The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-26
EVERY EvENING-ONE GENT

der learned his trade of Nehemiah Dodge, the
pioneer silversmith as well ~ pioneer jeweler.
In 1858 the company was Incorporated. Its
progress has been steady land remarkable.
The works at Elmwood are . marvel OF ex-
tent and completeness In busy seasons 800
10 1900 hands are employed While fiat and
hollow table ware has always been the leading
speciality with this house, In recent years
much attention has been paid to the produc-
tion of large. artistic and costly prize trophies
and presentation pieces The solid silver
life-size statue Of Columbus, exhibited ct tho
Worlds Fair. and which has never been
oqualed, is only a sample OF the capabilities
of this distinctly Providence institution. A
bronze casting foundry has been added since
the works were removed to Elmwood, and
some famous statues have bsen prouced.
Church plate has for years been an import
ant factor in their output Silver. brass and
bronze WORK, marvellous in beauty and Of the
highest artistic character is constantly being
sent out. and each shipment adds new lustre
to the fame of Providence.
And there are others. None Of course equal
the Gorham in magnitude or Importance. but
| each produces silver wares the equal of any
| thing made anywhere. The Howard Sterling
Company, J. b. Il s. M. Knowles Company.
Fessenden e. Co., and the Campbell -Metcnlf
| Company the more important houses.
II may not be generally known that the
| finest grandfather clocks are made in this
city. Walter IL. Durfee 81 Co.. on Pond street.
make the elaborate hall clocks which find
sale only among the very wealthiest families.
The making Of gold pens, pen holders. and
pencil cases is also carried on here success
fully by three firms.
Watch cases are made by one house, the
Ladd Watch Case Company. This concern
was the pioneer in the manufacture of what
is popularity known as the gold filed watch
case.
The making Of optical goods, that is. spec-
tacles and syeglass frames and that class Of
goods is new industry here. Already nve
firms are making these articles, and others
are contemplating such manufacture.
The largest jewelry factories are those of
the Ostby 81 Barton Co., Foster 81 Bailey, s.
e. b. Lederer, Hamilton 81 Hamilton. Jr.,
and william Fl. Luther 81 Son. The first
named concern employ 300 hands in rushing
times, and the others corrcspondingly large
| numbers.
The refining OF the remnants and residue
forms an important side branch Of the trade.
Ten refineries are busily employed in this work.
Enameling, electroplating or coloring, stone
setting and engraving, each and all employ
numerous people. The sale of imitation and
; precious stones, the manufacture of paper
boxes. of trays and jewelry cases, and the cut
ting of iewelry cards, exist only by reason Of
, the jewelry business. Take IL all in all, In
7 the neighborhood Of 10000 Providence peopls
| earn their daily bread by reason Of the exist
, | ence of this industry.
J OF course such important business ai
jewelry-making has been shown to be, will
. | ramifcations, almost to theIends Of tina earth
. | supports its own Board OF Trade, and equally
, | of course, has n weekly trade Journal th'
e Manufacturing Jeweler, devoted 10 its inter
0 ests.