|
Democratic Watchman September 22 1899, page 4
THE PHOENIX FLOURING MILLS
A Sketch of One the Oldest Industries of Town - A Plant that Is Unique In its History and Distinguished by Having Been the First of its Kind in the World - Though Burned Twice it Arose Phoenix-Like from its Ashes - What Energetic Young Management is Doing for the Mill.
"The Phoenix flouring mill of Bellefonte has had a reputation for years that has not been confined to local trade by any means, but few of the people who pass the substantial buff brink building, with the two great sentinel-like grain tanks, every day are conversant with the history it has made during the many years of operation.
Almost coincidental with the history of Bellefonte is that of the plant which devolved the one presented in the picture below. It was founded by Jas. Harris, one of the incorporators of the town, very early in the century, probably about 1824. Realizing that the fruition of his dreams of fostering a prosperous settlement in this community would bring with its healthy demand for necessary commodities he took early steps, in anticipation of such needs, to establish manufactories of the most needful sort. Woolen mills, tanneries, iron forges, grist mills and wagon making shops were all encouraged by James Harris and his fellow pioneer John Dunlop, but of all the plants that were famous before the forties the Phoenix mill is the sole survivor. It is true that there is nothing of the modern plant to recall the original more than the site, but the change on the exterior has been due to the fire's destructive agency, rather than to the ravages of time, for the first building was substantial enough to have lasted for ages and roomy enough to have accommodated the present improved milling apparatus.
The original mill was a two-story stone structure that stood on the site of the present one on Logans Branch, a short distance south of its confluence with Spring creek. At the time it was built that location was practically a wilderness and the mill was quite removed from the centre of town. Now it is in the heart of one of the most substantial additions to the town and the property has been so highly improved as to be an ornament rather than a nuisance. It flourished under the management of James Harris and his descendents - until 1845, when fire destroyed the mill. By that time several other grist mills had sprung up in this community and the demand for its rebuilding was not imperative, so that the ruins laid for sixteen years; passing from Harris' control to that of W. A. Thomas and then to the Phoenix company in the interim.
In 1861 Maj. Wm. F. Reynolds bought the property and began the work of re building at once. The new building was a three story stone and wood structure equipped with the Noye system of rolls; which at that time were supposed to be the very best in operation. It had a daily capacity of 80 bbls. and soon gained a reputation for the superiority of its product. Maj. Reynolds operated the plant himself for one year, but soon discovered that his banking and other interests would have to be sacrificed in order to give it the needed time so he leased it to T. R. Reynolds & Co. in 1862. The new concern included T. R. Reynolds, S. H. Reynolds and Geo. W. Jackson. Under their management the mill was unusually successful. Its trade grew so large and profitable that the old system had to be torn out and the latest Noye improvements substituted. This was done in 1881, thereby making it the first roller process mill in the country. Shortly afterwards the firm of T. R. Reynolds & Co. was dissolved and it is said that each of the three partners took $100,000 out as his share of the profits of the business.
Geo. W. Jackson remained in the business, taking for his partner Col. W. Fred Reynolds and organizing under the firm name of Geo. W Jackson & Co. They made further improvements to the property, increasing its capacity to 100 bbls, per day, but the period it was under their control proved one of small profits in the milling business all over the country and in 1892 Col. Reynolds retired. Mr. Jackson continued the - business alone until his death, which occurred in November 1897. When he died the mill stopped grinding for the first time in thirty-six years. -
The plant was too valuable, to remain idle for any length of time. Its location, magnificent water power and reputation for superior products induced Col. Reynolds to go into it again. Accordingly he joined with Joseph L. Montgomery in organizing the Phoenix Milling Co. and the two gentlemen at once set about to remodel. Doubtless it will seem to readers, of this sketch that remodeling must have been one of the greatest works at the Phoenix mills. It was done frequently but you must remember that the mill always maintained a reputation for high grade products and, furthermore, there is no branch of manufacture that has undergone more - radical and frequent change within the past twenty years than that of flour making. Messrs. Reynolds and Montgomery completed their work of installing the latest roller system and had erected two monster grain tanks when the fire, April 21st, 1898, that was so disastrous to that end of the town destroyed the plant for the second time.
Nothing daunted by this misfortune they set about to rebuild at once and by the fall of '98 the present handsome building was completed. Though not as large in extent of ground covered as either of the old mills had been it is far more compact and built especially for modern machinery so that the floor space is most economically used, while giving ample room for all the requirements of the plant.
It is built of cream-colored brick and is in splendid proportion for its purposes. The machinery is the very latest device of the Edward P. Allis company of Milwaukee. In fact the Phoenix mill was the first on earth to be equipped with this system and in consequence is known everywhere as the model mill, because the system has proven the most successful ever invented. The apparatus includes a full line of Gray roller mills, with latest improved shaker feeds and roll exhaust, Perfection dust collectors, two large Universal bolters, three Reliance middling purifiers, Gray sentrifugals and a full line of wheat cleaners, flour and bran packers. The mill has a capacity of 200 bbls. every 24 hours. The power for running it is furnished by two turbine water wheels to which the water is conducted in steel flume, giving-it a much stronger shot and doing away with the danger of washouts in a tail race. The power from one wheel - is used to operate the mill proper, while the other runs the feed and corn meal side.
While the Phoenix company enjoys quite a large domestic trade the most of their product is exported. The New York and Baltimore graders have ranked it "with 'the standard flours of America" and it finds ready sale everywhere. The brands are: "Superlative," a spring wheat patent; Patent, " a blended winter and spring wheat product; "Finest Patent Winter," all winter wheat, and "White Star," a straight winter grade. The last brand is the one that made the Phoenix mill of Bellefonte famous in the past, but the march of improvement has finally set it lowest in the qualities now produced at this plant, though it is yet superior to the best of many other mills. In addition to the flour trade the Phoenix manufactures large quantities of bolted corn-meal and feeds, all of superior quality.
The plant is under control of Mr. J. V. Ball, formerly of Trenton, N. J., experienced both in spring and winter wheat grinding; while Wash Irvin, who has been since boyhood in' the local mills, is his first assistant.
The value of such property is very hard to estimate; especially since no figure could he placed on the water power it controls. Aside from that the plant is said to be worth $35,000; a pretty likely sum for a mill property, but that is not the most of it, for when running full it will consume one thousand bushels of wheat a day which grinds into money very rapidly.
Everything is complete - about the place. The interior of the mill is as clean and dustless as a tidy parlor. It is lighted by electricity and heated by steam. The packing department and ware house at the southern side opens right onto the private mill siding. The grain tanks are arranged so as to facilitate receiving and shipping grains, all being conveyed from cars, to mill, to tank or wherever wanted by a series of pneumatic tubes.
Col. Reynolds and Mr. Montgomery both have reason to he proud of the Phoenix. As manufactory it is a model and the' remarkable business it is building up is a credit to the sagacity and thorough conception of good flour making of the gentlemen, as well as to all employed about the plant.
A visit of inspection would prove interesting and there is always someone ready to explain the workings of the various machines.
|
|
