The sun., 1901-12-05
NEW MACHINE
REPLACES MEN
Labor Saving Device Invented by
Hugh F. Dougherty.
TAKES HAIR FROM SKINS
Machine of Great Value to Morocco
Manufacturers Patented by Will
mington Man---Now in
Working Order.
TAKES HAIR FROM SKINS

Hugh +. Dougherty, superintendent at
tho Ford Morocco Company, has invent
ed a machine which promises to revolu-
tionize the present method used by the
morocco companies for removing the hair
from skins. This is something that has
been much needed in the business for
years az the present system is not only
very slow but it is also very hard on
the men who do that work The new
machine is called the Dougherty Unfair
ing machine. Mr.. Dougherty has one in
operation at the Ford Morocco Com
pany's works and it has proved to be
successful.
When seen at his office yesterday by
a representative Of The Sun Mr.. Dough-
erty said that he had every reason to be-
lieye that the machine would he sue
cessful and eventually do away with the
present unsatisfactory method of re-
moving the hair by hand. He also show
ed The Sun representative his invention,
which from the work it accomplishes is
complete in every detail. 1t is operated
by one man and three boys. The ma
chine is in continuous motion and at
tached Is a series Of revolving tables
on which the skins are placed. After be-
| ing placed on the tables the skins are
thrown in contact with several circular
knives and these cut off all the hair
without in any way injuring the skins.
| They are put in one side of the machine
and come out on the other side hair
less, while the hair by the means OF a
mechanical appliance is thrown out at
one end of the machine.
| While the Ford Morocco Company
handles nothing hut goat skins, the ma
chine can be built to remove the hair
| from any of the skins used in morocco
factories. The Ford Company receives
the goat skins from all parts of the
world. When they first arrive the skins
are placed in water to bring them back
to their natural state. They are then
placed in lime vat where they remain
for about two weeks. When the skins
are taken from the lime vat they are
then ready to 60 through the hairing
machine.
Mr.. Doughcrty has been working on
his invention for three or four years but
| it was not until nearly a year ago that
he got it completed. He then had one
built by his orders and brought it to this
city. The machine which is the only one
in the world was first started five months
ago and has been In continuous service
since that time. 1t removes the hair
from every skin now used at the Ford
Morocco Company. Mr.. Dougherty has
several other of the machines constructed
but as yet they have not been put in use
While the machine was in operation at
the ordinary speed yesterday afternoon
il was timed and removed the hair from
16 skins in one minute. At this rate tho
machine will average 800 dozen during a
day Of 10 hours. This is doing the work
of 80 men. Under the old system the
iverage for one man for one day was 25
dozen The machine is very simple and
loes not require experienced men to
run it,
Prominent morocco men from all parts
of the country have inspected the ma
chine and voted ii a success. Several
companies. builders of morocco machin-
iery. are making efforts to prevent Mr..
Dougherty from putting his machine on
the market, realizing that it is so com
plcte that it will be detriment to their
!, business.
Ono company has already brought suit
and IL decision in favor of Mr.. Dough
erty was rendered in the United States
Court.
Mr.. Donghcrty states that the patent
is in good shape and he expects it to be
granted in short time. A company
to manufacture the machines has been
incorporated in this State with a capi-
tai stock of $150,0O0. The incorporators
arc William A. Stetson, president Of the
Ford Morocco Company: James Ford
and Hugh f. Dougherty, the inventor of
the machine. The company when it oh
tains its patent will manufacture the
, machines in this city.
Hugh +. Dougherty, the inventor OF
the machine, was born at du Points
Banks. 80 years ago. He has been in
/ the morocco business for twenty-five
wears and superintendent of the Ford
Company for ten years. He lives at No
201s Gilpin avenue.