The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1909-01-16
MAKING I I
BRooMs } | !;

a VISIT 10 the broom FaCtOIy OF
L. D. Gray & Son. A New In
dustry Which is Working
Successfully in Dickinson.
Very little has ever been said of Dick
inson' 3 newest industry, that of broom
making and not many are aware of the
fourishing business which is being done
by l. D. Gray & Son in this line
While the output is now somewhat
limited, the industry has great possibili-
ties and is bound to grow rapidly. The
product is one that will long be in de-
nand and it will not be long before the
name Of Dickinson will be widely
known for its brooms. This firm is work
ing up big wholesale and retail trade
and already the present quarters are
none too large.
Mr. Gray and his son. Charles E. Gray.
came to Dickinson last fall from West
Union. Ia, where they were engaged in
q similar business. They arranged for
the erection of building. 20x30 feet,
just north of the Walton & Davis lumber
yard and commenced operations several
months ago.
All of their material comes from
distant parts of the country. The broom
corn used is grown in Oklahoma but is
bought in Wichita. Kansas, in car load
lots The manufacturers hope that the
broom corn will be grown in this part
Of the country by the farmers. This
will reduce the cost considerable and
be q good thing for the farmers ALSO
The handles are made of selected stock
and are purchased in Minneapolis in
large quantities
The process of making brooms is COM
paratively simple but an interesting
operation. The broom corn comes just
as it is cut from the fields. with seeds
and all. The first operation is sorting
the straw. There are several different
Grades of brooms and some straw is finer
and with fewer seeds so the different
qualities are kept separate. This part
Of the business requires an experienced
hand to sort out the different grades. u
The first semblance to a broom is done
BY machine called winder. This. is
a simple arrangement whereby the
handle is held in wise and by means
Of pedal the straw is wound about one
end Of the stick and tied with wire.
This wire runs from a spindle under
high tension. The operator takes q
handful of coarse straw and binds it
about. the handle automatically. The
uneven ends are shaved off with a
sharp knife, and the whole forms the
foundation.
He then takes finer grade Of straw
and continues to bind it with wire until
a sufficient amount has been used.
Fancy touches are added where the straw
joins the handle by pieces Of gay colored
plush and cloth. A piece of twine
holds the straw in bunch and the
broom is then ready fofathe comber.
This 10 a wheel with irregular teeth,
which draws the broom through the
wires. combins out all the seeds and
broken strands
The brooms are next sewed with
colored twine, which is woven in and
out Of the straw at about the middle
point giving It the necessary shape and
holding it together. The rough ends are
then trimmed and the broom is ready for
the final touches. the labelling. sorting.
wrapping and punching in bundles Of
IL. They are then ready for shipment.
The operator Of the winder can turn
out from six to ten dozen brooms day.
according to the grade. The sewer can
handle from nine to fifteen dozen day.
The firm makes three grades Of brooms,
Gray's Best, retailing at so cents. Gray's
IS cent Gem and the Royal Parlor., 40
cent broom. Each broom weighs about
two pounds and six ounces. and the
weight has to be taken each time. to see
thit 1t comes up to the, standard. .l's 4
The fiEm 10 doing good business and
has many orders ahead. While most Of
the business sis with wholesale houses, a
good retail trade il being worked up.
III. Gray spends quite little time on
the road taking orders, while the son
looks after the business here.
In New Quarters
The Racket store. Of which Fred L.
Thompson is proprietor. and which has
been located on Oakes street, was moved
this week to- the store recently vacated
by G. Goldstein. Il $
Tho new quarters are large and well
lighted and the location is q good one.
NJ. Thompson 8 stock Of miscellaneous
small articles, notions, toys, etc, has
/ been at q disadvantage in the basement
store but he now has plenty Of space to
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