Delaware County, Indiana - Chapter 22: Gas Works, 1881

Chapter 22: Gas Works

Fi early as 1862, when Muncie was a town corporation, the question of manufacturing and using gas for illuminating purposes was quite extensively canvassed, to the extent that inducements were offered for propositions looking. to the erection of works within the corporation. In May of that year, Messrs. Harvey & Knowles, gas manufacturers from Ohio, in view of the friendly agitation upon the subject, -came to Muncie, and, at the instance of the Town Council, prepared and submitted a plan for the construction and maintenance of works for the manufacture of the article, which was accepted by the Council. This first effort was abortive and for the time abandoned, but revived again in 1867, when the muincipal authority was exercised by a city corporation. Again, the movement being premature, was checked by the adverse opinion of the city fathers, who decided to let the proposition lie upon the table. Subsequently, in July, 1872, a resolution was adopted by the Council authorizing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency of lighting the city with gas by a private corporation, and report what aid on the part of the city might be necessary to effect such an arrangement. At the meeting in December of that year, the gas committee made a report in favor of the erection of works by the city, the city to take control and operate the same. This proposition, like its predecessors, was laid upon the table. In January, 1874, the gas committee submitted a proposition from Messrs. Huntington & Co., to supply the requisite works, and reported unfavorably upon its provision. The committee's Opinion was concurred in by the Council.

Resolved, That whereas, petitions have been presented to the people by a resolution at the previous Council meeting, of the different wards of the city of Muncie. in which a very general expression has been obtained upon the subject of gas works on some of the plans proposed; and, whereas, 251 citizens have expressed their opinion that the city should own the same, and 140 citizens that the same should be ownel in part by the city and in part by the company, thirty-five expressing themselves as opposed to the project in any form; Therefore, we, the Common Council of the city of Muncie, hereby decide that it is the duty of this Council t> contract for the construetion of gas works, to be owned by the city of Muncie, Ind, which was adopted.

Resolved, That a committee of three of this Council be appointed to determine the kind of works, its capacity for supply, its location, number of street lamps neces. sary, and all other matters and things necessary for this Council to understand so as to act advisedly. Also, that one citizen trom each ward be selected as assistants to said committee in making said investigation, and said committee to solicit bids and notify competing builders that such work is to be let to contract, and asking specifications to accompany such bids, and report their plans and doings to the Board at their earliest convenience.

The committee consisted of Messrs. Hodson, Parry and Davis. The assistants were A. J. Riley, from the First Ward; John L. Little, from the Second; A. C. Mellette, from the Third; and Adam Wolfe, from the Fourth. While this method failed in meeting the expectations of its projectors, the agitation continued and in due time other propositions were submitted, considered, legislated upon and laid aside.

Finally, at the meeting of the Council on the 21st of July, 1879, the matter having been before maturely considered, Messrs. Miller and Kuhn, of McKeesport, Penn., submitted a proposition to erect gas works in the city at their own expehse, certain privileges being awarded them for that purpose. The proposition was as follows:

The undersigned agree to construct, at their own expense, complete coal-gas works in the city of Muncie, Ind., on the following terms and conditions, to wit: To erect and maintain a brick building, with slate roof, for the manufacture of gas, the gasholders to be forty feet in diameter and fourteen feet high; to furnish and erect all the cast-iron posts, with suitable lamps needed for street purposes; to furnish, lay and keep in proper repair at least two and one-half miles of wrought-iron main-pipe and extend the same as soon and as often as the demands for gas will justify it, with all the necessary service-pipe and gas-meters thereto attached, in any and all publie and private buildings, when requested to erect the same by the owner or other person duly authorized, without any cost or liability to said city or any citizen thereof, except as hereinafter provided, and furnish good coal-gas of not less than sixteen-candle power, for the following rates, to wit: $1.65 per one thousand cubic feet for al gas used for city purposes; $2 per one thousand cubic feet to the citizens of said city, with 10 per cent discount if the bills are paid when presented; Provided, said city of Muncie will grant the right of way in the streets and alleys of said city to the undersigned, and light and extinguish all lamps used by the city, and whenever gas is not used for ninety consecutive days in any building where the undersigned has erected gas-pipes and fixtures, the owner of such buildings shall pay to the undersigned the actual cost and expense of erecting such pipes and fixtures, not to exceed 60 cents per foot. Mitter & Kuan,

