The record-union., 1891-12-05
The Massive Pillars.


OF the thousands of people daily pass
ing the Weinstock, Lubin d Co. building
1t Fourth and X streets, probably one
half or more, at some time during the
erection of the edifice, have contemplated
the massive cast-iron pillars that extend
in two gigantic parts from the founda-
tons of the front to the feet of each of the
eight great arches which spring so grace
fully and form the arcades, and have
asked "Where were those massive cast
lngs made?"
They were cast, it may be replied, by
the firm of Root, Nelson IL Co., proprie-
tors of the Union Iron Works, Front
street, between II and o, Sacramento.
Not only were these massive pillars the
product of the Union Iron Works, but
also all the east-iron work in the build
ing, the firm taking the contract under
Bigelow 81 Little. This contract in
cluded also the interior columns and gal
lery supports. No heavier or more salts
| factory castings have ever been made in
this city, not excepting some Of the enor-
NOUS pieces that have been turned out at
| the railroad shops. Messrs. Root, Neil
son q Co. are now at work upon the
heavy castings sor the Federal building
| In process Of erection at Seventh and K
streets.
The firm makes a speciality of this
kinds of heavy castings. At the same
time it must not be supposed that this is
| the limit of the Union Iron Works. On
the contrary the firm builds all classes OF
| mining and milling machinery, steam
engines, quartz mills, steam road
wagons. and, in short, all manner of ma
chinery in common business use. The
| firm has done work in the matter of
architectural construction on all the large
buildings of this city. and on many
| throughout the State and coast, including
the odd Fellows Block, Sacramento
Bank and the prominent edifices of the
| Capital City. A great deal of their work
| is to be found in the Territories and in
Mexico, and in adjoining States to Cali
| fornia, bearing the trade mark of the
Union Iron Works of Sacramento.
The firm employs fifty men regu-
| larly, and their works cover a large ex-
tent of ground. There are three general
| departments in the works, with one
| partner over each department Thus,
Mr.. Root has entire superintendent ct
the machinery department, Mr.. Nelson
of the business department and Mr.. Dris-
coll of the foundry.
| The firm was formed in 1853, and has
| occupied the same quarters, on Front
| street, ever since In the twenty-three
years it has built up trade that extends
along all the lines of transportation di-
yerging from Sacramento. Iron work
is all very heavy, the matter of freight
therefore is a most important item to the
| buyer. The saving of the difference of the
freight from San Francisco and from Sac
ramento to given point in the interior,
within Sacramento's trade area, gives
this city advantages of the highest order
for the prosecution of such industries as
are carried on by the Union Iron Works.
The firm of Root, Nelson d Co. has an
enviable reputation for square dealing,
fine workmanship, promptness, faithful
discharge of contracts and broad-minded
| business methods. Their work upon
the Weinstoek, Lubin Il Co. build
ing stands SO prominently to the front,
and is so conspicuous in the architecture,
| that it will remain monument and tes-
timony in the eyes Of all to the high capaci-
| ty of the Union Iron Works of Sacra-
1 M