Page 114 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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SAN ANTONIO-HER TRADE,
almost indispensable contributor to our facilities for both personal adorn-
ment and house furnishing. The art of manufacturing jewelry dates from
a time when "the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." It has
come down to us through the dim and obscure traditions of the past.
Savage tribes even make some effort to fashion ornaments from the prec-
ious metals. They are mentioned frequently in the Bible. So it seems to
have been an instinctive characteristic of the human race, from its creation.
Nearly the same may be said of engraving. The art was practiced at very
remote periods, mention being made of the work of the engraver in Exo-
dus xxxv, 35. The Greeks esteemed it among the fine arts, according to
Herodotus, 500 B. C. Plating is a modern invention. Electro-metallurgy
is the art of separating the metals from their solutions and depositing them
in solid form by means of the electric current, excited by the voltaic bat-
tery or magneto-electric machine. The metal may also be precipitated, so
as to adhere permanently upon the surface of objects, either for the pur-
pose of ornamenting or strengthening. This branch of the art is called
electro-plating, or simply plating. Wollaston used it in 180i, but it was
not until Thos. Spencer made his experiments in 1837, that any practical
importance was attached to it. The art was taken up by practical men
about 1840 and rapidly perfected, so that it is now extensively applied to
minister in a great variety of ways to the wants of mankind. It is an art
requiring practical experience, fair abilities, and some acquaintance with
chemical and philosophical workings. There are but few establishments
devoted to this combination of useful trades in the South. The only one
in Texas is that of Messrs. Doe & Engelke, established in 1884, not only
with ample resources and mechanical appliances, but a valuable practical
experience of twenty years. From the start, being thorough, practical
mechanics, with good business ability, industry and courage, and, of equal
importance, conducting their business upon principles of honor and integ-
rity, they have succeeded. There are in this, as in most business callings,
opportunities for deceiving by slighting work, using poor or fraudulent
metals, misrepresentation, etc., but these gentlemen have firmly estab-
lished their reputation for honest work and square dealing. Their work
is their best recommendation their motto, "quality not quantity." They
manufacture jewelry in any style and for whatsoever purposes needed,
engrave on metals and wood, strictly after pattern or design furnished, and
plate with all the precious metals—gold, silver, nickel—plating handsome-
ly, thoroughly and durably any article desired. Their factory is conveni-
ently located at No. 8 Houston street. It is commodious and well-adapted
to their purposes, 30 by 100 feet in dimensions, fully equipped with all
necessary modern machinery and mechanical and scientific appliances.
Power is supplied by a steam engine of ten-horse power. Parker Doe and
B. Engelke are the members of the firm. Their transactions radiate
throughout this State, reaching already some $10,000 annually. They are
capable, intelligent business men and artists, enterprising and progressive,
and worthy of patronage, encouragement and consideration.