Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-02
WHERE JEwsHARPs ARE MADE.
A Family Of Smiths Do All the Manufactur
ing Outside Of New York,

A Family Of Smiths Do All the Manufactur.
ing Outside Of New York.
From the Albany Journal.
The village of Bath-on-the- Hudson, though
its manufacturing interests are few, can boast
Of possessing the only jewsharp factory in the
United States outside of New York city. Simple
as the jewsharp is it requires, nevertheless, nc
little skill in construction.
The proprietor of the factory in Bath is John
Smith, and he has perfected himself to such en-
extent that his work is recognized as among the
best in the world. The factory is small build
ing situated q short distance off Sd street,
and although unpretentious contains every
facility for the manufacture Of jewsharps.
Twenty years ago, in England, Mr.. Smith
began his apprenticeship at the trade. Hear
ing from friends in this country that here
would be found better market for the sale of
his specially he determined to emigrate. Ar
employment and deciding to start in
business for himself he went to Troy
and opened . factory there. He was
but moderately successful in Troy, and after a
short time moved to Bath, built . factory and
is perfectly satisfied with the location. The
New York, Boston and Chicago. These 4 srm M
sell the goods to retailers throughout the
United States.
Whom the factory il running at ito fullest
capacity over two gross day are turned out.
The busiest time Of the year is that Just proceed
ing the holidays. During this season the fac
tory employs fivo people-the proprietor. his
two sons and two other Englishmen, who live
near the factory.
The manufacture of the "harps" IL an in.
teresting process and but few people are aware
of the large amount Of work expended In
making jewsharp of good tone. The frames
OF the instrument are not made by Mr.. Smith.
He buys them from b foundry. Upon these
frames is bestowed the least work; it 10 in set
ting the steel tongue in the frame and filina
that the most care and skill are required.
The first work done on jewsharp is to plscs
the frame in . wise, file of the roughness AND
taper down the points, SO that each side pre-
sents q sharp edge, between which the tongue
is to vibrate. The most delicate work then be-
gins. piece Of steel wire is cut from Q coil.
hammered fat at one end and left round ct Tho
other and tempered with the greatest care, The
fat end is then set in the arc of the frame. and
then the two ends are carefully pressed and
hammered until they come as close % possible
to the tongue without touching.
The round end Of the tongue il than bent in
the form Of right angle. the point is turned
over and the "harp" is recdy to be placed in
the hands of q finisher. There are seven sizes
and four kinds Of hnishing-the common. gold
Sron iaSSaus .c and tin plated; The
the tone high the tongue Is made smsli and
pressed back toward the frame; to make the
tone lower it 10 bent forward. Mr.. Smith II
not only good maker Of the harp, but can ex-
tract quite little music from the little instru-
ment. He can also play two at once, which he
tunes, 90 that they are in harmony, by hling
the frames.
When business L rushing Mr.. Smiths whols
family u pressed into service, and each mem
Der excels In his or her particular work Mr..
Smith prophecies that within . few YEAR nc
instruments he makes will be In more general
use than now. He has once enlarged his fAc-
tory and expects - Do % Grain.