The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-12-27
WONDERFUL WORKS.
Marvellous SkiII-A Lesson In Marble
An Immense Stock that Must be
Reduce Dead and be Convinced.

J
usual demand for monuments or some
other article in their line of trade haG
been made, but on inquiring he was
occurrence. The first thing that at
tracted the attention upon approach
ing the grounds, which, by the way
cover all that space between West
Walnut street on the north and West
Peach street on the south, and
fronting one and a half blocks OF
Colorado street, and one hundred and
fifty feet deep, was two large floats
which were being loaded with tomb.
stones, tablets and monuments, des-
tined to reach even the remotest
towns in Texas. Upon inquiring it was
learned that there is not now single
town in Texas of any Importance that
has not more than one witness to the
skill and enterprise of Underhill &
Co. Texas is not the only state that
has paid tribute to the merit of this
thriving institution of the beautiful
city of Austin, for Louisiana and
Mexico, and more especially the lat
ter, have We'd with her in the pur-
chase of the beautiful and substantial
works produced by this firm. To the
ordinary passer-by the huge blocks of
stone, lying in both front and rear of
the main building, mean nothing, but
to those who take the trouble to in
quire where they came from and for
what purpose they are destined to be
used there is lesson in marble and
stone not soon to be forgotten. To
begin the history, some of the marble
has to come thousands of miles over
land and sea at an immense cost be-
fore 1t is touched by the hands of a
workman, whose duty it is to fashion
it for its last great Office of love.
Hitherto it has only been the instru-
ment in the hands of traders and
spectators by which they could add
a few dollars more to their stock, but
now it is selected by some loving
friend or relative, perhaps father or
mother, brother or sister as wor thy
memento of friendship and love and
an everlasting witness of the loved
one who has passed away. Upon ap-
preaching the establishment of I'm
derhill 81 Co. you can not fail to be
struck by the almost infinite variety
Of monuments. There you see the tall
and stately spire towering above its
surroundings as if it was particularly
fitted to mark the last resting place of
one whose life had been enabled, both
by action and motives, above and
beyond his associates. There too you
can SEGA beautiful square tipped mon
ument surmounted by the angle of
peace conveying to the mind of the
observer the thought that this should
mark the last long home of those only
whose lives had been one continual
of mercy and love. These are
but two samples selected from hun
dreds and can, therefore, convey only
a faint idea of all there is to be seen
and learned by visit to this estab-
Ilshment which we have either time,
space nor capacity to describe. Let US
therefore speak of few styles
Of monuments before leaving
This department and pass on to
the work shop. Among the list
now on exhibition are some beautiful
1ouble monuments, destined to mark
The burial place of two who have been
n life intimately associated. There
ire also the almost numberless designs
If cottage, Gothic and square monu-
nents, surmounted by innumerable |
igures and symbols, each representing
some particular phase of character or |
fulfilling some peculiar idea of the |
person or persons who are to have |
hem erected over the graves of |
friends deceased. There are head |
tones, tablets and monuments for all |
lies and ages, and of every variety |
lnoWn to ancient and modern times. |
Zach and all of which are male out |
II the finest marble that can be had
n the world, and in a manner that |
annot be eXcelied IN the United
states. In passing from that part of
he grounds set apart for the display
If tombstones and monuments, you
irst enter the office of the foreman.
Iere we met with and was introduced
0 Mr.. l.. Bowman, who, although
ute young man, is fully able to
rove to any one who
ares to examine his work that
le is old in skill, though young in
ears. In the workshop we found
bout dozen men, all busily engaged
q fashioning the rough granite or
Marble into things of beauty. This
apartment presents the work in all
Is various forms, and is well worth a
isit from any one desiring informa-
ion on the subject of marble cutting.
We next visited the boxing room,
where all goods are boxed up for ship
1ent. This department has one man
mployed regularly, who does moth
ng else bYt prepare goods for ship
nent, and who has to have assistance
requently. The next step led us to
he mantle room, by which we mean
he room where mantles are made.
II the mantles. particularly, we shall
ave more to say when we arrive at
he store-room. The next visit was
made to the "stock yard" where there
an be found almost anything needed
n the manufacture of marble goods,
rom the rough to immense blocks or
labs of smooth, polished stone. Here
lso we find all that is needed to pre-
are goods for shipment, such as lum-
er, boxes, etc. We next pass
o the tool room where we find all the
ools and material necessary to the
manufacture of anything in this line,
rom the commenest corner stone
+ mile board to the most highly
ollshed tablet. We next visit the /
flee, and here we meet with the
moving spirit of what we have here
ofore attempted or shall hereafter at
empt to describe. Here we see in
ne the Will and energy that controls
undreds to whom many in all
arts of Texas and Mexico have called,
OF in vain, for all that is beautiful
nd substantial in works of art in
larble. All this and more is found
l the person of one whose name is a
ousehold word all over Texas. We
efer to r. B. Underhill. DR.. Adolph
the book-keeper, was BUSH
? engaged in making out bills of
Gods ready for shipment and noting
Gods received. He was interrupted
very few minutes by some one who
Tished to buy, or at least look at
Omething with view to purchasing.
he doctor is a clever effable gentle
IAN and it is amusing to see the var
ETY. of Offices he fills in the course OF
n hour. We will now try, as far as
bility permits, to introduce the
eader to the store rooms and a few of
he many exquisite works to be seen
here. If, however, you should find,
non uicitinor fhn oSfo h1iChnoanf kAof |