Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 171, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1911 — INTERESTING NOTES FROM THE FACTORY ADDITION. [ARTICLE]

INTERESTING NOTES FROM THE FACTORY ADDITION.

Big Force at Work .Turning Ont Cement Blocks—Many Improvements to Be Made in Addition. The factory addition is now a busy place and in a few days one will be able to'get some idea of the magnitude of this undertaking and what it will mean to the business interests of Rensselaer. A fine well of water was struck yesterday at a depth of 63 feet. The water raises in ’ the well to within about three feet of the surface. A force pump has been installed temporarily, but in a day or two a gasoline engine will be attached to a special pump at the well, and this z will supply water until the city mains are extended to the addition. Now that water has been secured the stork will progress rapidly, and the work oh the foundation of the warehouse will begin today. 7

A force of 15 men is at work making cement blocks and the force will be increased as soon as other machines and another cement mixer arrives. Over 600 cement blocks are being turned out dally. The blocks are of three sizes, 8x10x24 inches to be used in the warehouse, and 8x8x24 and Bxßxl6 to be used in the factory building. Sixteen men are engaged in hauling sand and gravel. The sand costs $1.75 delivered, which is rather expensive and when the immediate needs are supplied it is hoped to be able to ship in sand and gravel on the Monon at a much less price. The factory building proper will require from 18,000 to 20,000 blocks, and the warehouse 5,000. The main building will be 76 feet in its narrowest jsart, 136 feet in the widest part, and 187 feet long. It will be 37 feet high, containing 2 stories, with a balcony on the top floor, the match making machines -being located on the second floor. The warehouse will be 30x110 feet, and will be flreproof and divided into compartments holding a car load of matches each. In case of fire it cannot spread from one compartment to another. The warehouse will not be connected with the factory building. It will be one story in height and built of steel and cement. The grading of the switch has been completed and a force of men are at Monon awaiting orders to lay the rails and ties as soon as they arrive. The track will be alongside the buildings on the north, where goods can be easily loaded from the warehouse. Another carload of machinery is expected today. ' ' / . It is the intention of the company to erect ten or twelve cement houses for the use of the employes as soon as they can get to it; grade the streets and place stone on them, and lay several hundred feet of cement sidewalks "and set out trees, and then place the unsold lots on the market for use of those who want to build. A 10-inch sewer will be laid from the factory building to the Bedford drain, which empties into the river. It is thought this will furnish sufficient drainage, for the present at least. One of the employes brought here from Elkhart already has his family with him and has rented a house down town until a residence can be built for him. Another employe expects his wife next week and a house will have to be provided for him.