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��HISTOEY OF KICHLAND COUNTY.
��and I don' t think anybody down this way is fool enough now to buy one, for so many of the farmers get mad now when a man says endless-apron thresher to them, that they get only a small amount of work, and that the poorest pay, generally ; and, besides this, the repairs for their machines is an awful big item. When I first got my machine from you, the farmers wouldn't believe how much I could save them ; but now, if I want to make any of them swear, I can do it by saying I intend threshing with an endless-apron machine next year. If you want any more information about my thresher, let me know. Considering the time I have run my ma^ chine, and the amount of grain I have threshed, I don't think it has cost me more than one-half as much for repairs as other kinds, perhaps not over one-third as much.
Three years later, Mr. Darling reiterates his sentiments. He also states he has purchased an Allona's Clover-hulling Attachment, an engine, and other improvements, with all of which he is equally well pleased, and all of which, he says, ■•' add hundreds of value to the thi'esher, and to the profits yearly made by its work."
Letters like his could be continued indefi- nitel}", but space forbids their insertion.
The JMansfleld Machine Works is one of the oldest manufacturing establishments in the cit}', having been established about 1840 by Hall & Allen, afterward Hall & Simmons. These gentlemen conducted the business about tAvent3'-five years in the old building on North Main street, manufacturing engines, mill ma- chinery, etc.; in later years, their principal business was the manufacture of the famous Buckeye Reaper and Mower. The quality of their goods gave the works a good reputation, which has not only been maintained but largely added to. The old Buckeye was, in its da}^, considered one of the best, if not the best, ma- chine of its- kind in the country. It had an extensive reputation and sale, the Mansfield Machine Works turning out, at one time, about 1,000 or more annually. 3Iore improved and probably better machiner}- has since taken its place.
��In the latter part of July, 1865, Messrs. H. Colby, A. L. Grimes, E. H. Rees, M. Day, Jr., and E. Sturges, Sr., organized a stock company, with a cash capital of $50,000, purchased the works, at that time owned by Hall & Simmons, and gave them the name of " Mansfield IMa- chine Works," and engaged in the manufac- ture of foundry castings, steam engines, circu- lar and muley saw-mills, plows, turbine water- wheels, etc.; also continued the manufacture of reapers and mowers. E. H. Reece was Super- intendent. This company did an extensive business, and purchased the Bl3"myer, Day & Co. Works, on East Diamond street.
At a meeting of the stockholders, January 5, 1874, A. B. Beverstock, Z. S. Stocking, D. Struble, E. P. Sturges, A. L. Grimes, N. Abbott and J. H. Cook were elected Directors. Z. S. Stocking was made President, and A. L. Grimes Secretary. Soon afterward, Mr. Abbott was chosen Superintendent, and under his eflflcient and energetic management the works were pushed to their utmost capacity, and soon ne- cessitated removing from the old works on Main street to the more commodious Ijuilding which they now occup}- on East Diamond. This change occurred in 1877. These works had been erected by Blj-myer, Day & Co., and were for some 3'ears used for the manufacture of Cook's Evaporator and other machinery. The building is imposing in appearaaice, and the works and grounds quite extensive. They are nearer to the railroad, and therefore more convenient for shipping purposes than the other works.
At their last election, the old Directors were re-elected, with the exception of Mr. Stocking, and the former officers re-elected, Avith the exception that Willis M. Sturges was made Treasurer, and A. A. Peck Secretar}-.
From reports submitted, it is apparent that the business, especially during the last two 3'ears, has been highly prosperous and remu- nerative. The compau}' has had an extensive
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