Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-09-19
WHERE Iews4ARps ARE MADE.
A Family of smiths DO An the Manu-
featuring Outside OF New York.

featuring Outside Of New York.
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 iewsharp is, 1t requires. nevertheless.
no little skill in construction.
The proprietor Of the factory in Bath
r. John Smith, and he has perfected him
self to such an extent that his work is
recognized as among the best IN the
world. The factory is a small building
situated short distance off Third 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 Hearing from friends IN this
4 country that here would be found
I better market for the sale OF his spe-
I cialty, he determined 20 eInigrate. Ar
i. irving in New York he failed 10 secure
I EMPLOYMENT, aud deciding 10 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 10 Bath, built
a factory and is perfectly satisfied with
the location The Smith Jcwsharp Is
sold principally to firms IN New York,
] Boston and Chicago. These firms sell
/ the goods TO retailers throughout the
/ United States.
When the factory is running at its
fullest capacity over two gross IA day are
turned out. The busiest time OF the
year Is that just preceding the holidays.
During this season the factory employs
five people-the proprietor, his two sons
and two other Englishmen, who live
near the factory.
The manufacture of the "harps" is an
interesting process. and but few people
are aware OF the large amount of work
expended in makinga jewsharpof good
tone. The frames of the instrument are
not made by Mr. Smith. He buys them
from foundry. Upon these frames II
bestowed the least work: it is in setting
the steel tongue in the frame and films
the lower portion Of the frame to fit thu
tongue that the most care and skill ar
required.
The first work done on jewsharp !
10 place the frame in wise. file off tn
roughness and taper down the points, s.
that each side presents "A sharp edge, he
tween which the tongue is TO vibrate
The mo.s delicate work then begins. 4
niece Of steel wire is cut from coil
hammered Hat Mt one end and left roun
ut the other, and tempered with tn
z ] ufhs lat and IL than 81
: in the arc OF the frame, and then the tw
ends are carefully pressed and ham
D mered until they come as close as pos
sible to the tongue without touching It.
The round end Of the tongue Is the
9 bent in the form of right angle, tn
: point is turned over, and the harp
ready to be placed in the hands Of
finisher. There are seven sizes and fou
Q kinds of tinishing-the common, gol
! bronze, lacquered and tin plated. I'll
harp can be toned to any pitch. To mai
= the tone high the tongue is made sina
:, and pressed back toward the frame;
q make the tone lower IL is bent forwar,
Mr.. Smith is not only good maker
/ the harp but can extract quite a lit
q music from the little instrument. |
10 can also play two at once. which
D. tunes so that they are IN harmony.
~ filing the frames
40 When business il rushing Mr. Slnitl
~ whole family is pressed into service, al
40 each member excels IN his or her partic
ne lar work Mr.. Smith prophesies III
within "A few years the instruments
makes will be in more general use TN
rs now. lie has once enlarged his factor
le and expects to do 50 again. Alba
~ Iournal