Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-15

fuSn OF WdttIS ttfouSu loEcbhys hhN VN'i
dams comes from the extensive operations
of the Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works
COMPANY. and certainly there can be no
picturesque or sentimental associations
with nail-keg. But hold on, that de-
pends upon circumstances. The Dispatch
representative once heard Richmond
man say that before the war while he was
wav up in the heart of one of the Central
American States ne came across keg or
Old Dominion nails, and he thought il the
most beautiful thing be had ever seen.
Indeed, he declared that It brought up
such tender recollections of home that he
felt like hugging it, and he afterwards
learned that the company's nails on ac-
count of their superior quality command
ed a higher price than any others brought
to the South and Central American mar
kets.
EARLY IN THE CENTURY.
Belle Isle has been the seat of an iron in
dustry since early in this century. That
fact has not only made it part of tho
history of the manufacturing development
of the country, hut il has become incorpo-
rated into the history OF the late war by
reason of having been for time Federal
prison camp. Ii was one of the objective
points of the raid of the Federal cavalry
General Dalgreen, whose forces were re-
pulsed at Hix's farm by the Confederate
local-defence troops, and who was subse-
quently killed below Richmond.
STEADY PROGRESS.
The present company, which as the Old
Dominion Iron and Nail Works Company
succeeded the Belle Isle Works." was
chartered in 1856 and since that time,
with the exception Of the war period, its
career has been one of steady progress and
improyement-a career that has in every
wev emphasized it's ante e-bellum reputation
and kept pace with the industrial progress
of Virginia.
THE OLD WORKS
The old works, old in years. but not in
machinery or in the matter of energy and
push, and in wide-awake activity in meet
inc every demand of the trade. are situ-
ated on the south side of the island and con-
stitute an industrial world in themselves.
Here the brain and Drawn OF about l,OOO
men are employed. Here is perfect maze
OF furnaces and of rolls. wheels, shatting,
gearing, and other machinery. Here both
steam and water-power arc concentrated
to move Titanic mechanical appliances with
. regularity and nicely that almost suggest
that they are sentent. Here the smoke
pives numerous effects of chiaroscuro by
day and the flame makes most lurld, real
istic, and sharply-drawD pictures at night.
Here verify men earn their bread by the
sweat of their brow but they do II cheer:
| fully, for in no establishment in the land
are force treated with more consldera-
| tion. Splendid specimens OF humanity
are some of these workmen. developing as
thew do under the glare of the furnaces
anatomical studies for the sculptor. In.
telligent they are, too. and nota few OF
them have been employed at the works
nearly all their lives,
TIE DEPARTMENTS.
The departments Of the works are di-
yided into q naIl-factory, horseshoe-tac-
tory, steam puddle-mill, water puddle
mill, bar-mill and plate-mill, and the pro-
ducts of the works are steel and iron nails,
all sizes of bar iron from the small rod 70
shaftings. and all sizes of horse and mule
shoes. To the trade everything that goes
ont of the Old Dominion Iron and Nail
Works bears the equivalent OF the sterling
mark. Inaddltion to their island property
which is forty-seven acres, tho company
own thousand acres OF land in Chester
field county, on which are located their
saw-mill and keg-factory, which give EN-
ployment to about fifty. hands. On the
north side of the island is located theli
steel. plant, which only awaits the favora-
bic moment in the development in virginia
of the Bessemer pig-iron industry to add
another great interest 10 Richmond.
THE RICHMOND oFFICE
The Richmond Office and warehouse OF
the company is located on Cary street be-
tween Virginia and Fourteenth. and here II
the headquarters of the President and his
corps of book keepers, clerks. and type
writer's. The Richmond and Denville rail
road tracks run directly into the ware-
house, and this connection together with
their connection over the north bridge,
gives the company the best facilities fol-
shipping North, South, East. and West. By
their railroad bridge the works OF the
company's tracks connect with all the
railroad systems leading out OF the city.
THE OFFICERS.
The president Of the company is Mr..
Arthur b. Clarke. who succeeded the late
Robert z. Blankenshlp and who was raised
in the employ of the corporation. Mr.
Douglas Baird is thesuperintendent OF the
works and vice president of the company,
and has been with the works for over
half a century. He literally lives, moves,
and has his being in the mill" which IL
the pride of bis life and the apple OF his
eve. The assistant superintendent and en-.
gineer is Mr.. John ID. Baird. who was born
on the island and who has served It con-
tinuously since his boyhood. save when be
was serving his State in the Confederate
army. The secretary is Mr.. George VII
liam Cstlett. who has been O part OF the
company for years.
THE CAPACITY.
The annual capacity Of the works is 49,
900 net tons, and as stated above 1t dis
tributes an immense amount OF money
among the retailers Of Richmond and Man
chester. During 1890 It shared IN the gen.
eral prosperity that attended the iron in
terest of Richmond. and il enters the new
wear with the brightest OF prospects for an
Increase of business. Whatever may be
necessary TO keep il in the forefront OF such
concerns the Old Dominion Iron and Nail.
Works will do. The company has reputa-
tion and capital. and its officers have en-.
ergy, pride, and business sagacity.
GOOD FExLISo.
A striking and most pleasing feature re.
garding the company Is the good feeling
that exists between employees and employ.
eFs. The company never fail 10 recognize
merit and faithful service, and one form
of this recognition is TO present all en-
ployes who have been with tho company
twenty-five years with gold-medal suita.
bly, inscribed. There are now on the
island over O score of men who wear these
medals, and many others who will veal
them before long. That this speaks vol
umes for the company's consideration
fairness. appreciation. and sense OF justice
no one can deny. Nor is that all. II mus
be apparent. that corporation that hold.
the affection of its employees as the Old
Dominion Iron and Nail Company does
must secure the best class of work.
Any one who will visit the works whef
they are in full blast cannot fail TO notes
that every man bends to bis work with {
OF the company at heart. The work Is moi
easy. There Is q drive in IL from Monday
morning until Saturday night. Only ont th'
Sabbath does the vast machinery rest, sci