The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-11-02
A PROSPEROUS CONCERN.

One Example of What Enterprise and
Perseverance Can DO.
"Tall oaks from little acorns grow" is a
very truthful saying and if one bears it in
mind when undertaking anything it tends
to give him renewed hope and courage at
times when the task is most difficult and
very trying. Some people do bear the axiom
in mind but they do not gain by doing so
because they depend wholly on the thought
for success. The people who comprise the
Shenandoah Manufacturing Company are
not of this class They know all about the
oak ard acorn story and think it is a good
one and worth remembering, but they have
the pluck, enterprise and perseverance which
goes to put the axiom in practical shape and
that is the reason why to-day large factory
stands on Limerick street with the name of
the company spread upon its weather boards
to let the people who travel into town know
that there is another means of employment
in the town besides that of digging coal.
Three years ago Mcssrs. John S. Housenick
and j. NJ Robbins started the manufacture
Of hats and caps in a little building on
North Bowers street They only had three
or four sewing machines and but few hands,
but they went on at the industry with the
same vigor and spirit that would characterize
the methods of a concern with capital Of
millions Mr. Housenick assumed the man
agement of the plant and he proved to be a
hustler Soon the orders for hats and caps
commenced to pile in upon the firm, they
came in so rapidly that many hsd to be re
jecled because the plant was not large enough
to turn out the goods required in time.
Finally the plant was enlarged, more machines
were put in and more operatives employed
and the firm commenced to catch up with
some of the orders they were obliged to push
aside, but again the demand for the firms
goods became so great and their building
had to be enlarged again and more operatives
and more machines had to be secured But
this second spreading out failed to meet the
emergency and it now only became necessary
to desert the old quarters which would beaI
no further extension but also to merge the
firm into stock company to raise the capi
| tai which the constantly and rapidly increas
! ing demand required. The result is that the
plant has been increased from one of foul
sewing machines and about half dozen hands
to one comprising about sixty machines and
seventy operatives, and the new factory il
like beehive the operatives toiling six day
a week from 630 a. m. until p, m. to keel
up with the demand for the Company S goods
Mr. Housenick manages the plant which
owes its existence in no small measur,
to his personal hard and constant labor
The factory is three stories high and has
large basement In the latter part of tn,
building is the boiler and engine room anC
the carpenter shop in which are made TIN
crates used for shipping the goods. On tn
first floor is the box making room, the sample
room and the operatives cloak room. On tn
second floor is the office and operating room
where the machines are kept humming nigh
and day. The blocking and shipping depart
ment is on the top floor. 1t is 2Sx75 feet il
size. The operating room is 25x55 feet, Tn
building is illuminated by gas and at con
venient places on each floor is a water tap an
with line of cotton hose for use in case @
fire. This plant demonstrates that home in
dustries can be made profitable if properl
managed. The company has it fitted witt
all the latest improved machinery requires
for that line of business and is doing ava.
with all its foot and hand power appliance
for those operated by steam in order to b.
better able to compete in the market wit
other manufacturers who enjoy these adyan
tages.
Next week Mr.. Housenick intends to max
a new departure by installing in the factory
full equipment Of improved machinery 70
manufacturing paper boxes in which to shi
the hats and caps and thus the companys ex
pense in this connection will be reduced {
fret cost
Best photographs and crayOns at Dabb's.