cy and efficiency of it's managenent-a these advantages promise glorious busi- nesB future for the establishment. ..,,5.
 The works are about 20 years old being, established by Mfr. A. A. Hotchkiss in 1854 The business was conducted by @ company known as the Jewett Manufac- turing Oompanyt till 1869, in which year the buildings were burned down. MT. J. J. Doyle purchased and rebuilt the works in the same year, and carried on the en- terprise till March 1870. This gentleman's deoease, which occurred during the Spring of 1870. necessarily caused cessation of operations. and the works passed into the hands Of Robert s. Noyess who, it is be- heved purchased them more for aspecula- tive purpose than for the establishment of . permanent mannfactory. During the time the Mr. Moves was owner of the in the present year Messrs. Prayer & Van DervOort purchased the establishment, and immediately on their taking posses sion commenced preparations for renew al of the business that had so long lain dormant. The fire had greatly deterior- ated the condition of the moulding shop, and it had to undergo considerable re. pairing before 1t was in a condition to turn out what may be termed frst-class work.
 A great part of the time, since the date of their ownership, these latter gentlemen spent in renovating the buildings. A short time ago MT. Van Dervoort sold out to his partner. MT. s. A. Frayer, Aad this gentleman is soon to enlarge the b1fsiness, increase the present force of employees, eight, to thirty. and make some other im- pF0vements conducive to the business wei fare of the establishment.
 Tho renewal of business has, it seems, been favOFably encouraged, for the trade at the present time is brisk, it's principal depot being New York city.
 The works consist of three buildings the moulding and annealing shops, pat tern room and store room, and building where the castings are secured and clean ed. The building used as the moulding shop is of stone, with Q slate roof, and is 40 feet long by 38 wide. Adjoining this is the pattern room and machine shop-both in one compartments which is used Turbine water wheel. The anneal- ing building is of wood, 45x90, and con- talns six kilns. The stack or chimney to this building is 84 feet high. The build ing where the castings are cleaned and scourced is also wooden, 26x28, and has two stories, the upper one being used as . kind of store room.
 The work of the factory is principally custom, very little if any being stored.- At the present time the chief articles of manufacture are steam and water pipes and fittings. Mir. Prayer also manufac- lures well curb that has self-dumping bucket, and is neat and tasty piece sof workmanship. It is well worth inspection and as we understand that our merchants, Messrs. Bartlett & Mead, are to have a few for sale in short time, our citizens will have an opportunity to examine the article and form their own opinions.
 There is Q peculiarity in the iron used in these works which may be mentioned. In order to produce good work, iron smelted with anthracite coal must be used. What properties or advantages this possesses over that in the smelling of which charcoal is used, we are unable to say unless it be that is less brittle, and consequently better adapted for malleable purposes. However, as we are not very irOnic. we will not enter into detail of theories which we may not be able to practically substantiate.
 The present condition of the business at this establishment promises a prosper ous and busy future. Mir. Prayer is gentleman whose long experience in the business and industry, mechanical ener- gy admirably fits him for the position he hOlds.-Being more of practical man than is generally to be found in such place, he is enabled to give the works his personal supervision, attention and dlrec- tiOn, which fact may in measure account for his success in the undertaking.
 Before closing we must thank MT. Fray CT for courteous attentions during our visit, and cordially bespeak for him con- tinuance of public favor which he SO rich ly deserves. Times.