Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-01

4 Visit - the Wentworth Co... wei.
Gardiner.

Inc city of Gardiner is one of the busiest
ana thriftiest places in New England. II i,
iuh OF small manufactures employing a most
desirable class of operatives. Every industry
" now booming; trade is brisk: loafers are
unknown. and the community is prosperous
ana hsppy. 1t is model city While in
GARDINER recently we visited one of its mos,
valuable manufactures, the Wentworth
spring and Axle Company, whose works are
locateo on dam No. on Cobbossee stream.
This Company use none but the best brand.
OF iron and steel in the manufacture of their
goods. which they receive direc. from the
Hills In bars Of convenient shape, and the
process of transforming these into finished
springs and axles is a most interesting one.
Inc great shops, with their intricate and
powerful machinery heavy hammers, glowing
iorges,ponderous grindstones, and swiftly re-
volving shafts and wheels, have a wonderful
fascination for those to whom like the writer
the hum of honest industry is the sweetest
music Last October the Company leased their
privilege on the dam for five years longer; but
such strong inducements have been held out
| for them to remove their shops to Amesbury,
Mass, that it is not impossible that they will
accept. The saving in freights would be a
very strong argument for going to Mas.a-
chusetts. If the Company decide to remain
In Gardiner, they will be compelled to
largely increase their producing capacity, as
they are unable at present to keep up with
their orders. This great demand for the pro-
auctions OF the Wentworth Spring and Axle
Company is owing to the reputation which
their goods maintain in the market. In addi-
ton to their very large New England and
New York trade they bave an agency in San
houses. their goods being on sale in South
America. Australia. New Zealand. Africa, the
Sandwich Islands and other foreign markets.
In springs the Company make, in addition to
the regular styles, the ''Timken,"
Lane Cross" Brewster" ''fIarper,' Sop
penheim and other popular patent springs of
the day; while in axles their specially is the
"Dirigo," which has attained the reputation
of being one of the best finished axles in the
market, and of having the best devise for pro.
tecting the axle spindle. Going through the
several departments we were very favorably
impressed with the system with which the
works are conducted. Every man appears
to know just what is required of him, and to
do his part intelligently and skillfully. About
40 men are employed, nearly every one Of
whom is the head of family. In selecting
employees great care is taken to secure men
free from habits of dissipation and who will
make good citizens.
Sixteen years ago the business was removed
from Readfeld by Mr.. II. NJ. Wentworth of
the firm of Jas. Williams & Co., who had
carried it there for many years.
From small beginnings it has grown to its
present proportions, and the end is not yet.
This year the Wentworth Spring and Axle
Company will produce nearly 300 tons of
springs and about lO, 200 sets of axles. John
r. Richards, who is largely engaged in paper
manufacturing, is president of the company;
David Wentworth is secretary and treasurer,
and has general management of the business.
Eben Corey of Portland, John T. Richards,
Chas. A. Wentwort and Dana Wentworth
of Gardiner; Chas. A. Wentworth has
charge of the spring manufacturing depart
ment; A. J. Hooker of the axle forging de-
department; j. F. Newell of the axle finish
ing department; and A. c. Page is the eff
ficient bookkeeper and paymaster.