This proposition was accepted and an ordinance authorizing the constraction of said works, the laying of mains and service pipes, and granting the right of way along the streets and alleys, etc., of the city, was adopted; also, binding said parties, in compliance with their proposition, to erect and put said works in operation on or before the 1st day

Said company, immediately thereafter, secured ground upon which to erect their works, at the intersection of Elm street with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus & Indianapolis Railroad, and workmen commenced excavating and laying brick on Friday, July 25, 1879. On the 30th of July, measurements were completed for the mains which were laid on the following streets: Walnut street, from the railroad to Gil bert street, north, 3, "198 feet; Wall street, 614 feet; Charles street, 1,300 feet; Adams street, east of Walnut, 1,500 feet; west of Walnut, 975 feet; Jackson street, east of Walnut, 1,600 feet - west of Walnut 1,000 feet; Main street, west, 600 feet, east, 1,700 feet; Washington street, east of Walnut, 1,660 feet. In addition to these, about 2,000 feet of mains were laid along cross streets, making an aggregate of near three miles of this class of pipe. The works were completed and put in operation on the 18th of October following.

Gas Illumination

GAS ILLUMINATION. "Last Saturday evening October 18, 1879, at half past 6 o'clock, The ' gas tree' erected at the southeast corner of the public square, consisted of a gaspipe standing perpendicular, to the height of about fifteen feet, and from it protruded numerous prongs, arms, limbs and various unique contrivances. A large star adorned the top of the pipe, and immediately under it were the words, 'Muncie Gas Company.' The evening being very blustery, the wind blew out the lights occasionally, and, while it was not the success it might have been, it was a beautiful scene. 'The streets were crowded to witness the burning of the first gas from the new gas works, and Messrs. Miller and Kuhn start out under auspicious circumstances, there being sixty consumers on that evening." Notwithstanding these works have been in operation only about one year and a half, the patronage extended has been fully equal to the anticipations of all who were or are interested in their projection, construction or operation - consumers are numerous and general satisfaction is the uniform expression.

Manufacturing Industries Planing-Mill

About one month later John C. Matthews was admitted, when the firm became known as Mong, Matthews & Co. After continuing under this name for one year, Stanley Lawton purchased the interest of John C. Matthews, and the firm was again changed to Mong, Matthews & Lawton. Under this arrangement. business was continued some two years, when Mr. Mong sold out his interest to Matthews & Lawton, who conducted the business as for merly. Subsequently, D. J. Ryan and P. H. D. Bandey were admitted and Lawton retired. After purchasing the interest of Mr. Lawton, Mr. Matthews sold his iron-working machinery to S. W. Harlan & Co. The firm then became Matthews, Ryan & Bandey, and the establishment was conducted as a plaining mill. Mr. Ryan retired from the firm in 1870, and Matthews & Bandey continued the business. Mr. Bandey purchased the interest of Mr. Matthews in 1872, and has since conducted the business alone.

Planing-Mills

A partnership was entered into between R. H. Mong and Charles a Willard in 1875, when they built a two-story brick manufacturing house on the southwest corner of Howard and High streets. The building was not, however, completed until the autumn of 1876, at which time they put in a steam engine of thirty-five-horse-power, together with a planer and matcher, re-saw and other machinery. The cost of these improvements aggregated the sum of $9,400, $2,000 of which was paid for the lot upon which the works were erected. Business continued under the firm name of Mong & Willard until the spring of 1880, when Mr. Willard retired, leaving the entire works under the proprietorship and control of Mr. Mong. In the meantime the building and works had been leased to Mr. Davis, who operated them less than a year and then removed to another part of the city. After this surrender the old firm took charge again. 'Since the retirement of Mr. Willard the business has been managed by Mr. Mong, who manufactures flooring, siding, ete., keeping in stock and supplying the trade with all kinds of dressed lumber, shingles, ete.

