Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-10-07
The windmilIs of Rhode Island.

One ofthe many pleasing objects pre-.
senting themselves to the eye in the
numerous fine drives from Newport to
the other two towns--Middletown to
Portsmouth on the same island, are the
old-fashioned windmills. They may
truly be called old-fashioned, not only
on account of the antiquity of this
method of grinding grain, but also be-
cause of the venerable age of the struc-
lures themselves. Most prominent
among these is the Old Stone Mill,
built two hundred years ago by Cover
nor Arnold, which has so absurdly
been made TO DO duty as relic of the
legendary visit of the Mortimer TO
Newport. The Governor mentions
this structure in deed of land adjoin-
ing its site, ard he evidently built it
after the model which he had seen near
ms own birthplace in England, which
is still in active working order. Doubt
less many grist was, in years gone
by, ground within this rootless relic.
The lack of running streams, tidal or
otherwise, on the island, compelled
the first English occupants of 1t to have
recourse to this method of manufacture
ing their breadstuffs. 1t offers pretty
fairly balanced comparison of facilities
and costs with the HSe of water power.
There are eight of these windmills on
the island besides Arnold's, seven of
them doing active duty when the ele-
ments are favorable to their operation;
the view of them in motion is very
agreeable, though horses are very apt
to be frightened by the sight of their
expanded wings. The one nearest to
Newport is on the edge of Middletown,
TO the west of Paradise road. This was
built and originally set up at 1iverton
more than hundred and twenty-five
years ago. Its substantial oaken tim
bers, which OF course, have been often
recovered, are as hard as iron. Such
structure needs to be very strong, or
else the wracking which a stiff wind
gave to its sails would soon tear it TO
pieces. The main timbers and cross
timbers are firmly stayed, so as TO allow
nothing more than that apparent work
ing which is felt on miG-ocean In the
best built wooden, or even iron ships.
The neither milestone is set about eight
feet from the floor, so thoroughly Sc
70 no 70 N
tion. A windlaSS arrangement draws
up supply of corn TO feed the hopper,
and flights of steps go to the tor to
facilitate the oiltng OF the machinery
aud the regulation of the movement
Another external wheel sets the sails
or fans to the wind, the sails being eX-
panded or drawn in by rope gearing
The horizontal revolving shaft is con-
nected with a perpendicular one, to
which is firmly attached the upper
milestone. OF course the power and
capacity of the mill for work depend
upon the force OF the wind. If this be
tempestuous and gusty. it is not safe
to allow It's operation. A force of at
least ten or twelve horsepower is re-
quisite for grinding hard Indian corn
into fine neal, but feed may be manu-
tactured with somewhat less force.
Twenty-Five bushels of fine meal is
fair product of the mill for one day.
Seen at a little distance, the huge fans
turn gracefully in apparent silence, as
if in harmony with the z9phyrs. But
when one sands Immediately under
the shadow of the structure there is
majestic sweep in them attended with
a corresponding sound, not exactly
noise, and one is made to imagine what
would be the effect on his body OF
skull, if he stood in the way. Yet the
required momentum seems to be less
than than that of machinery moved by
steam or water power.