Eberly, Effingham Co., Ill., March 26, ’72.
Nordyke, Marmon & Co.:—
Sirs:—We received the mill and sent the balance by express due on it as agreed. We have tried it in making meal, feed, &c., and I believe we can grind faster and better of corn and feed than you said in your circular and letter. You do not rate their capacity enough. I think you could sell more if you did. I did not see or write to any of those you referred me to, I never broached or questioned your integrity or business; the question was simply on what terms you would sell me the mill, as regards payments, as there are many who sell on partial payments, this was all.
Yours, truly,
Henry Traver.
Custom 17 Miles, and Pass Four Other Mills.
Monitor Mills, Monitor, Tippecanoe Co., Ind.,
May 12, 1872.
Nordyke, Marmon & Co.:—
Gents:—We have concluded to write how our mills work, supposing you would be glad to hear of the success of your work. A great many practical men have been here since we started up, and they all say with us that it beats anything they ever saw. One mill near us has entirely stopped for the want of business since we have got established. It is of the old style heavy gear and large stones. Our custom trade averages over 1,000 bushels per month, and we buy wheat to keep up our demand for flour; we warrant every pound of flour, and so far not one complaint; our works, all complete, that we bought of you, give the very best satisfaction; our wheat is smutty here, but your cleaning machinery meets the case exactly, and our flour is clear as the most particular inspector could ask. It is no uncommon occurrence to get custom grinding from a certain district 17 miles from here where they have to come by four other mills. No more at present.
Redenbo, Fretz & Bro.
In a letter dated December 19, 1871, they say: Our custom has increased to from 90 to 145 bushels per day; doing this and our own grinding on the one run of 3 feet stones, keeps it going steady twenty hours out of the twenty-four. We have heard of you starting a new mill at Colburn, some 12 miles from us, and that it was not doing well; if this is the case it is in the bad management of it, as your mills, run with any degree of care, will grind as satisfactorily as any mills can. We have not had any expenses in repairing since we started, now about one year; do not try to fill orders for flour in LaFayette, nor could we if we tried.