Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-03-27
North Carolina Factories.

North Carolina. Few men interest themselves
in procuring and publishing it. This is to be {
regretted, especially at this j~uncture, when
the public mind seems to be somewhat aroused
to the importance of manufacturing as a means
of self independence, as a source of profit, and
a more equal division of the labor of the pco-
pie of the State.
Little, however, as has been made public,
Of the industrial operations of our people, we
know enough to satisfy us that manufacturing
and mechanism arc much more largely carried
on, than is generally supposed, and that they
may be still much more largely embarked in
with profit. With the view of eliciting infor-
nation and if possible to excite a more gener-
al interest in enterprises of this sort, we pro-
pose to take a brief view of what is doing in
the State, so far as our limited information ex-
tends. And in doing so, we shall arrange
the several industrial schemes under their
several heads, in order hat public attention
may be more certainly directed to them, and
that the paucity of our information may be
filed up OF supplied by our cotemporaries and
others, possessed of fuller and more complete
statistics.
/. Cotton Factories. Perhaps there are
not less than from Is to 90 Cotton Factories
in the State, in active operation at this time.
If the recent statement that 90 900 bales of
cotton are annually manufactured in the State,
as published in the papers, be correct, it would
seem that a larger number than 90 must be
In onornfi0n W. ORC not ohJo ~ r,coo4 -
4 locate more than half of that number. There
' are seven pretty large establishments at work
r in and around Fayetteville, one in johnson,
one in Newbern, and others in Randolph and
e other parts of the State. If however, $4,000
e bales are annually manufactured, it must in
s volve an investment of perhaps So 600, 600
s alone, in that branch of enterprise.
,e 2. Flour Factories. Though this branch
of business has attracted but little notice, at
t this time it is carried on, and is on the in
n crease, to a greater extent, than any other
branch, as to the number of mills in opera.
Ct ton. It employs fewer laborers and invests a
,e smaller capital than cotton, it is true, yet it
al is of no inconsiderable Importance to the bu-
d siness of the State. Many of the mills are
~ very extensive, yet they are incapable of meet
% ing the demand at home or abroad. North
III Carolina flour within a few years, has risen
ID, to the top of the market, and if our planters
Use and millers choose, they can increase its repu-
IN tation and quantity. We are not advised of
no the statistics Of this article, but suppose that
$4,000 barrels, at a valuation of $500, 600. are
ow annually sent out of the State. This is a
les mere supposition, it may be greater or much
ers less, but we hardly hazard much in saying
sed that an equal or greater amount of flour is i'm
nd ported from other States, than we export -
,rts We hope the day is not distant, when our
cen millers will wipe this stain from the Ole
me. North State.
ned 8. Coach Factories. This is undoubtedl,
zen the largest branch of mechanical entcrpris
in the State, employing a larger amount {
alb hands and capital than any other. Thi
ness branch has the ability to supply the entir
rned demand at home, yet owing to some caus,
mes Northern work still completes severely wit
enty our coach.makers. We believe that Nh. Nc
re- Kcthan's factory in Fayetteville, is the large
e la in the State. His work finds its way into OF
,eep- er Southern States. There are others of equ
ability, as in this city and other places,
hese make any kind of vehicle to compare with /
While or the North, but his we believe is the large
uor- establishment we are aware of. At any ra
ted? there is but little room for an increase of Il
J, the branch of industry.
e and 4. Wool Factories. There are several
and tories for carding and perhaps spinning We
work, but so far as we know, those at Salem and
Ter of Rock Island are the only Factories VIII
in cassimeres and other WOODEN goods are ma
You These are doing well and are producing
III go very best goods for mems wear for daily I
erery This branch should be increased.
al on 5. Feundries. Burns foundry in
imself city, we believe, was the first started in
aides State, at which a steam engine was made
IS and Now there are several. One at Whining
will the Shops at Salisbury, Fayetteville, n
perm, ana Cnariotte' BESIDES these, II
other are iron and brass Foundries, for the ma
scarce facture of farming utensils, &c. There she
ID and be one at Wentworth, Washington and O
but points. Farming implements are in dem
e and and the State should supply her own farm
if Foundries for pot ware, edge tools, &c.
aut;fuI still a desideratum. The opening of the
90 mines on Deep River, will give an imp
while TO this branch.
rive to 6. Paper Factories. There arc four
c rose. per factories in the State, we believe.
in Wake county on Neuse River, one in G.
John berland on Rockfsh, and one at or near Sa
A. US a The first three are operating extensively,
h was their paper is always in demand in New Y
consid- But for the scarcity of rags, this branch 0
lal was siness might be extensively followed in
he for State.
son i'm Z. Shoe Factories. There are several
public. Factories located at Townsville, and o.
but the Chatham. These should be extensively {
nd who ed. One in Raleigh, Fayetteville, Win
to do ton, Newbern, Washington, Greensboro,
ne ven lotte, Salisbury and other towns each,
is the not supply the demand.
s. Furnitu1e Factory. We are not
of a Furniture factory, in which machine
ZINE employed in the State.