Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-08-28

because he has to talk to so mapy pcoplo
during the course Of the day that ho docs it
to aavo himself.
A Story Of Pluck and Industry.
we have heard good deal about hard
/ times OF late years, and moro, perhaps,
about tho "insurmountabo difficulties" at
tending the career of young man, parto-
uarIy working man, who has neither
influence nor capital to back him. A very
pretty commentary On that sort Of can't is
furnished by the experience of two German
boys who landed at Castle Garden, strangers
and without money, about dozen yearu
ago. The story-morc or less closely para
lclcd in the experience of thousauds-is
worth telling, both as an encouragement to
the young and as an index Of the chances
which American lifo offers to the plucky
and pcrsevcripg. 1t comes out in connco-
tion with recent festival celebrating tho
tenth anniversary of tho founding of
novel industry, and the completion of some
extensive factory buildings in tho little
village Of Brockctt's Bridge, II. Y. The
story, os told by lPcHd correspondent,
runs in this wise;
Thirteen years ago-or, to ha precise, On
the llth day Of July, 1866 = Alfred aud
Bruno Dodge, boys Of seventeen and nine
teen, landed at Castle Garden as cmigrauts
from tho city of Leipsic. Their worldly
means were less than ono dollar. But they
immediately sought and found work, one at
his trade as piano maker at 81 week, tho
other as an cngravcr. For threo years
Alfred Dodge, tho younger Of tho two,
worked steadily with N!essrs. Steinway as n
JourncYnnn, md then hc determined to 80
into business on his own account as dealer
in piano materials. He had little capital
and was not twcnty-ono years old. But he
had pluck and industry. Understanding
the business, he concluded to manufacture
piano lettings instead of importing, and he
opened small workshop in Brooklyn, asso-
oiatins his elder brother with him. Sues
sSs snSS fS0TsS Ss end auS h' hpf fsGn hs epgs
fcltings arc made chiefly FROM Sicsian wool
though certain brands of Australian and
mand for them that the agents in New
York have ceased to solicit orders. or
course this has not been easy OF accomplish
ment, for, even in this country, there was o
feeling that nothing bnt European goods
were fit for use; bft now the best piano
makers OF London, Paris and I.cipsc Gin
which The three other felt mannfactorics arc
locatcd) send to Brockctt's Bridge for their
supplies.
When tho Exposition was held at irnna,
Mr. Dolgo arrived there in July only 10 find
that, through lhe ncapacity Of the United
States officials, his boxes were still anrackcd.
Tho jury in piano materials had already
mado their award, hut MIR. Dodge, un-
undauntcd, challenged thciv cttcntion
brought his goods before them, und by
practical experiments demonstrated their
superiority. Finally the gold medal was
unanimously awarded him, though there
was not an American on tho Jury. Tr-
umphs at Paris and Philadelphia followed
as matter of course.
Up TO 1878 piano makers manufactured
their own sounding boards. But ut that
time Mr. Dodge began their construction,
and now supplies all tho leading piano
makers of tho United States, AMI exports
these sounding boards to England, Ger
many, italy, Norway, etc. \ thouspnd
were shipped to London, July S, pud tho
take no more orders until March, 1880 A
largo portion of tho now buildings will be
devoted to this branch, the spruce logs
being saved into planks in tho basement
and thence carried through every process
until ready for shipment. In conjunction
with this tho manufacture Of piano mould.
ings will be carried on, the facilities for
carving being greater than in any other
factory in Tho United States.
Perhaps the thought Which most often
| occurred to the visitors recently was that
oil this had been accomplished duving The
four years of scvcrest depression that tho
country has ever known. 1t was IN 1875
that Mr.. Dodge made his purchase Of the
old tanncry at Brockctt'a Bridge, with ito
immense water privilege 600 horse powcr),
and determined to launch his little bark on
largo waters His best friends tried to
persuade him from tho venture, but as ho
expressed it, ho chad faith in the country
and its future" Now tho buildings hayo
q frontage Of 40 feet, with height OF
three and four storios MIR. Dodge has
$1,000 invested in tho property and
gives employment TO $50 aborers, nearly
all Of whom arc American, and all of whom
are Of tho highest type Of Intelligent work.
lug people. Tho SUCCESS Of these new in.
dustres has transformed onco deserted
village into prosperous hamlet, and though
the village 10 eight miles distant from the
railway station at Little Falls, it is attract.
ing many visitors. Tho Brockctps Bridge
people point to their work with pride az
living proof that even III the hardest times
pluck and brains can forco their way to
fortune.
! Fnrmor1v thn ynoifpra ne Gno.iah Mn mo