The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-26
Growth of Art smithery.

One of the many influences which have
resulted from the worlds fair is the i'm
pulse given to the business of art smithery.
By art smithery is meant the production
of articles Of combined utility and orna-
mentation in iron and steel. This is a craft
in which the qualities Of workman and art
list must combine in the man who yields
the hammer Notwithstanding the con-
stantly increasing application of ma
chinery in various industrial fields the art
smith has no other assistants in the way
of tools and implements than had his pred
ecessor centuries ago-a forge. an anvil, va
rious odd-shaped chisels and a hammer con-
stitute his equipment.
The Importance and beauty of iron as
means of artistic expression is we'll under
stood by modern architects; especially those
who have received their training abroad,
where il has been in common use for ages.
Along with the general trenu toward better
things in art and architecture has come
demand for art smithery, but until recent
years it has been impossible to obtain work
of this character in our own country. 1t
was an uphill road that CONFRONTED the
pioneers in this line The wealth of art
iron work displayed at the worlds fair has
awakened a more general demand for the
Been eiucateT to distinguish Between the
cast-iron-fence sort of work, which has 50
long been an eyesore. and the really beau
Ornamental iron, to be artiStically good
need not necessarily be inOrdinately expen-
sive, although elaboration may be carried
to any extent that the purchasers purse
may be able TO meet. Indianapolis enter
prise has recognized the requirements of
advanced architecture and improved public
taste, and art smithery equal TO any may
be obtained in this city. Under the direc-
ton of Mr.. F. A. Hetherington the Hether-
ington * Berner Company has been grad
ually reaching out for work of this char
acter, and examples of 1t may be seen in
some of the residences of the weather. cit
liens. a fireplace hood which hangs over
the handsome CRATE in Mr. George Sulli-
vans house was designed by MIR. Hether-
ington and beaten out of steel in the re-
pOusSe style at the company 5 works. They
have also recently designed and executed
some gas fixtures which are unique and
elaborate. At the present time they are
engaged upon a. series of wrought-iron
grileS and gates for the Fletcher'S Bank
building, which has recently been remod-
eled. This work is from designs by archi-
tect Bohlen. Hetherington q Berner Com
pany, in it's structural iron department,
have just completed the erection of it's new
henceforward all structural products will
be machine-riveted. In its machine en-
cheering department among other special
machines which are made is 1.-The Herschell
patent flue welder,' tool that has proven
of great utility in railroad and other boiler
factories BY the use of this machine as
many as two hundred locomotive boiler
tubes are welded in ten hours and the
YIELDS are so neatly made as to escape detec-
of the leading railroads of the country.
Great Demand for Brick.
Present indications are that there will
be more brick used in Indianapolis this
year than in any former year. 1t is esti-
mated by those we'll informed that it will
I be 80 per cent. in excess Of any former
| year Actual figures show that the sewers
| already under contract will require 1S000,-
| 600 brick To this must be added a large
| quantity of brick for sidewalks. Ordinarily
from So COO coo TO 40 100000 are used for build
| ing purposes and other Improvements, and
| should the buildings be erected that are
contemplated Ii will require large quaint
" of brick of superior quality. The man
| ual training school building now in pro
| cess of erection will require nearly 3,500,00C
brick. Said an architect: Much will de
| pend on the price of brick. Should the
brick makers, on account of the demand
| advance prices, IL may check some impor-
| tant improvements, as the low prices for
materials have done much to bring about
/ the increase of building activity. AS the
| matter now stands. IL will require all the
| brick the local manufacturers and those
| in surrounding towns will turn out between
| now and next September. 1t is understood
| however. that a number of yards which
| were idle last year will resume operations
| this spring"