The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-29

\
N$the industries of Roanoke.
III Tho great bridge at Radford is ono of
its most important pieces OF work, and
MOI tho builders of this bridge the Rad
ford Enterprise says:
2F To say that tho American Bridge and
and Iron Company, OF Roanoke, Va, is
3Epne OF the most important and progress
i jsive industries to DO found in the South,
and at the same time ono Of the young
#fest, is to convey no light compliment.
II 1t is truth which means that por-
ftion of the influx of brain and capital,
81 which has stimulated tho abundant re-
s. sources of this richly endowed land to
wonderful activity has designed and
put into being an enterprise whose plan
q was admirably conceived and most in
y telligently executed. The Importance
. Of,this vast section, developing with
magical rapidity, of such an immense
Baron and foundry establishment as this
q ,ompany have in operation, cannot be
#exaggerated. 1t furnishes tho bridges
4 which support tho railroads which push
h into natures vast mineral storehouses
N ,and bring out the iron orc.
n 1t then furnishes the furnaces which
n smelt the orc and mako the iron and
tlthen casts, rolls and forms the iron into
AtevcrY conceivable shape. Desiring to
get an unvarnished account OF the size
and Importance Of this concern whose
y name and fame is rapidly and surely
G,growing, the latest and perhaps the
n most striking evidence Of its work in
d this section being the Radford Steel
Bridge, the Enterprise sent representa-
tive to the extensive works Of the COM
pany in the city of Roanoke TO secure
u some facts upon which to base Il dcscrp-
" ton of its plant.
Perhaps half mile cast of the rail
froad station at Roanoke arc tho works
\ of tho company, located in Il nest of
1, manufactures, which look from the rail
road like miniature pittsburg
/ dln the Office of tho company is the
counting room and Offices of Mr.. Chas.
Z g. Wentworth, civil engineer and vice
president and treasurer Of tho company,
and Mr.. Jos. l.. Hunter, mechanical en-
l. ginecr and superintendent of the works.
e The second floor is entirely devoted to
draughting work, and the mum Der of in
tricate plans and diagrams drawn with
that beauty and skill only acquired by
men Of long experience are most be-
wildering.
Mr.. Wentworth is keen and thought
= full appearing man, not old in years, but
with knowledge of and passion for his
profession rarely equalled. Mr.. Hunter
hst tin1 Hoh
in manner, yet practical mocha mic and
excellent executive officer. No two men
y cve- more clearly indicated their special
ttneSs FOR their respective positions
and to this happy combination Of ability
the success OF the business is largely
due.
"a the large yard through which one
+ enters the main bridge, one sees an i'm
mcnse travelling crane with n span of GO
feet, whose immense timbcrs will raise
i so tons. About the tracks on eithor
hand rest immense Orders and bridge
work awaiting shipment.
\ The main bridge shop is 2l0x75 feet,
in connection with which is tcmplct
shop whose dimensions are 7Ox2O. The
main bridge shop is n substantial struc-
turc filled with improved machinery for
the many processes incident to the
manufacture of the many designs in
iron work which are made by the com
!. pany
> Tho foundry is 125x5o feet and is
thoroughly equipped. An additional
cupola is now being put in to meet the
necessities of tho constantly increasing
business.
J. a magnificent now building is the
machine and blacksmith shop. 1t is a
frc-proof structure, being built entirely
of iron, and is 1GOx5O centre span
with lean-tO of two stories with %
feet span. In this commodious building,
gigantic looking machines are being
located. One huge horizontal boring
machine, costing some $4,000, is tho
latest device of its class and machine
OF the utmost utility. On the upper
floor in the wing has been built a pat
tern room where the accurate and
pretty appearing models for castings
are to be made.
BESIDES the principal buildings al
ready described there are q number Of
minor buildings, among them are
boiler house and engine house oOx3O
feet, supola house and brass foun-
dry. The companys plant gives work
1 to 500 mon.
While general machine and foundry
business, in it's various branches, is
= conducted by the American Bridge and
Iron Company, its specially in bridge
building. The difficult engineering
problems presented in this work, the
many nice and intricate questions in
volved in the construction of this cx-
tremcly important industry in this
mountainous country, have been net
by the exercise of rare skill and unusual
engineering ability upon the part of
Mr.. Wentworth and associates, and
their success and competency as bridge