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The Southern Porcelain Works, On Wednesday we had the pleasure of a stroll through the Southern Porcelain Works at “Kaolin,” on the South Carolina road, six miles from the city. These works were com menced some years since, but were destroyed by fire during the war. Early last spring,a number of the stockhold ers concluded to “ begin again,” and push an enterprise. Which, properly conducted, seems to promise much in favor of true Southern in dependence. Accordingly, the President, Col. Bullock, gave the agent and manager, Dr. Schaub, carte blanche to proceed to the re-es tablishment of the works. During our brief visit we had an opportunity to observe the satisfac tory manner in which the Doctor has discharg ed his duties. The clay from which the porcelain ware is manufactured is found in inexhaustible quanti ty beneath the soil to the extent of hundreds of acres in the vicinity of the works. This day is of extraordinary purity, entirely free from sand or grit, thus saying to the manufacturers engaged in the business a very tedious and cost ly operation, which would otherwise become necessary. From the hill-side near the works this clay is excavated, hauled to a shed and al lowed to dry before it is ready for use. When ready, the clay is ground, then mixed with Feldspar, flint, c., in different tubs or vats. This mixing operation is effected by machinery similar in construction to patent churns that we have seen, and kept in motion by a power ful steam engine, located in an adjoining room. From these vats the composition, now of the consistency of a thin paste or batter, is passed through sclves into the “ slip kiln”—an oblong basin, built of fire-brick—manufactured at these works—where it is prepared for the workmen’s hands. Thus prepared, it is transferred to the “ Pot tery Shop,” where it is moulded into the many different shapes of bowl and pitcher, cups and saucers—in fact, into all the numerous vessels which the ware is so wont to assume while “clay in the hands of the potter.” For circu lar ware 2 machine is used to give it shape, called a “pigger,” which is operated like a hand-lathe. In this shop are employed none but the most experienced workmen—artisans who have “served their time” and learned their trades in potteries, either in the “ old country” or the United States. Mr. H. R. Lawton, the chief potter, is an Englishman, and has had many years experience in the business in his native land. We were much pleased with the neat and tidy appearance of the operatives in this, as well as the other departments, of the manufactory.— Two or three young lads and a number of girls were engaged upon the lighter and plainer articles. The ware is now taken into the “green room,” where it remains until such time as it may be ready for burning the first time, when it is carefully placed in “ niggers”—ovgal-shaped earthen-ware ovens, or bake dishes, house keepers would call them—these “ saggers” and contents are placed in the kiln, one above the other, and subjected to an intense heat for thir ty-six or forty hours. One more process and the ware is ready for market. This is the “glazing” process. After the ware is taken from the first furnace or kiln, it is dipped in the “ glaze’’—the composition of which is one of the secrets of the art—and again placed in a kiln where it undergoes an other baking process for forty-eight hours. This enterprise gives daily employment to about eighty operatives, the majority of them being white men who are earning wages suffi cient to support themselves and families, and which also enable them to lay by something for a rainy day. As we remarked in the outset the deposit of clay is inexhaustible. Hence immense quanti ties are being shipped to other manufactories of porcelain, 25 well as to paper factories. In deed the admirers of paper collars, fancy soaps, fine imported candies and many other things, 80 nice, because they are made a thousand miles hence, have never realized that they might be wearing, using or eating the Kaolin clay which abounds in such proximity to us. The quality of the ware now manufactured by the Southern Porcelain Company is equal to any “ Queen’s Ware” now made. The orders from the North and West are flattering testi monials in its favor, and we have no doubt that in less than another twelve-month the manufac tory will be doubled in size. To any of our readers at a loss to know what to do with themselves these dull days, we re commend a trip to the Porcelain works. Messrs. Mosher, Thomas and Schaub, of our city, and agents for the sale of this ware, will take pleas ure in furnishing parties with tickets of ad mission into the works. The Lecture To Niaut at Masonic Hat. Egypt, dark and terrible—Sinai, with its liv ing fire—Palestine, soft and beautiful in the evening light, yet red as if “stained with the blood of redemption’’—these are the sacred lands, the historic centers of our faith, through which an eye-witness of their scenery will lead us for three successive evenings. All are in terested. Let all attend. Cuurcu Roppep.—Yesterday afternoon St. Paul’s Church was entered and robbed of the aisle carpet and several lamps. It is supposed the thief was in danger of being caught, as the carpet was left hanging on the wall in the rear of the church. Have the robbers begun their fall business thus early ? Maaistratt’s Court—Judge McLaws, County Judge.—The negro charged with steal ing clothing from the dwelling of Mr. H. T. Nelson, after an examination, was detention.— The evidence did not warrant his determination. Another negro, named Egypt (!) was bound over to appear at the County Court in Septem ber. RecorpDEA’s Court.—One white man was fined one dollar and costs for a little disorderly conduct. Three negroes were fined and otherwise punished for disturbing the good order and peace of a small portion of the community. Flour.—The proprietor of the Excelsior Mills, T. P. Stovall, Esq., informs us that his quotations for flour are— Superfine, per bbl........+--- $13 50 Extra, atalene 15 00 Double Extra, per bbl.......--+- 16 00 A Nuisance.—Our attention has been called to a nuisance said to exist in the City Hall en closure. Will the Chief of Police see to it ? A Gumgo.—A banquet was given by the Phil adelphia press to the visiting brethren present at the Convention. Speeches were made by a goodly number, among whom we notice the name of Pollard, of the Richmond Examiner, George Francis Train, and Theodore Tilton of the New York Independent. A queer mixture— rather Spunky.—In the list of post offices in this State furnished by Mr. Reed, the name of Mrs. Reardon appears as post mistress at this place. This does her an injustice, as we are assured she scorned the ‘iron clad’ oath. [Ocela (Fla.) Banner. Taz Next Hoe Crop.—The Louisville Jour nal says that the prospect of a tremendous corn crop has given an extraordinary impetus to the hog trade, and feeders all over the State are in dustriously engaged in buying up stock hogs for fall and winter feeding.
Newspaper Details
Augusta Tri Weekly Constitutionalist
Augusta, Georgia, US
Fri, Aug 24, 1866
Page 3
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