The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-17
WELCOME, CLOCK WORKS.
Possibility of the Location OF a New
Industry in Rock Island-.-ln-
ducements Offered.

For some time past President Fergu
son, of the Business Mems association,
has been corresponding with eastern cap>
italists concerning the possible location
in Rock Island of clock works. which
would add greatly to the industry and
has been indirectly alluded to in these
columns before. Mr.. Ferguson has been
asked for information pertaining to the
railroad and shipping facilities IF the los
calIty, the kind, supply and cost of fuel
used in factories, the water supply and
cost, the supply of hard and soft lumber
condition, the schools and churches,
character of the city and neighborhood
for enterprise, etc.
The main interest of the company is
centered at New Haven, Conn, all exist.
ing companies in the line of manu-,
facture being in Connecticut. Under
the improved process the cost of produc.
ton is greatly reduced The location of
the works in the west will add advan-
tages in the way of the proximity of the
largest markets west and south, and lessen
cost of living of labor and of materials.
The company will employ skilled class
of labor, the ma or part of which will be
brought from the east and will therefore
bring desirable addition to the popula-
ton of the city il it should be selected.
A representative of the firm will be in the
city the latter part of the week, and los
cation will be selected in the next sixty
days, the erection of buildings will be be-
gun at the earliest possible day thereafter
and the new and special machinery cons
pleted by the time the buildings are ready
for it.
The industry which proposes to locate
in the west, is now confined to the east,
with the exception of Two companies in
| this state, but these being of other lines of
the manufacture. They are the companies
at Elgin, Springfield and Rockford, which
were in the east before being profitably
established in the west. The new COM
pany does not propose manufacturing on
Il competitive basis with existing compa>
nies; it has secured control of process,
which with it's special machinery and
tools and resultant product, is fully GOV
cred by recent patents.
| The company will start with a capacity
of 1000 finished clocks pei day-an ayers
age capacity, but not as large as the New
Haven Co, the Ansona Co., the Seth
Thomas Co., and the Waterbury Co.
Capacity will be increased and catalogue
| lines added to, as the business warrants.
1t will employ an average force of 1870
hands the first year. The capital stock
will be $3.50, 900. The company is made
up, but not incorporated waiting to
know where it will locate before securing
a charter. A building site of two or
three acres is necessary to fairly provide
for future growth. The first buildings
will be two, each about seventy five by
| two hundred feet and two stories, Plans
are being prepared. Machinery and tools
are being made at Newark, N. J. The
management will DO IN the hands Of clock
manufacturers of experience. The mas
jorty of the company are interested in or
connected with some of the old compa-
mics. A limited amount of the stock
-$35,0 900 to $50, 00O- will be offered for
subscription wherever the company 10.
Gates. for two reasons: there will be
about that amount untaken and it will
need the entire capital paid in to carry
out its plans, and 1t is deemed advisable
to have the community in which it settles
closely interested in its success
Bailey Davenport has agreed to donate
two acres of land suitable to the purpose
of the new industry between Ninth and
Eleventh streets to deliver coal at reasons
able figures and to lay switch from the
Rock Island & Milan road to the build
ing. There is water main within two
blocks of this site. If Rock Island gets
the clock works. soldiers home and above
all, the Hennepin canal, the city will
fairly hum with prosperity.