work of its
projector. To tell the whole story in detail and show its logical
sequence, step by step, would take little less than a volume in itself,
for Edison's methods, always iconoclastic when progress is in sight,
were particularly so at the period in question. It has been said that
"Edison's scrap-heap contains the elements of a liberal education,"
and this was essentially true of the "discard" during the ore-milling
experience. Interesting as it might be to follow at length the numerous
phases of ingenious and resourceful development that took place during
those busy years, the limit of present space forbids their relation. It
would, however, be denying the justice that is Edison's due to omit all
mention of two hitherto unnamed items in particular that have added
to the world's store of useful devices. We refer first to the great
travelling hoisting-crane having a span of two hundred and fifteen feet,
and used for hoisting loads equal to ten tons, this being the largest
of the kind made up to that time, and afterward used as a model by many
others. The second item was the ingenious and varied forms of conveyor
belt, devised and used by Edison at the concentrating works, and
subsequently developed into a separate and extensive business by an
engineer to whom he gave permission to use his plans and patterns.

Edison's native shrewdness and knowledge of human nature was put to
practical use in the busy days of plant construction. It was found
impossible to keep mechanics on account of indifferent residential
accommodations afforded by the tiny village, remote from civilization,
among the central mountains of New Jersey. This puzzling question was
much discussed between him and his associate, Mr. W. S. Mallory, until
finally he said to the latter: "If we want to keep the men here we must
make it attractive for the women--so let us build some houses that will
have running water and electric lights, and rent at a low rate." He set
to work, and in a day finished a design for a type of house. Fifty were
quickly built and fully described in advertising for mechanics. Three
days' advertisements brought in over six hundred and fifty applications,
and afterward Edison had no trouble in obtaining all the first-class men
he required, as settlers in the artificial Yosemite he was creating.

We owe to Mr. Mallory a characteristic story of this period as to
an incidental unbending from toil, which in itself illustrates the
ever