Foundry And Machine-Shop

In 1867, Walter S. Phelps erected a frame building on the south side of Jackson, immediately east of Plum street. The building is still standing but not occupied. In 1868, it was fitted up with the necessary machinery, engine, boiler, lathes, drill presses, blower, etc., and Mr. Phelps commenced the manufacture of engines, saw-mills, and, in short, did a general business in the line of manufacturing and repairing machinery, etc., which he continued until 1871. At that time Dr. 8. O. Budd, formed a partnership with him, the firm being known by the name of Phelps & Budd. About that time the capital invested amounted to about $9,000, and employed an average of eight men continually. Under this management the business was conducted successfully for a period of about one year, when Dr. Budd withdrew and Mr. Phelps became sole proprietor again, and kept the machinery running for several months after though with little success; then he also retired, and eventually the property reverted back into the hands of Dr. Budd, who, after holding the works for a short time, finally leased them to Messrs. Turner & Staker. These gentlemen, in turn, after an experi ence of a few months, were themselves superseded by Turner & Adams, Mr. Staker having retired. The new firm continued business a short time afterward, and then withdrew. Subsequently other parties became interested, but their experience was also unsatisfactory, and the business came to anend. Finally Dr. Budd sold the machinery to Brant Brothers, of Covington, Ohio, and it was at once moved there.

Foundry, Machine And Boiler Works

These works are located on the east side of Mulberry street and immediately north of the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad. The main building is a two-story brick, the foundry a one-story brick, and the boiler works a frame. All these were built in the summer of 1873 by a joint-stock company, comprising among others Henry Patterson, W. B. Kline, Henry Wysor, David T. Haines, William Brother- - ton, J. L. McClintock and Thomas J. Matthews. The Board of Directors was composed of the following: A. F. Patterson, J. H. Wysor, William Brotherton, J. L. McClintock and David T. Haines. Thomas J. Matthews, Superintendent.

This company continued the business for three succeeding years, when, having become entangled in financial difficulties connected thereto, in 1877, the works were sold by the Sheriff of Delaware County, and bought in by J. H. Wysor, D. T. Haines, A. F. Patterson, William Brotherton, J. L. McClintock and John McClintock. The result of this purchase was the creation of a new firm - Wysor, Haines & Co. ~ A short time previous to the sale, however, the works had been operated by Mr. Haines, as the Muncie Foundry and Machine Works.

This new firm put in additional machinery and commenced manufacturing on a more extensive scale, and are now supplied with all the necessary machinery, planers, lathes, drills, and, in fact, all that is required to manufacture portable and stationary engines, boilers, and circular saw-mills, mill gearing, drag-saws, sheet-iron-work, castings, steam gauges, whistles, brass goods, iron piping, and, in - - shes the -

Pugesr Ees Ened Outros Bpes Ene

-various Classes of manufactures and repair work in that line. Myr McClintock has since withdrawn from the firm, the remaining members having absorbed his interest. David T. Haines is at present Superin- 'tendent of the work. The firm employ an average of twenty men, but at times as many as thirty.

The extensive mills of James Boyce, Muncie's leading manufacturer, are located in the eastern portion of the city at the head of Washington street. t

Mr. Boyce came to Muncie on the 12th day of July, 1870, from Wooster, Ohio, and at once engaged in the tow business on the same site now occupied by him. His energetic character in dispatching business was early manifested in his movements toward the construction of the building and Machinery for the manufacture of tow. It is said that with his own hands he threw out the first spadeful of earth in making the excavation for the foundation of the house, and from that time forward worked assiduously. The building was a frame, two stories high and 35x70 feet on the foundation. For a period of about two years, six men were employed about the establishment. At the end of that time, being unable to find market for is tow, purchased some second-hand machinery and otherwise increased his manufacturing facilities, when he began to make a fabric suitable for cotton bagging, and like purposes. The machinery of the establishment was propelled by a' fifteen-horse-power engine, which was put in at the beginning. '

