The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-08-08
PROGRESS BEING MADE.

Work Being Rapidly Pushed at the
New Smelter The Foundation
Walls Well Under Way.
"A visit to the site of Rapid City's
big smelter reveales scene of un-
usual activity. The grading is prac-
tically complete, and work on the
foundatio walls is we'll under way.
A smsll army of masons are fast
fashioning the huge piles of quarried
rock into symmetrical and substan-
tial walls, graders are getting the
ground in shape to lay the tracks
for the extention of the railroad to
the smelter, and the various side
tracks, and altogether the place
presents q busy and bnsiness-like
appearance. The railroad officials
on their recent visit, had a confer
ence with DR.. Muggley and definitely
settled all prelimmaries for their
part Of the work, and in this con-
nection it might be of interest to
know that they acceeded to every
wish OF the Smelling company, aud
will build all the track required for
8 the convenient handling of the Gre
for abduction at the plant, as we'll as
for the removal of all Stag. This
latter is no small item with a
smelter, the disposition of the refuse
matter being among he greotest
obsacles to overcome. However, in
the case Of the National Smeltsng
company's plant, it has already
been simplifed bY.a process for gran
ulated the Stag and disposing Of it
to the railroad company for ballast,
it being considered, when so reduced
the finest material for this purpose,
obtainable. Work has already COM
merced on q spur leaving the main
track at q point just below the
4 asmelter, which is to be utilized for
hauling the heavy machinery and
steel frame right 10 the building,
this greatly facilitating the work
aof erection. In fact, we are informed
that the work Of erecting the steel
frame viii not occupy over thirty
days time after the foundation walls
are in shape to receive It. This por-
ton Of the building comes to the
ground fully constructed, and has
only 10 be plabed in position.
AT the sumit Of the hill in rear Of
the smelter, a score or more 81
masons are busy on the stone foun-
dation for the stack. Any one who
has not been on the ground and
and seen this work, has but q faint
idea of the magnitude Of this most
necessary adjunct to the smelter,
and it will well repay q visit TO the
top Of the hill. A good road Of easy
grade has been built for the conven.
ience of those delivering stone and
OIher material for use in the con,
struction Of the stack, SO that it is
an easy matter to 60 and view it
This is not only sonderons piece o
masonry, but it deeds must be abso.
lutely plumb, in order that the
great height Of steel pipe surmont.
ing IT may be maintained in posi-
\ tion.
Aside from the work Of construc
ton there is much else Of ofimportanc'
transpiringe at the new plant. Th,
company has 9 neat and commodiou
Office, occupied by General Manage
Muggley and his assistants, an.
Superintendent Knutzen, where I,
vast amount Of clerical work is &C
compllshed daily. Here is wher'
the planning figuring manas ing
etc. this is ghere the brain worl
necessary to bring proposition 9
this magnitude toa successful con
summation, IS accommpl lished.
This is in part what is at presen
bsing done BY the National Smelt
ing compan, 70 make Of Kapid Git
what is bound eventually TO be, th
leading city and metropolis Of th
Black Hills. Later % We shall hay
something to say of what will ;
done By this com pany il the future
"a the Va q making q success /
the smelter after II IS built.
Srictly 81 the Best
The \ Great Eastern Circu.
Railroad Shows, Mena9erle, Hipps
drome, etc, etc, seemed 70 has