The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-08-13
MODEL WORKS.
Improved, Enlarged and
Reconstructed.
B. D. Buford & Co.'s New
Buildings
"A Description of these Great
PloW Works.

The nfSt Gay OF January 1901 W1tneSScu
the partial destruction, by fire, of the exten
sive pillow works of B. d. Buford 81 Co.,
whose establishment is located in the lower
part of Rock Island.
The same energy and enterprise which
has characterized the growth of these works
from their original establishment up to the
present time, was displayed in making good
the loss sustained to the industries of the
west by reason of the confagration.
The flames were hardly extingaished
about the burning buildings before ar
rangements were pending to replace the
destroyed departments with more extensive
structures better adapted to the growing
necessities of the immense business
transacted by the company.
! In short space of time plans and
specifications were submitted for the
new buildings, which, possessing
the requisite features were approved,
and their speedy construction
entered upon The buildings were pushed
to completion in as rapid manner as was
consistent with substantial work and per
feet safety.
coMMENDABLE ENTERPRISE.
The fire occurred in the most inopportune
season of the year, as in addition to the
inevitable loss entailed by such misfortune,
the conf1agation took place in the begin
ming of the season when the work for the
coming year is mapped out, and the full
capacity of the shops taxed to their ut
most to supply articles for the years trade.
Had no such unforeseen accident trans
PRED, the immense business done by this
company would have enjoyed a decided in
crease for the year 1881. The flames not
only destroyed a large quantity of raw and
manufactured stock, but by the destruction
of the buildings in which the ma
terials were manufactured, rendered
the company comparatively powerless
to meet the increased demands made upon
them by the numerous patrons of the Blu
ford works all over the western and south
ern portions of the United States.
The members of the company with their
characteristic energy, at once made tempo
rary arrangements to manufacture goods.
and in an incredible space of time the few
remaining buildings were utilized, and the
machinery was set in motion. So anxious
were the members of the company to meet
the demands of the trade, that the ma
chinery was kept in motion day and night
from the original start soon after the fire,
until the close of the season. They thus
succeeded in supplying large class Of
their customers, and at the same time gave
another evidence of their enterprise, to
which fact, in addition to the superior
goods which bear their name, is due the
deserved popularity of Bufords implements
among the agriculturists of America.
THE NEW WORKS.
During the early spring and summer a
large number of men were engaged in the
construction of the new buildings which
are to constitute the Buford works, and
before the Indictment weather of next fall
arrives, the new structures win be COM
pleted and ready for occupancy. No pains
nor expense has been spared to make them
perfect in every particular, and the mem
bers composing the firm, B. d. Buford &
Co., win soon enjoy the proud satisfaction
of possessing one of the largest and most
complete establishments of its kind, not
alone in the United States but of the
world.
All the latest improvements and
appliances have been introduced, and
with the superior facilities enjoyed
for the manufacture of the different articles
turned out by the Buford works, their nu
merous customers can rest assured that the
goods viii be finished in style and material
second to none in the country.
THE BUILDINGS
the different departments are in
keeping with the uniform excellence of the
goods manufactured, and are seven IN
number, besides the paint shops, ware
houses, ice house. coal sheds, barn and
round house. They are composed of brick
and stone, built in the most substantial
manner. The buildings cover an area of
nearly four acres, or over block, while
the floor room in the different buildings is
by 2os, 541 square feet. They
are connected with each other by means of
bridges. The different departments are
also united by means of the telephone
which will be utilized whenever found pos
sible.