The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-04-12


brief visit recently made 10 the seems Of the
great hre Of January 9Th, which Consumed the
J. T. = IL machine-shops, deeply suppressed the
writer with the vim and energy since displayed
By the Receivers and their many employees, in
making good the ravages Of the Gre, and re-
building the burnt district" The changes re-
Gently made in and about the yards extend con
siderably beyond the rebuilding Of the burned
machine-shops, however. As you approach the
yards from the city. you perceivea refreshing alb
sence Of the row of small tenant-houses which
formerly occupied the space next to, and front
ing the depot and general ofices the same hsv-
ing been removed with view to devote the
space they occupied TO q small ornamented plat
to front The car-works Immediately adjoining
the plat, and extending along the east side of
the yards, nearly to the turn table, stands an i'm
mense new structure intended for car-building
shop for Woodworking machinery, etc, and
which had just been finished when the fire teOk
place 1t is now partially occupied with ma
chlnery Belonging to the machine-shops proper,
which will soon be finished and ready for occu-
patton
The new shop above named was constructed
under The able supervision of Mr.. c. E Parcell,
Road Master of the road, whose talents a
an architect have heretofore been exhibited in
this city, in the design and construction Of the
elegant cottage residence of Mr. W W. Perkins,
which is one of the most thoroughly excellent
pieces Of work of the kind ever done here.
Accompanied by Mr.. J. D. HOLSTER, Master
Mechanic and acting Master of Transportation,
the writer made a most interesting tour around
the yards beginning with the large shop Just
mentioned which is 76 by 1856 feet in size, with
heavy plank floor, fitted with tracks. At the
north end, in separate building, is new IS
horse pow er boiler, supplied with injectors
which runs 20 horsepower engine, driving
some forty feet OF shafting. The engine and
boiler, together with the other machinery in this
building, have been recently purchased by Mr.
Holliser, who was north when the fire occurred
The planer, which we found under the man
agemeht of Mr. Murray, two lathes, in charge
Of Messrs. Head and Tuten, and drill-press,
are all from the Amcs Manu- featuring Company
and are of the latest pattern
Before leaving the new shops we were shown
engine No. T. which went through the fire, and
is now being rebuilt The tender is completed,
and is handsomely painted, rejecting great taste
and skill the part of Messrs CASTILLO and
Ball A new baggage-car nearly finished, also
attracted attention.
Sirolling across 10 the west side of the yards
We found the temporary blacksmith shops, built
in few hours Immediately after the fire. still in
use by Mr. Robert McDougall, the head smith,
who has performed marves of work in his mar
row and uncomfortable quarters. Close by was
new patent sand-dryer, w. w Clark's patent,
for thoroughly drying the sand used in the loco
motives
At tile west end Of the machine shop stands
the brass-foundry, which was badly damaged by
the fire, and hich has received new iron roof
Coming to the machne-shops proper, we find
the old walls all rebuilt and strengthened, and
covered with Porter Patent iron roof, manu-
featured in Cincinnati, o., with ventilator its en-
tire length. The including room, in the west
end, has been covered and in use for some time.
and the workmen just finishing the extreme
east emil OF the roof Next to the mou lding
room is the engine room, with the same old
boiler and machinery, showing scars from the
FIRE but still almost good as new. The 'big
whistle is now IN position, and will soon be-
come The time-piece of large portion of
our population The great lathe for locomo-
tive driving wheels, has been through two
fires, and will soon be again in working or
der The flooring of the large machinery
room is being put down, and that, with
the forge room al the extreme east end, will
soon be ready for occupancy. Great credit is
due to all concerned, for the rapdty with which
everything has been done, as we'll as the thor
ough manner The entire property is now pro-
tected from destruction by fire, by a complete
system of water-pipes and hydrants operated by
large steam pump This is due to the enter
prise Of Mr.. Holliser, who, with his assistant
and telegraph operator, Mr. 7. J. Bacon, occupy
the old office in the yard, which escaped injury
at the fire. These gentlemen have the writer's
thanks tor cOurteses extended
Autograph Albums,
Papeteries Pens, Inks, and Stationery, at