The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-05
COMMUNICATIONS.
Industries OF Bridgton.
PoNDIcHERRY HOUSE,
Bridofon Center. Dec. 3Ist 1S63.

Bridgton Center, Dec 3lst 1863,
Tothe Editor Of the Press:
Your readers in the country are glad to read
your record of the industries of Portland, why
should they not return the compliment, and
let the city readers know what is astir in the
country? Avisit to this thriving village gives
one a striking contrast Of what it was ten
years ago. Many of the old fixtures, both of
men and things, remain; but many are the
changes. A fine building meets one at the
angle oil two roads, in the first story of which
is convenient printing establishment, where
the new "Bridgton Sentinel under the lead
of David Hale Esq, comes out with force
and energy that give promise of vigorous
lie In the upper story is beautiful spac-
ious hall, owned by the Sons of Temperance,
and occupied by the Bridgton Lyceum.
WooLEN FACTORY No. Mot far distant,
WOODEN factory has been reared and in sue
cessful operation, for several years by Rufus
Gibbs, Esq, a monument of indomitable busi-
ness energy by an earnest Washingtonian.
After joining that band of reformers, with
but little capital, this enterprise was under
taken by Mr.. Gibbs and carried through, with
such success that, with its connected property,
there cannot be less than $4,000 invested in
real estate. The factory is so feet by as,
three stories, and employs from 80 TO GO
hands, making 100 pair of bed blankets per
day, or 10000 per year. 1t requires about
125,000 pounds of wool per year to run the
mill, besides a large proportion Sf cotton
A
and other shops are at hand to make boxes
for the goods and other manufactures of
wood. Near the factory is another two-story
shop, used by Messrs. Hopkinson O. Perley in
the manufacture of doors, sashes, blinds, win
dow frames, moulding, and building material
of all sorts. For saving, planning, and all de-
partments of work there is variety and per-
fection of machinery of high order, and the
work of the shop has fine finish
CARRIAGE AND CABINET SHoP.-The old
shop still stands which years ago was occu-
pied for carriage building, and from which
two of your large hives of industry swarmed-
the carriage firms of J. NJ. Kimball, Esq. and
of c. p. Kimball, Esq. The shop is used
partly for carriage and partly for cabinet
making.
The Old SAW MILL.-The music of this
old mill seems as merry now as of yore and
in the "piping times of peace" and gives ev-
idence OF ability for years to Come.
THE TAyNERy No. lon the old stand
where Horace Billings used to make leather,
is another firm with a new building. Messrs.
Gross, Senter e. Jordan were burnt out the
second year after becoming proprietors, but
have rebuilt, and now are able TO turn out
some 500 sides Of finished upper leather per
week in fine condition for the Boston market,
where Mr.. Billings has gone TO help build up
that city, as many a Maine man has DONE
TANSERY No. Further down the stream
is the second tannery, formerly run by Mr..
Abel ii. Buzzell, who has now gone to another
part of the State. Albert Fogg & Go. now
carry on this establishment, Mr.. Billings be-
ing partner They have also a branch tan
merry at Harrison near Otisfeld. The Joint
concern can turn out from 800 TO 400 hides a
week, employing some twenty hands. Vari-
GUS Improvements in laboring machinery give
these Bridgton tanneries advantage over the
former methods. The process of CLOSING
once done by hand, is now done with wonder
ful perfection and raptdity by an exceedingly
simple machine, saving vast wear and strain
of muscle.
WooLEN FACTORY No. 2.-Still farther to-
wards Long Pond is new woolen mill de-
voted TO the manufacture of ladies' cloth,
Messrs. Taylor e. Perry manufacture beau
tiful fabric for ladies' cloak, chiefly light
mixed broadcloth, at the rate of $50 yards pei
day, and using up some 1900 pounds of fine
wool per day. The cloth have a fine even
thread, delicate coloring and soft, elegant
finish. From 25 to 80 hands are required to
run the MILL
STOCKING FAcroRY.-Just below is a new
stocking mill-the first and only one, 1t j:
supposed, in Maine. Messrs. Boothbay &
Chadwick, with some eight or nine operators
can card, spin, double and twist the yarn and
knit upon three machines some forty dozen
pairs per day. That is to say, the three ma
chimes eau knit that amount of webb which
has to be cut right lengths, and sent out into
families to have heels and toes knit into
them, and the top scanned By the old-fashioned
process. Aplaee has to be opened in the wei
at the right place for the heel, the stitches
taken up aud the heel knit in and firmly sewed
Then the toe must be narrowed in the old styIe
and the top made firm by the like method o.
"setting out" stocking.
For this work, the names Of about 400 wo
men are on their books, who send for and re
turn their goods, receiving at the rate of flv,
cents the pair. This firm lost their dam by
freshet six weeks ago, but wM soon be agair
In running order. You may well judge tina
these industries give to Bridgton increase o
population, enterprise and thrift.
Yours truly, c. PEARL.