Marietta Intelligencer, February 14, 1850
We see on every hand unmistakable evidence that a feeling has been awakened among nearly all classes of our citizens in favor of building up manufacturing establishments in Marietta. Those who have long felt an interest in the matter, but from various causes have “held back,” are now taking hold if the business, in one department and another, in good earnest, and those who a few years ago regarded such projects with indifference, or opposed them, have become satisfied, from the success of the experiments in the shoe business, and other branches of manufacturing, that the selling of dry goods is not the only kind of business at which men can make a living in Marietta. They see that the sale of goods, which was almost the sole business here for some years, does not give employment to so many persons as now derive their support in making up leather – a business that has grown up within eight years. And does any one suppose that, if merchandizing had continued to be the principal business of the place, our masons and carpenters would have found as constant employment as has been offered them for a year or two past? Would real estate have increased in value, and rents have advanced 50 to 100 per cent within three or four years, if the number of laborers had not been increased by commencing here the manufacture of articles formerly made abroad? Not at all. Every man can see that an entirely new impulse has been given to the prosperity of the place, by the success of experiments in manufacturing that were considered visionary. But, as usual when we get on to this hobby of town manufactures, we are forgetting the purpose with which we commenced this article – which was to speak of some of the new establishments that will commence operations this year.
First, the Woolen Factory is certainly to be built. We understand that differences of opinion among the stockholders as to the most eligible location, at one time threatened to “blow up” this company. But those differences have been happily reconciled by selecting a site which is perhaps better than either of those first contemplated. The property of Mr. Preston, near the mouth of the Muskingum has been purchased, and contracts made for the erection of a building 100 feet in length by 45 in width. The machinery will soon be under way, and it is hoped will be in operation in the course of the season. So the “Marietta Woolen Factory” may be considered a “fixed fact” – about which we shall have more to say hereafter.
The Steam Leather Manufactory, formerly owned by Mr. Thomas Vinton, but which has not been in operation for ten or twelve years, was last season purchased by Messrs. W. L. Rolston, N. L. Wilson, D. C. Skinner, and W. S. Nye, who are making additions to it, and will have it in complete operation in the course of two or three months. This will give employment to a good many men – will make a good market for hides, and tan bark, and will supply our numerous shoe establishments with a part of their stock. Why may not the many thousands of dollars annually sent from Marietta for the purchase of leather be paid out to laborers here, instead of sending our wheat and pork and beans away from home to pay for labor performed elsewhere?
Planing Machine and Sash Factory. Messrs R. P. Robinson, J. O. Cram, J. E. Hall, G. H. Richards, and O. Franks, have bought property near the old brick church on Third street, and expect to have machinery for planing, and for making sash, in operation early in May. We do not know the number of men they will employ, but we know that the employees of the concern will not be the only men benefited by it. Every man who has a house to build will reap some advantage from the establishment of this factory.
Cooperage. Slack barrels are now manufactured here by the excellent machinery of Messrs. Cram. A new, different, and more extensive establishment will soon be put in operation by Mr. A. B. Waters. It is for the manufacture of tight barrels, and the machinery is considered the best in use in the country. We know nothing of its operation, but some idea of its capacity to turn out work may be given by stating that the machine Mr. Waters has contracted for will work six millions of staves per annum. Probably it may not, at first, be worked to its utmost capacity, but whenever it is, employment will be given in the concern to from 100 to 125 men. The engine for running the machine has been bought, is now ready to put up, and will probably be running before another winter comes.
These are some of the more important establishment certainly to be put in operation here during the present year.
The favor with which the project for building a Cotton Factory is received by those who have reflected upon the subject, inclines us to the belief that we may soon make an important addition to the above list. It is believed that money invested in a Cotton Factory will pay the stockholders heavier dividends than stock in a Woolen Factory, tho’ we believe the latter will be of more general interest to the community, and has wisely been first commenced. It is said that a man who has had much experience in the business, and has always been successful, can now be obtained at a fair price to take charge of the erection of a building and the purchase of machinery, and that he will himself take stock. Such an opportunity of securing the services of a practical, experienced man, ought not to be neglected by the friends of the project. Now is the time to move in the matter.
Hand in hand with these local improvements should be prosecuted enterprises of equal importance to the town, and of vital interest to the agriculturists, who are to furnish the laborers here with food. Better roads must be built. At present half the farmers in this county are more than 50 miles from market. It actually costs many who live within 20 miles of Marietta more to get their produce to town than it would to bring it 50 miles if we had good roads. And they are not the only – though perhaps they are the most severe—sufferers. What merchant has not made a long face and drawn a heavy sigh, every day in the week, for two months past as he looked over his sales book? Goods plenty and “cheap for cash or produce” have laid undisturbed upon the shelves, because the produce could not be brought there, and men with cash could not come with it over such roads as we have – and will have, until plank roads are built. Improved roads are of vital public interest, and unless they are soon made in this county, every private enterprise will suffer and languish. Simultaneously with the improvement of roads, another enterprise should be undertaken, to wit: The erection of a Wire Suspension Bridge across the Muskingum. This is a work that will alike promote the prosperity of the two towns, and make them really one, as they now are in sympathy and interest.
