Better with Bessemer

Friday, July 28, 1871

A group of about forty businessmen visit the Union Rolling Mill Company works on the South Branch of the Chicago River.  Their purpose is to witness the new Bessemer process of making steel, which promises expanded production capacity.  They arrive by a special train, which is delayed at the Burlington Crossing.  They spend two hours at the mill and are favorably impressed by what they see.  Union Rolling, which has invested $300,000 in this new technology, is the only facility west of Cleveland where steel is made by the Bessemer method.  Following the demonstration, the visitors return to their train, where luncheon is served.