In 1872, he again made important improvements, adding a department appropriated to the manufacture of flax-brakes, putting in for that purpose lathes, drills, presses and other machinery necessary. This business was prosecuted vigorously and successfully, a large number of before. On the 10th of March, 1877, everything being in readiness, the machinery was again put in motion. A large portion of. this new machinery was on exhibition at the centennial fair and elsewhere. Upon commencing to rebuild, it was his purpose to put into the works a five-loom-set, but' did not know where he would secure the money, but when completed he had a seven-loom-set and wondered at .the achievment. The buildings when completed were 115x40 feet, of brick, and two stories high. From time to time he has since added to it until at present the dimensions are 197x276; the different floors are the following sizes: 40x80, 35x130, 50x70, 32x72, 40x24 feet. Besides this he -has built a one-story brick warehouse of 252x40 feet. This building is situated on the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad, on the east side of Elm street. Here all the material is stored previous to shipping, and at this time Mr. Boyce says it is "chock full," and he "can't find room for another car load."

The mills are fitted with a 100-horse-power engine, which was built at Olds & McLaughlin's works, at Fort Wayne, Ind., and two steam boliers of seven flues each; 417 feet of line shafting, in addition to 100 feet of counter shafting; eleven looms, seven spinners, five cards, six tow machines, besides reeling machines and cap-winders. In the machine-shop there are three lathes, with planers, drill presses, ete. In another department there are breaking and seutching machines - in fact all the various kinds of machinery incident to the business. There is also a carpenters' shop with all the necessary planers, drills, boring machines, saws, etc., in full operation. Here as elsewhere throughout this extensive factory, is heard the busy hum of machinery and the coming in and going out of the various kinds of material used in the establishment. In this part of the building, a room is set off 24x40 feet, and occupied by the Muncie Washing Machine Company, which runs saws, lathes, ete., for the manufacture of a very practical and. popular wash: ing machine, invented and patented by Mr. E. L. Kees. The firm is composed of H. J. Lockhart, John Ellis and E. L. Kees. They employ four men constantly. In the prosecution of this enterprise, as in many other cases in Muncie, Mr. Boyce has lent a helping hand.

There are employed by Mr. B. in the various departments of his works, about one hundred and ten hands, among whom he disburses monthly near the sum of $2,200. He claims to have disbursed in the city of Muncie since he commenced business, nearly if not quite $1,000,000. Besides these principal works here in Muncie, he operates numerous preparatory factories as auxiliaries thereto, as follows: At Winchester, Red Key, Albany, Wheeling, Honey Creek and Alexandria. He operates also and controls a four-loom bagging factory at Huntington, Ind. Recently he has purchased thirty-three acres of land at Hartford City, where he will erect other preparatory factories the coming year.

The capacity of the works here is about one and a half million yards per year; the maximum capacity, however, is one and three-fourth million yards within that period. This material is all bagging and is shipped South for baling cotton. He has in connection with the factory fourteen acres of ground, upon which fourteen tenement houses, that are furnished at low rates for the benefit of those employed about the works.

And last, though not least, as an outgrowth of the above, Mr. Boyce has very recently completed one of the finest blocks of buildings in the city. It is two stories high; in dimensions, 125x80 feet, containing five first-class business rooms on the first floor, and a number of fine office rooms, etc., in the second story. The total cost of this building will not fall below $25,000. It is the purpose of the proprietor to have the entire building heated by steam - now it is supplied throughout with water and gas. This block is situated on the north side of Main street west of Jefferson, in the largest room of which, on first floor, the firm of Boyce & Brundage, carry on an extensive dry goods store, and, in a smaller room, a boot and shoe store.

On the same side of the street and east of Jefferson, he will also the present year build another block of buildings, a portion of the new block being already under way - the design of which is for an agricultural depot, 31x110 feet in size - the remaining portion of the area, ninety-six feet deep, will be occupied by another building to be used in connection with the main one. All the buildings will be two stories high - good, plain and substantial buildings, well adapted to the wants of the business.

