Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-01-25
S. A. |. SHOPS MOST IMPORTANT
INDUSTRIAL PLANT IN AMERIClJS
Inspect OR an Average Five Hundred Locomotives In
MOnth--MuCh Repair Work Done

Easily the busiest place in Americus'
industrial district and a field of ae-
tiVity at all seasons, are the extensive
shops of the Seaboard railway hera.
which, just at this time, have about
all the work on hand that the present
force of nearly two hundred toilers
can take care of. A casual visit to the
shops yesterday evidenced this fact
plainly.
In the yards and repair shops were
fourteen locomotives, several just
put in readiness for service, whils
others, stripped of wheels and orna-
mental work, were undergoing zten-
sive repairs.
Some idea of the amount of work
done at the Americus shops can be had
when it is known that in each month
an average equivalent to five hundred
locomotives are taken care of there.
Each engine is carefully inspected up
on arrival, and all needed repairs
made before it is sent out on the road
again.
General Foreman Elam Mauk and
Assistant Foreman Hinkle McLendon.
both veterans in the service is not in
years, have charge of the mechanical
department of the Americus shops.
which do all repair work for the Sea-
boards Fourth division, Savannah to
Montgomery, Columbus and branches.
The work is splendidly systematized.
and when an engine is turned out of
the Americus shops it is ready for SER
vice in every particular.
In the mechanical department are
employed just now twenty-one skilled
machinists, five boilermakers and as
many blacksmiths, besides numerous
helpers. In the car-building depart
ment, of which Mr.. T. E. Brooks is
foreman, there is a small army of car
penters. car repairers and laborers
generally. In another department are
coppersmiths, air brake workers and
pipemen.
ALI told, fully two hundred men are
employed in the working departments
of the local shops, which means a pay
roll monthly of no small proportions.
Recently the chief despatcher's Of
flee of the Fourth division was brought
back to Americus from Savannah and
is in charge of MIR. James Sutton, chief
dispatcher, with several assistants
The despatcher's office is upon the
second floor of the main shops build
ing, and while not all that could be
desired in point of comfort and con-
venience, serves the purpose well.
In spacious store rooms upon tbs
main floor is equipment of every kind
needed in repair work and which, IN
value, represents around sum of mon
ey to the company
Just at this period the shops ar>
operated upon reduced time, but it -
hoped that before long the work hours
will be extended and an even large.
force employed. This will result, M
doubt, with the expected increase in
heavy traffic a month later, when thou
sands of tons of fertilizer and miscel-
laneous freight begins to go forward
over the entire Fourth division.
The Seaboard shops are an imports
ant factor in Americus' Industrial
growth. and source of pride to all
citizens as we'll Scores of employees
there, as well as men in other depart
ments of the service, are home-owners
here, and Americus has no better class
of citizenship than these men of brain
and Drawn alike.