The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-27

n knowledge Of pattern making and
moulding.
In the mean time Mr. Stafford had sold
his straw cutter patent 90 Jabcz Park
or. Of Richmond. Mr. Parker was not
mechanic himself and, after vain effort
TO manufacture the straw cutter at
profit. he wrote 90 Mr. Stafford. asking him
90 send a man competent TO carry ON the
business.
M Smith. who was then twenty years
OF age. was selected as the man wanted.
and he left Boston on a sailing vessel
bound for Richmond on December i, 1S2S.
lie arrived I'm this city on the 18th day
Of December reaching the old Dominion
from New England In four weeks which
was looked upon at that time as short
passage. ON the lst Of January, ls2', he
was duly installed as the manager of the
manufacturing part of Mr. Parkers busl-
ness. There was not at that time lathe
On the shop or any motive power TO drive
one. Mr. smith insisted on the purchase
of a lathe. and Mr. Parker 90 oblige his
pushing manager bought "a cheap second
hand affair and a G-foot hand wheel. with
crank ON each side, which was turned boy
two slaves.
The following years horse power was re-
sorted 10. Mr.. Smith building one upon
his own plan, and In the following year
stiu another was added 10 keep mp with
the growing trade. AT Mr.. Parker's death,
An 1916 the business. which had become
ouife large. and included the building Of
horse power wheat threshcrs, corn she'll
ers and wheat fans, was assumed by Mr.
Smith and Jabez X. Parker. The new
firm continued three years, when the
business was sold out, and Mr.. Smith bee
came the purchaser lie Immediately
put I'm a steam engine ana power Qlan-
ar. and enlarged the works for doing
general agricultural implement business.
During the civil war Mr. Smith estab-
ushmcnt was considered so essential 90
the farmers OF the South that all of its
employee were exempted from military
service on the ground of public necessity.
In 1866 the firm name was changed 90 VI.
NJ Smith & CO.. Mr. Smith taking into
partnership Mr. J. S Tower. his son-in-law
and his sons.
Mr. Smith had been large and SUCCESS
ful inventor. as the records Of the patent
Office vii show Smiths Virginia horse
power stood the test Of many years SER
vice and has borne off the laurcls at many
an agricultural fair The thresh.ng
0sums of "a. NJ Smiths pattern are we'll
known throughout the South. His drums
and straw carriers have repeatedly taken
premiums over an others 40 the largest
state fairs Smiths gold medal smut
machine was also regarded as triumph
Of mechanical slN and wen applied think
inp IN overcoming the more provoking
obstacles 20 success I'm agriculture.
Smiths wire tooth cleaner. two horse cnl-
tiyatOr corn wec1cr double shovel p'oush
double Y harrow Old Dominion elder and
wine mill patent tobacco cutter improved
patent wen fixtures. lever straw cutter
corn planters and shelters have been un-
hesitatngly pronounced the best machines
ever placed ON the market.
The Office aud worcrooms Of the COM
pany were situated at no. 1892 Main street.
and the works extended through from
Main 70 Franklin streets They employed
"a regular force Of about sevcnty-dve
hands. consisting OF drst-claes maehin.
lists. woOdw0rkers, blacksmiths. pattern
makers and iron moulders. The busi-
ness OF the firm amounted 20 $4,000 The
year after the war and steadily in-
.roasod Their trade extended throueh-
out Virginia and iho southern Atlantic
states Including Georgia and Alabama.
ON October 2s 1854 the mochine-shops
OF the firm were damaged by' fire. entail
ing a loss OF 5000 in 1888 the company
made an assignment FOR the benefit Of its
creditors. with liabilities amounting 10
s15.OO and assets between 800 el ana 500 o.
o.. The failure of the firm caused
feeling OF general regret In the COM