Hub And Spoke Factory

Ed C. Anthony, in June, 1877, built a saw-mill and put in a cireular-saw and other necessary machinery, and, in the fall of the same year, he put in machinery for the manufacture of heading. Both branches of business were run by him until the fall of 1879, when they passed into the hands of S. P. Anthony, who at once converted it into a spoke and hub factory, and these works were operated by him until the beginning of the year 1880, at which time Ed Lewis became a partner, and ~ the business was conducted under the firm name of Anthony & Lewis. In July following, Mr. Lewis retired, and since that time Mr. Anthony has had sole control. The mill is situated immediately north of the old Anthony home, in Anthonytown, and the machinery is driven by a 10x36 engine, and consists of the following: One cross-cut-saw, three strip-saws, three handle-turning lathes, one boring machine, one chucking, boring and bending machine, besides a number of additional saws, etc. Near the "Six Mile House," on the Wheeling Pike; he has a sawmill which furnishes the necessary lumber. The old saw-mill machinery first put in here still stands unused. With the facilities of machinery possessed by the works, under the careful management of the Superintendent, present. and ultimate success are assured. -

Davis Spoke And Hub Factory

Located on the south side of Adams street, between Beacon and Hackley streets, is a large frame building, the main part of which is two stories high, the larger portion extending south, being only one story. These buildings were erected in 1859, by J. A. Heinsohn, then recently from Louisville, Ky., for the purpose of a flax factory. The mills, after being fitted up according to the requirements of such an

~The material manufactured was flax-tow, which was shipped from here to the main factory at Louisville, where it was manufactured into bagging, cordage, and rope for cotton bales in the South - the factory at this point being simply an auxiliary to that at Louisville. From twenty to thirty hands were employed in the works here, and a large portion of what is now Kirby's Additions to Muncie, in a large field, were used for drying purposes.

For a number of years after the works were suspended, the buildings remained idle. Subsequently, they were fitted up anew, and used for a foundry and machine-shop, by Samuel W. Harlan and Phelps. After the works had been operated for a short time, Mr. Harlan withdrew, and they were operated by M. Phelps alone. They were finally closed, a few months later, and the machinery taken out.

Again the buildings were unoccupied until 1879, when they were a second time refitted, this time as a hub and spoke factory, by W. T. Davis, of Allen County, Ind., who had for a long time previously been engaged in this and the wood-finishing business, but more recently in the planingmill of Mong & Willard, in this place, which he had leased for one year.

Mr. Davis, having fitted up anew the old buildings and put in the necessary machinery - engine, boiler, etc.. - began the manufacture of spokes and hubs. The expense of this change amounted to about the sum of $4,000. The engine and boiler were furnished by C. L. Olds & Co., of Fort Wayne, and is a forty-five-horse power, running in all nine pieces of machinery, consisting of saws, lathes,.reamers, boringmachines, ete. This is now one of the leading manufacturing establishments in Muncie, employing constantly eighteen men and boys, his weekly pay-roll amounting to $125. These men and boys turn out about $2,000 worth of material per month, which is, as with most Indiana wooden material, shipped all over the continent, and beyond. A side-track to the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad furnishes the most ample facilities for loading and unloading material. The business is in every sense thriving; the large amount of material kept on hand, in addition to the almost continual shipments abroad, indicates unmistakably the magnitude of the enterprise and its judicious management.

In connection with this factory, James Muir, of Lima, Ohio, has recently erected and put in operation a stave and heading factory. Although these works were only put in operation in August, 1879, their success is assured beyond a peradyenture, and now more than five thousand staves per day are turned out. The works have a capacity equal to double that amount. The heading machinery was put in in the fall of 1880, and started up a short time afterward.

