[LB063319], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Herman Ernest Dick, January 12th, 1899
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB063319
Transcription
Jany 12, 99 My Dear Dick I think it would be well to inform the Syndicate that I was compelled to shut down the Mills at Edison for the reason that when the severe cold weather came on, I could not keep enough men on the mountain to operate the mills. We had no accommodations and the mountaineers who compose half the force could not reach the works on account of snow. I had lumber and started in building houses, but could not get Carpenters so we concluded to stop (Dec 20th). In the spring I shall erect 100 laborer houses and then start up again. Everything towards the last got working well. The Briquetting plant worked perfect, Our one difficulty in a technical way was the cracking of the shells o the 3 high rolls, in the future I shall make them solid_ On the last day I took my best men and with only one shovel and one dumping crane we put through the crushing plant 1350 tons of ore in 7 hours and 30 minutes. I shall now have time at the Laboratory to design a whole series of commercial crushing, screening conveying machinery. May draughtsmen are here. We have nearly completed the model of the 3 high roll for Portland Cement grinding for which there is a good sale in this country I will have the blueprints of the 2000 tons will now being erected by the New Jersey Zinc Co got out at once as you request. This mill to my mind is a good unit for the Rand ores. It will crush 1300 tons 40 mesh fine in 20 hours with not more than 10 men on a shift and not produce excess of slimes to interfere with with cyaniding. A 600 ton mill would cost 66% of this one. Yours Edison