History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. One of the-surprises of modern times, unknown before the advent of the telegraph and the railroad but standing out more clearly in very recent years, is the rapid growth of important business enterprises. Not like Jonah's gourd, which we are told sprang up in a night and disappeared the next day, are many of these magnificent creations of the marvelous brain of man. Some of them assumed tangible shape quickly, but fostered and encouraged by genius, they have grown from a slender sapling to a great tree which, like the banyan, gives shelter to thousands. In the list of great modern enterprises should be named the Vincennes Bridge Company. Conceived only ten years ago and starting only as a little factory with a small financial foundation but great expectations, the Vincennes Bridge Company has gained a name which is known all over the world and is today one of the largest manufactories of highway bridges in existence. Its output of twelve hundred bridges yearly fails to meet the constantly increasing demand and extensive plans are made for large additions. The plant is thoroughly modern and is supplied with all the ma chinery and devices for fabricating the iron and steel into shape and redue ing the material to sizes convenient for transportation and handling, at the place of consignment. This plant is one of the most important works. At Vincennes and as its output has already reached a million dollars a year,. The prospect of largely increased capacity is regarded with unmixed grati fication by everybody interested in the welfare and growth of the city.