The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-09-26
Donaldsonville Ice Factory.
Successful Inauguration of an Ilnportan
Enterprise-The Best Ice-Making

Successful inauguration of an Important
Enterprise-The Best Ice-Making
Machine yet Invented.
The Donaldsonville Ice Factory, owned
and operated by Mr.. Henry Cook, ST., of
this parish, assisted by his sons, Henry, Jr.,
and Charles, is now in complete working
order, turning out fine quality of clear
ice from muddy Mississippi river water put
through process of distillation that frees
it from all impurities and renders it as linn
pid and clear as crystal. The admirable
machine in use at this establishment was
invented and patented by Mr.. I. L. Ran
kin of Quenemo, Kansas, and manufactured
by the Reading Iron Works of Reading.
Pa, one of the largest and most reputable
establishments Of its kind in the country.
The strength, simplicity and efficiency of
the Rankin machine give it a leading posi-
ton among apparatuses for the manufac-
ture Of ice, and Judging by the one now in
operation at this place, we are disposed to
coincide with the opinion of the host of ex-
perts who regard the Rankin machine SUI
perior to all competitors. The one pur-
chased by Mr.. Cook has a capacity of from
four to five tons per day. The pipes are all
extra heavy, the joints frst-c class and per-
fectly tight, there having been no trouble
whatever from leakage, which is an almost
inevitable drawback to The work of starting
new machinery. None of the parts are en-
closed, and all being visible, can be readily
inspected and operated by any one having
even an ordinary knowledge of machinery.
An evidence Of this advantage is furnished
by the fact that the apparatus in the Dom
jacksonville factory has been running salts
factorily and without a hitch under the SUI
peryision of Messrs. r. 81. Thatcher and
| Charles Cook, neither Of whom had ever
before turned a valve on an ice machine.
A temperature of ten degrees from zero is
easily secured, which is as low as can be de-
sired for producing good quality of ice. A
| point still lower can be reached, but is not
needed. Mr.. Cook is highly pleased With
the apparatus, and praises the manner in
which the Reading Iron Works and Mr.. Ran
kin have fulfilled their contract with him.
This factory is undoubtedly one of the
| most important institutions ever established
here. It keeps at home capital heretofore
sent abroad for the purchase Of Northern
ice annually, provides means for supplying
promptly and economically the constantly
| increasing demand for an article that has
grown to be regarded more of necessity
/ than luxury in our semi-tropical climate,
| and affords steam power that may be util-
| lied for private benefit and public good IN
| other directions. No town should be with
| out such factory. Mr.. Rankin leaves us
! in few days to visit Plaquemine, La, La
grange and Denison, Texas, and several
other points where the establishment of ice
factories is contemplated. He is thorough
business man, an extremely clever gentle
man, and has a machine that can not be ey-
cellcd in the rapid and economical produc-
ton of ice.
We had contemplated giving q brief de-
scription of the boiler used for generating
steam at the Donaldsonvile factory, but
lack of space compeis US to defer it to q fu,
ture issue.