The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-01

CHARLESTON, Jan. ~.

81, .e9b ta 1855 CHARLESTON, Jan. ~.
Ohish0lm's rice mills, the largest in the
United States, rank among the curiosities
of Char lesion. The inhabitants point to
them with pride, as convincing proof OF
Southern energy in manufacturing.
The mills are owned by one person, and
cost to erect $l75,OOO. Mr.. Chisholm
OWNS one hundred and thirty negroes, who
are employed in the different departments.
A visit to them is instructive, apart from
the mechanical ingenuity displayed in the
complicated process of turning the rough
hull into pearly grains, from the fact that
the different branches of labor require more
brain than the negro is supposed to possess.
Every grain of rice has to 60 through ten
different pieces of machinery before it is
ready for the casks, and every kernel is pol.
ished by the most delicate, yet thorough
process. Many housewives would not
credit the assertion that each grain is
polished as thoroughly as any article of fine
jewelry by the jeweller; yet with all this
care it is sold at present for only $l8 per
barrel.
Political agitation and secession excite
ments have reduced it from $30-the price
not long ago. Negro carpenters. coopers,
masons and gas-makers are employed. Mr..
ChishOlms own negroes, as l was assured
by the engineer, clear frequently 81 per
week, working over time) while free blacks
are employed in large numbers at $3.50 per
day, and have rice and frewood thrown in
to large amount. Mr.. Chisholm turns
out 200 barrels of rice each day, and, it is
estimated clears $4,000 yearly. -Four
thousand bushels of rice chaff are thrown
away every day. Cannot some ingenious
Yankee find out way of making paper out
of this refuse? He certainly would receive
the pecuniary gratitude of all the paper
manufacturers in the United States.
There is sort of Ralph Farnham, in a
mild way, at these mills. "Old Bob," as
be is called, has seen one hundred and FIVE
summers. He is the last survivor of the
famous fight of Fort Moultrie, and may be
seen any day picking his steps by the aid
of an ancient umbrella, which he always
carries, and basket to gather chips. He
is known to have amassed several thousand
dollars, but no one has ever discovered
where bis bank account is kept. Whoever
stops to chat with the old fellow will observe
on his thigh what may be taken for tu-
NOR: this tumor, if ,punctured, would be
found to contain some thirty silver dollars,
black with age, or from contact with his
skin, perhaps. He frequently investigates
this savings institution, and finds that-un-
like the regular one here--it Is ready to
pay specie, and closes the door. Old Bob
experiences religion every Christmas. when
be generally has little whiskey on board,
and then be is very con6dng, and is about
to disclose to some. particular friend the
whereabouts Of his pile. In the morning
be backslides and breaks all his promises.
Bob is veritable woolly character, and I
advise every one who visits this city to
hunt him up, at Chisholm's rice mills, on
Tradd street. . 30. .r
On Sunday every liquor or lager shop is
supposed to be closed. The law says so, as
it does in New York. In both cities there
are private side arrangements for the know
ing.