Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-11-21

Eubstantial Testimony.

Mtpfy " enquirer Ii TIC CHE0Hfctes
Substantial Testimony.
A writer in the Chronicle over the
signature of Enquirer" claiming to
want information, asks me some ques-
tions, concerning the wrought iron
wagon. am very glad of this publi-
cation, for it gives me an opportunity
to reply to the Misrepresentation that
are being so insidieusly retailed
through the country.
/ could have appreciated the article
more had it been couched in direct en-
quiries, rather than iil-natured insin-
nations, with the authors name to it.
His failure to come out in bold dis
cussion of such question with his
name to it, forces the conclusion
that he either knew his statements to
be unreliable, or felt that his name
would lend no credit to the subterfuge
have no interest in deceivicg the
public and less in deceiving myself.
l have no desire to engage in any en-
terprise that promises failure, nor
would / try to persuade my friends to.
/ did not undertake the iron wagon
enterprise until after thorough inves-
tigation. satisfying myself fully, and |
have taken some pains in exhib-
ting the wagon and inviting close
examination and open expression
from all classes and it has undergone
the closest scrutiny of the best me-
chanics and experts in iron, which has
only brought to light more aud more
of its superior qualities, and l now
challenge Mr.. Enquirer" or any
one else, to point out single fault
or reasonable objection. Investiga-
ton is what | want and seek. If
there is a single weak point or objec
ton, that cannot be overcome, / want
to know it. 1t is my interest TO know
it. But .'Enquirer's" investigation
is little "too thin" to lead the pub
lie to believe that he is after honest
investigation. | will, however, an
swer his questions and reproduce
the whole of his article.
EDITORS CHRoSIcLE:- Having seen in
the Tobacco Leaf, from time To time,
great accounts of the iron Wagon, will you
be kind enough to permit me through your
valuable paper; TO ask a few simple and
Wagon. ! ask Mr.. Ingram, 1t appearing
that he is spokesman for the iron wagon
factory, which Is strongest wood or iron, OF
the same weight"
There is really no point in the
question. 1t depends altogether how
the strength is applied or in what
shape and to what use the two are
put. If shaped into wheels and
gearing of a wagon, the iron has more
strength and is far more durable.
This is understood by all. Wood
made in wagon without the use of
iron is worthless. There is from
$50 to S65 pounds of iron in the
iron wagon. That much wood and
iron combined in the proportions
common in wood wagons, is not near
go strong as the iron wagon and
more clumsy. Remember that wooden
wagons are generally half iron.
(which will draw the highest on the
team ton OF iron or ton of feathers?
The question has no application ;
loose straw or anything of the kind
bulky, relieves itself by the elasticity
in it and finds the same relief on The
iron wagon as Cd the wooden. Iron,
brick, &c, is dead weight on either
wagon.
(which will run the lightest the wooden
wagon or the iron wagon? 2"
The iron wagon, so say gentlemen
who have fully tested the fact, is
twenty per cent. lighter draught -
their certificates will be found below
The iron wagon is the lightest draught
because,
/ First. The principal weight is in
the motive power-the wheels
where the weight and strength is
needed.
Secondly. The iron wagon runs the
ligbtest because it has a 81 inch
spindle, larger than the twO-horse
wood spindle, and all teamsters tes-
tify that large spindle runs lighter
in mud and for that reason people
in the country prefer the wooden axle
or thimble skein to the common iron
axle.
Thirdly. The iron wagon runs
lighter because it has only twenty
inches bearing on the spindles,
while the wood or ordinary iron axle
has forty-four inches, consequently
the iron wagon has less friction, and
oils itself regularly. There Isl patent
on this axle, Mr.. Enquirer" and
you can't use it in your wooden
wagons.
what was the reason that the iron
wagon, after hauling the one load OF forty
as a house foCr, had to be taken TO a
smiths shop in a secluded part of the city,
and that between two suns, and worked in
the silent watches of night, when II was
thought tn re was none 10 modest or find II
out?"
This is a Misrepresentation, the
wagon was never carried to any shop
and repaired after night. | produce
the statement of Mr.. j. 7 Y. Whit
field, of Whitfield, Bates & Co., Iro-
prietors of the GAINESVILLE Foundry
and Machine Shop. He is known to
the community as man skilled in
the mechanism of iron, an enterpris-
ing upright honorable gentleman
also, Mr.. Julius Boillin. good black
smith, and one of the City Aldermen
elect. was not aware of Mr.. Boil
iu's work on the wagon until since
Enquirer's" article | learn that
these insinuatiOns have been used
to poison the minds of our citizens
against the enterprise by that class of
persons who are always croaking
and oppose everything.
MIR, wHITFIELD's STATEMENT.
At the request of Mr.. Ingram l
will state that the iron wagon was
left at the foundry, perhaps in MAY
last, to have one of the point
bands reset, which was done in open
daylight and the band secured to
its place by two or three rivets. |
saw nothing in the repair to condemn
the wagon. If the hubs are bored
out, the boxing turned and forced in
hy oroSsura apd tho wrnuuht iron