We see on every hand unmistakable evidence that a feeling has been awakened among nearly all classes of our citizens in favor of building up manufacturing establishments in Marietta. Those who have long felt an interest in the matter, but from various causes have “held back,” are now taking hold if the business, in one department and another, in good earnest, and those who a few years ago regarded such projects with indifference, or opposed them, have become satisfied, from the success of the experiments in the shoe business, and other branches of manufacturing, that the selling of dry goods is not the only kind of business at which men can make a living in Marietta. They see that the sale of goods, which was almost the sole business here for some years, does not give employment to so many persons as now derive their support in making up leather – a business that has grown up within eight years. And does any one suppose that, if merchandizing had continued to be the principal business of the place, our masons and carpenters would have found as constant employment as has been offered them for a year or two past? Would real estate have increased in value, and rents have advanced 50 to 100 per cent within three or four years, if the number of laborers had not been increased by commencing here the manufacture of articles formerly made abroad? Not at all. Every man can see that an entirely new impulse has been given to the prosperity of the place, by the success of experiments in manufacturing that were considered visionary. But, as usual when we get on to this hobby of town manufactures, we are forgetting the purpose with which we commenced this article – which was to speak of some of the new establishments that will commence operations this year.
First, the Woolen Factory is certainly to be built. We understand that differences of opinion among the stockholders as to the most eligible location, at one time threatened to “blow up” this company. But those differences have been happily reconciled by selecting a site which is perhaps better than either of those first contemplated. The property of Mr. Preston, near the mouth of the Muskingum has been purchased, and contracts made for the erection of a building 100 feet in length by 45 in width. The machinery will soon be under way, and it is hoped will be in operation in the course of the season. So the “Marietta Woolen Factory” may be considered a “fixed fact” – about which we shall have more to say hereafter.
The Steam Leather Manufactory, formerly owned by Mr. Thomas Vinton, but which has not been in operation for ten or twelve years, was last season purchased by Messrs. W. L. Rolston, N. L. Wilson, D. C. Skinner, and W. S. Nye, who are making additions to it, and will have it in complete operation in the course of two or three months. This will give employment to a good many men – will make a good market for hides, and tan bark, and will supply our numerous shoe establishments with a part of their stock. Why may not the many thousands of dollars annually sent from Marietta for the purchase of leather be paid out to laborers here, instead of sending our wheat and pork and beans away from home to pay for labor performed elsewhere?
Planing Machine and Sash Factory. Messrs R. P. Robinson, J. O. Cram, J. E. Hall, G. H. Richards, and O. Franks, have bought property near the old brick church on Third street, and expect to have machinery for planing, and for making sash, in operation early in May. We do not know the number of men they will employ, but we know that the employees of the concern will not be the only men benefited by it. Every man who has a house to build will reap some advantage from the establishment of this factory.
Cooperage. Slack barrels are now manufactured here by the excellent machinery of Messrs. Cram. A new, different, and more extensive establishment will soon be put in operation by Mr. A. B. Waters. It is for the manufacture of tight barrels, and the machinery is considered the best in use in the country. We know nothing of its operation, but some idea of its capacity to turn out work may be given by stating that the machine Mr. Waters has contracted for will work six millions of staves per annum. Probably it may not, at first, be worked to its utmost capacity, but whenever it is, employment will be given in the concern to from 100 to 125 men. The engine for running the machine has been bought, is now ready to put up, and will probably be running before another winter comes.
These are some of the more important establishment certainly to be put in operation here during the present year.
The favor with which the project for building a Cotton Factory is received by those who have reflected upon the subject, inclines us to the belief that we may soon make an important addition to the above list. It is believed that money invested in a Cotton Factory will pay the stockholders heavier dividends than stock in a Woolen Factory, tho’ we believe the latter will be of more general interest to the community, and has wisely been first commenced. It is said that a man who has had much experience in the business, and has always been successful, can now be obtained at a fair price to take charge of the erection of a building and the purchase of machinery, and that he will himself take stock. Such an opportunity of securing the services of a practical, experienced man, ought not to be neglected by the friends of the project. Now is the time to move in the matter.
Hand in hand with these local improvements should be prosecuted enterprises of equal importance to the town, and of vital interest to the agriculturists, who are to furnish the laborers here with food. Better roads must be built. At present half the farmers in this county are more than 50 miles from market. It actually costs many who live within 20 miles of Marietta more to get their produce to town than it would to bring it 50 miles if we had good roads. And they are not the only – though perhaps they are the most severe—sufferers. What merchant has not made a long face and drawn a heavy sigh, every day in the week, for two months past as he looked over his sales book? Goods plenty and “cheap for cash or produce” have laid undisturbed upon the shelves, because the produce could not be brought there, and men with cash could not come with it over such roads as we have – and will have, until plank roads are built. Improved roads are of vital public interest, and unless they are soon made in this county, every private enterprise will suffer and languish. Simultaneously with the improvement of roads, another enterprise should be undertaken, to wit: The erection of a Wire Suspension Bridge across the Muskingum. This is a work that will alike promote the prosperity of the two towns, and make them really one, as they now are in sympathy and interest.
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