One of the assets accredited to Washington was the well-equipped plant of the Beaufort Iron Works, owned and operated by E. R. Swindell. This was a modern machine shop, brass and iron foundry. Electric and acetylene welding was another feature of the business. The original plant was destroyed by fire in June, 1935; the present quarters shown in accompanying pictures are temporary. Nine men were employed here. The equipment was modern; one special feature was a 160-ton hydraulic press. This business represented an investment of $8,000. Mr. Swindell was a member of the Board of Alderman of the City of Washington. This business was over thirty years old starting back in 1900. Shown above are some of the installed pieces of modern machinery that went along toward bringing this plant up to a maximum efficiency.