The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-16
A. UoSoe TO RICHMOND.
A Great PriscipIe Perpetuztsd since 'hs
birth of m Hi.toric CITY.

Great Prisciple Perpetuztsd since 'hs
Birth of an Historic CITY
distinguished writer on one occasion,
after thoroughly excoriating monopoly ana
trusts. said: "rhat individual Is unpal'
donably uugrateful, who does not possess
feeling OF high esteem and deep appI1eosa
ton for every promoter OF honest anu "p
right trade ,.ooI,h |
In the great. universal battle for wealth
and power, man is apt TO forget the deJt VI |
gratitude he owes 20 his fellow-man, unless
he is directly benefited by him. Many
business man has been beneficiary III
great measure of a worthy pubic snt usiI
prise indirectly, and yet many OF lneui l"'
TO APPRECIATE or even see II. NeNerlleIeeSI,
il is true, and not only the patrons Oh SUI
an enterprise, but those engaged even III an
opposition establishment, should respect
and esteem their honorable Zoe. -
Likewise i. this applicable 10 the city ana
to the publc-spirited CITY Fathers ana al
others into whose hands are entrusted lhe
care Of the city. -,oo
An old and established public enterprise,
ssnacially one whose birth can date DaCA
almost 20 that of the Historic Clty D! 'he
lanes. and has gradually grown 10 DC an
establishment (and Of which the city ma!
feel Justly proud IL real Dehen. " 'no
city. and should be so regarded SUN an
enterprise does more than anything else ., ~
advertise the city and let the OUTSIDE Molh
NOV that our CITY can produce such estaD-
Iisbments. besides the mere fact OF anorulnS
employment to 30 large part OF It's cltlZehs'
In every particular such an enterprise ca, Eau
no said 10 consist in the Old Dominion iron
and Nail Works.
This establishment has truly become
land mark in Richmond business interests
and AWAY. exemplifying the motto Oh H
with honest trade, and down with lrauu;
A history of the growth OF TINS Ful!
wonderful establishment IA indeed lhleIes'-
ing. ,.-, -. paue
Isle on account of the great water power,
and at a time when the sounding waters ol
the noble James rushing 10 its destiny sang
a reauiem 10 an old and dilapidated village.
| In was long before the whistle oil the lhi-n.!
RAILWAY engine could be heard, ana lh lne
absence Of railroads the materials Tor the
works were brought down the canal ana
carried across the river IN barges II waS
amongst the first nail factories erecteu III
the United States, and may YET DC justly
called among the first in every sense.
All signs Of the original factory nave ions
since disappeared, and the works have been
considerably enlarged and the location
moved a short distance to better site. Inc
works have grown from small beginning
| tn an establishment Of immense proper
tious. containing two puddle mills, Wnlcn
are daily converting sixty tons OF pig iron
nor day into wrought iron. This iron Is
| then taken to other departments ana heate1
and rolled into bar iron, nail plate anu
horse shoes. H..
thirteen acres OF ground ana e,hpioyl uS
seven turbine water wheels ana seNeIal
stationary engines and locomotives. Inc
| company also own it, tim Der land and saw
mills for making kegs forpacking nails ana
hOrseshOes, of which they use l,OOO 10 NV
per day. The cOmpanys force Is an eA-
ceedlngly large one, ana on its pay-roll ARE
about 1000 men, being probably Inc largest
number employed by any one establishment
| in the South.
Twenty Of these men hold handsome gold
medals. presented to them by the company
in recognition of their long and faithful ser
vice, ranging from twenty-five years ana
upwards.
| Its prOducts are SD well known through
out the country, and have won such repu-
tati0n for durability and excellence III
quality. that comment is unnecessary. The
quality of their goods IL maintained to the
| highest degree OF excellence, regardless OF
the prices at which they are sold. Iheli
trade il principally in the south, put there
are many parties in the North ana west
who prefer the Old DOminiOn's goods TO any
other. and regular shipments are made to
those points While not seeking foreign
business. their goods are known abroad,
and frequent shipments TO foreign ports are
made.
The island on which the works are situa-
ted is an historic one, part Of 1t having been
used during the late war as Held prissn
for Federal captiyes.
Wonderful improvements have been made
on that island since then. Now through
the enterprise and push OF the company. the
| celebrated Old Dominion Iron and Nail
Works, railroad bridges have been built
connecting that island with both the northern
and southern bauk Of the river. Railroad
tracks connect with all points entering the
city, so that car can be loaded at these
works for any distant point without break OF
| bulk or transfer
The officers OF the present company are :
Mr. Arthur b. Clarke, president, who i
universally considered one Of the ablest
and most competent gentlemen IN his Dusi-
ness in the country. He has had long eX-
perIence in the cOmpany's affairs. having
! begun when mere hoy, and by diligence
and more than ordinary aptness has arisen
| by successive steps to the position he now
holds. The superintendent OF the works is
/ Mr.. Douglas Baird, who Is thoroughly ac-
quainted with his position, having just
completed his iifty-second year in the en-
ployment Of the company. lie is ably as
sisted by department superintendent OF
ability and experience.
The general Office and city warehouse Of
the company is 1t the corner OF Fourteenth
and Cary streets, and is connected by rail
with the works. The warehouse consists
of fye.stOry building equipped with iron
racks, elevators and all modern improve
/ ments.
In short, the concern 10 great concern,
thoroughly equipped TO manufacture and
place its good. upon the market IN cOmpe-
titlon with all corners.