Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-11-18
A MANUFACTURING VILLAGE.

People who imagine thata single, isolated
mandatory, here and there, is the best that
the South can produce in that line, even at
its best, will be agreeably disappointed to
hear of an entire villagein Alabama devoted
exclusively to manufactures. 1t is called
Scottsville, and is situated in the North
western portion Of Bibb county, near the
river Cahawba, between Centreville and Tus-
caloosa, and to the Southeast of the latter
place some fifty or sixty miles.
The editor of the Selma (Ala.) Sentinel
has been travelling, recently, in the neighbor.
hood of Scottsville, and from what he heard
of it, was induced to visit what he calls this
thriving manufacturing little village.
Scottsville was originally known as the
Tuscaloosa Manufacturing Company. 1t
was incorporated by the Alabama Legislature
in 1887, with a capital stock of $4,000,
which sum was squickly subscribed by num-
Der of capitalists in Tuscaloosa.
In May, 1887, the mills got to work, ma
king coarse cotton cloths, but for some years
they made no money. The company and
the locality soon changed names and man.
agement; the latter coming into the hands
Of Mr.. Scott as principal owner and director
and the place itself took the name of Scots
vile. Heimmediately went to work making
improvements and additions to the buildings
and machinery, and the mills soon paid d.
vidends. The first 50, 200, realized. in 1871
was expended in family Of negroes to work
in the factory. This family has so increased
that the company values them at $4,000,
and most of them are now working in the
factory, and are very useful. The company
have made several purchases of negroes with
the profits of the factory, and negro labor is
much employed by them.
The principal mill is large brick build
ing of three stories, with two wings, filled
with the best machinery and employing oVel
one hundred hands, of whom threc.fourth:
are females. A large overshot wheel, driven
by water, is the principal motor of the ma.
chinery. There are about $4,000 spindles
and 80 looms at work
Wool and cotton are both spun. The con
sumption of cotton averages $4,000 pounds
per month, and $1,000 worth of yarns in
the same time, together with large quanti
ty of linseys and superior article of cotton
sewing thread.
In 1871, the sum of $40, 900 capital stock
had been paid in. Every year since then a
dividend of ten per cent has been declared,
which has been laid out in buying negroes,
land, &c., adding to the buildings and ma
chinery in the village, until the capital stock
has increased to SIT, 1000, of which $685.
900 is in negroes and about SIG, 900 in goods
in the company's store.
The company owns 5000 acres of land and
all the buildings on the place, which con-
sist of the factory, large hotel, the store,
blacksmith, carpenter, wheelright, aud boot
and shoe shops, saw mill, grist mill, large
Touring mill, church and large number
of cottages. No liquor is permitted in the
village, and the company will not sell an inch
of its land to any one. It's stock has long
been over par, and its dividend this year
will be at least twelve per cent.
So much for enterprise, governed by stead
iness, perseverance and skill.
Mey Orleans Pcayune.