Muncie Steam Coiled Hoop Company

The organization of this company was effected by the coming together, for a common purpose, of A. R. Brown, Thad A. Neely, William Patterson, Lyman R. Baldwin, E. B. Bishop, Robert Seaton and others, in 1872, as a joint-stock company, to manufacture coil hoops, the capital stock of which was made to represent $30,000, distributed in shares among the several stockholders. |

The first location was near the present site of Wysor, Haines & Co.'s Machine Works, where they remained for about one year, and afterward erected more extensive buildings immediately south of the Bee Line depot. These buildings were frame, two stories high, and well adapted to the purposes contemplated in their erection. In 1875, they were destroyed by fire.

Furniture Manufactory

A short time after the organization of the company, J. E. McKendry was admitted as a partner with Mr. Bishop'in his personal stock, Mr. Brown, in the meantime, having disposed of his stock and retired. Subsequently, Messrs. Brown and Bishop transferred their stock to the heading factory, situated a short distance to the southwest from their factory, then operated by McKendry & Co., but afterward destroyed by a boiler explosion. | FURNITURE MANUFACTORY.

its great high back, down to the modern, convenient, upholstered rocker, from the old-fashioned Dutch bureau down to the modern fancy dressing case. |

The manufactory - a substantial two-story brick, the main building of which is 27x60 feet, and the engine-room 25x14 feet - was erected in 1872, and is located on the east side of Elm street, north of Main. The cost of these buildings was $1,500, and the machinery, engine and other fixtures as much more, making the aggregate cost of $3,000. The engine is a 9x18 twenty-horse power, and drives all the various machinery of the establishment, such as planers, saws, turning-lathes, routingmachines, ete. Five hundred dollars' worth of additional machinery has been supplied. The present salesroom is on the south side of Main

Feather Duster Factory

In the autumn of 1874, John W. Little, having conceived the idea of a substantial yet cheap feather duster, consummated his plans and began the manufacture, in a very small way, of the " Little Feather Duster,' This duster is a marvel of ingenuity, and, while simple in its construction, cost much time and patience in bringing it to perfection. The feathers, which are the short ones, that, previous to the discovery by Mr. Little, were useless, are sewed to a flexible band, and then wound and secured to a wooden handle. Mr. Little at first carried on his work in a small room in the Little Block. Afterward, when the demands of an increased trade made more capacious quarters necessary, he secured rooms in the Star Building, on the east side of public square, where where he now carries on a very extensive and lucrative trade, employing from fifteen to twenty hands constantly, and consumes about twenty thousand pounds of feathers annually. - The labor is all performed by female help, because best adapted to that species of work. The current year, he will turn out about fifty thousand brushes, for shipment to all parts of the country. These brushes were patented ebruary 3, 1874, October 26, 1875, and June 13, 1876. Various styles are made with long and short handles. Various colors of feathers are produced by chemical appliances; when combined, they present a very neat, tasty and artistic appearance.

The Muncie Roller Skate

This is an enterprise which, though yet in its incipiency, bids fair to become one of the important industries of Muncie. The uncertainty and irregularity which, for some years past, have characterized the winters of our climate, have had the effect of increasing the popularity of roller-skating rinks; and an article to meet the demand was invented by W. F. Cornelius, and patented, March 25, 1879, by W. F. Cornelius and Thad A. Neely, of Muncie, It has a malleable-iron bottom, which, by means of a set-screw, can be adjusted to conform to the size of any foot. The rollérs, of which their are eight to each pair of skates, are made of the best of box-wood. :

Messrs. Neely & Cornelius began the manufacture of the skate in 1879, at a little room in the Opera House at Muncie, and, during the first year were chiefly occupied in perfecting and introducing their invention. They only manufactured from 150 to 175 pairs that year. September 25, 1880, Mr. Neely purchased the interest of his associate, and began to push the enterprise vigorously. He fitted up a shop at home and employed an adequate number of men, advertising the invention extensively. Soon orders began to pour in from all quarters, beyond his capacity for manufacturing, and, since he assumed the exclusive control of the business, he has manufactured and sold upward of five thousand pairs. During the coming spring, he will extend his facilities for manufacturing, and be able to keep. pace with the growing popularity of the skate. It has received very flattering testimonials from

