The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-08
PRESENT WORKS.

cover over three blocks, while the flooring
area exceeds over three acres. There are
over six hundred men employed, and the
capacity of the works is about 500 nipple
ments per day.
The buildings are divided as fol-
lows:
Black smith shops-es by 900 feet,
one story high and a ventilator.
Fitting shop-s8 by SO feet, three stories
high.
Machine shop-50x96 feet-three stories
high.
Hardening -sox4o feet.-one
story
Grinding room-S7x140 feet-one story,
Who'd shop -s0x235 feet, three
stories. s
Chilled pillow works -6ox180 feet, part of
which is three stories high.
Engine room-31x50--one story.
Boiler room-40x50-one story.
Foundry-9Ox150. 50
Paint shop-6ox120 feet-two stories.
In addition to these structures there are
the store, offices, warehouse for storing
the articles after completion, and also the
sheds used for the seasoned lumber and
beams.
The buildings are as near fire proof as is
possible to construct them, and are acces-
sible to the railroads running by the place
by means of private sidetrack whic pass
es between and under the various depart
ments.
The engine used to furnish power
throughout the buildings is of the Buck
eye design, and was manufactured by the
Buckeye Engine Company of Salem. Ohio,
It is 525 horse power, and q perfect ma
chine in every particular.
Among the many contrivances for the
safety of the men engaged in the several
shops is an electric signal
This communicates to the engine room
from all the buildings, and by q series of
signals, automatically performed, informs
the engineer that certain trip hammer, or
drill is out of order, and the engineer is
expected to shut off steam, run slowly or
come to stop, as the case may require.
Three immense boilers supply the steam,
and in addition thereto, two boilers pro-
vide the steam for the heating apparatus
which warns the buildings.
The 900 employees are divided as fol
lows:
The forge department finds employment
for $50.
The fitting department keeps rs men en-
gagged during the greater part of the year.
The grinding, polishing and tempering
department gives work to so.
The painting department has about 30
men on the pay roll.
eral processes of work.
The wood department has rs men.
The remaining number are engaged in
several unclassified capacities, but are req
uisite to the success of the institution.
THE TRIP
The party left st. Paul at six a. m. and
started on their journey down. 1t was a
most pleasant trip. every accommodation
which could possibly assure the comfort
of the excursionists was provided, and all
means provided that would in any man.
ner relieve the tedium of the long journey
A dining car was in constant readiness.
and whatever could cheer the heart of the
inner man was constantly ready. The
company proved to be a congenial one
and after acquaintance were once formed
enjoyed themselves in social amenities,
which made the occasion the more pleas
urable.
1t is long trip from st. Paul to Rock
Island and the tediousness of the journey
is bound to be more or less felt, but in
spite of this and the added fact that the
train was three hours late. @ happier and
more contented set of travellers than they
who got off the train last night past mid
night would by hard to find. 1t was late,
and the journey had been long. but jokes
were being cracked and remarks made
that clearly showed satisfaction with the
trip so far as made, and an evident deter
mination to make more ont of the remain
der
The train arrived at Rock Island at 1
o'clock this morning, and although the
train was due at o'clock in the evening
a supper was awaiting them at the Harper
house, which testified the energy not alone
of the Buford Plow Company but also of
the managers of the hotol.
PROMINENT PERSONS.
The party is certainly representative
one and includes among its members the
fk