J. M. Cook, Chicago, the champion skater of the Northwest; Robert Bussing, Manager Brooklyn (N. Y.) Rink; W. T. Seal, Secretary Philadelphia Roller Skating Co.; W. R. Goodall, Philadelphia; O. D. Charles, Rome, Ga.; and other experts. : of 1880, and erected a saw-mill in Kirby's Sixth Addition to the city and near the Muncie & Wheeling Turnpike and the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad, and, about the middle of May, commenced operations. They operate a circular saw and strip saws, and get out all kinds of material for bent work and ship them to various points all over the.country. They also buy and manufacture annually, large quantities of hard wood lumber, ash, oak and walnut. The engine is twelve by twenty inches, and furnishes ample power. They employ in all about fifteen hands, and disburse for materials and for help, at this point, about $3,000 per month. The building is a good, substantial frame, and, together with the machinery, it cost about $3,000. The grounds have been leased for a period of five years, with the privilege of purchase. Mr. Johnson is the Manager. They use also, in part, material

Henry Alfrey erected a frame building in Kirby's Sixth Addition to Muncie in July, 1880, and fitted it up with the necessary machinery for manufacturing heading, and, about the middle of the month commenced business, and, from that time until the 1st day of October, turned out 500,000 pieces of heading. He then had a further contract for supplying 900,000 pieces in fourteen months. He has in his employ ten hands in' the factory, besides considerable additional help in the country. In the manufacturing department, he uses the various cut-off and heading saws, all run by a 20x12 forty-horse power engine. Although Mr. Alfrey has recently commenced business here, his activity thus far is a sure guaranty of his future success. The factory is situated a short distance southwest of the pork house, in the addition above cited.

Pump Factory

Karly among the pump-makers in Muncie were Frederick Miller and Henry Snyder. They were engaged in the manufacture of wooden pumps, many of which are still in use in the surrounding country.

Charles Rickert was also engaged in the same business. Prior to 1876, Charles Gift was for several years in the manufacture of pumps, in a frame building on the east side of Jefferson street, between Main and Jackson, the present site of the Mineral Water Factory. He plied the business successfully until March, 1876, when he sold out to Caleb G. Puckett, who remained in the same quarters until the succeeding September. At that time, he moved his factory to the north end of

High street, north of Washington, present site of Streeter Bros.' Pack. ing and Produce Exchange. This latter building he occupied until November 1, 1877. Just previous to that time, however, he formed a partnership with Ephraim Smell, and removed to their present location, at the northwest corner of High and Washington streets, in the old frame building erected and occupied by Job Swain as a dry-goods store in an early day.

The firm of Puckett & Smell continued until in March, 1880, when Samuel Martin was admitted, thus forming the present firm of Puckett, Smell & Martin. This business, whether conducted by C. Puckett, Puckett & Smell, or as it is now - Puckett, Smell & Martin - has been successfully operated. The "Puckett Pump," as it is called, manufactured by this firm, is widely known, and very popular in all the counties contiguous to Delaware, wherever they have been used. Mr. Puckett is a pioneer pump man, his father having been engaged in the business in Randolph County, Ind., for many years. Caleb learned the trade with his father, commencing when he was sixteen years of age and continuing to the present time. The old mode of manufacture was to go and solicit from the farmer, with all the necessary tools, and take up bed and board, and manufacture the pump from timber selected on the farm. This sometimes occupied two men a number of days. Like all classes of manufacture, the wooden pump has kept pace with the times, and has been improved to meet the demand. Compared with the old wooden pumps of our grandfathers, the Puckett pump is a marvel of ingenuity, durability and beauty.

The firm employs two wagons and two men, who distribute their pumps over the surrounding country. They have manufactured, up to this time (October 1, 1880), 550 this year, nearly all of which have been put in. They run their boring and turning machinery by a portable steam engine. They manufacture all of the various sizes, besides a very neat box pump, that compares favorably, in point of finish, with any pump manufactured. They use altogether the porcelain chamber, and make all the fittings of hard wood, making a durable and practicable pump. The sizes run from five to seven inches, and vary in prices from $4 to $10 per stock.