The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-07-10
MANCHESTER.
ITS MANUFACTURING ADVANTAGES.
FACTORIES, MILLS, FoUNDRIEs, PUB
LILO BUILDINGS, CHURCHES,
SCHOOLS.
FINE WATER POWER.

Manchester is admirably suited for man
ufacturing purposes, and if proper enter
prise. is shown, may become one of the
largest manufacturing towns in the United.
States. Its water power can hardly be
surpassed, and in its vicinity, and in easily
accessible parts Of the State, are treasures
of metals affording unusual advantages to
capitalists and manufacturers.
Ninety nine years ago Colonel Byrd,
proprietor CT the tract row known as Man
chester, laid it off for town, and be-
cause of its rough and rugged appear
ance called it "Rocky Ridge" 1t
was gradually settled, and considerable
enterprise was shown, which in time, but
for the narrow minded policy of one of her
wealthiest merchants, would have made
her formidable rival of Richmond. In
1888, when the James River canal was pro-
jected, an engineer who made the survey
for its connection with tide-water reported
that the best route for the terminus of the
canal and for the required connection was
on the south side and through Manchester.
The merchant alluded to above urged that
if the canal was brought to Manchester it
would cause many merchants to establish
themselves there, and create competi-
tion for the trade which was then in few
hands. He therefore retained Patrick
Henry, with large fee, to oppose the
adoption of the route when the report OF
the engineer Was submitted to the Legisla-
ture. His judgment in selecting his coun-
sci was better than that in opposing the
improvement, for Henry succeeded in di-
verting the canal to Richmond, and his
client lived to see the folly of his selfish
policy. One by one the merchants moved
over to this city and left him "alone in his
glory" to retail old remnants from his
shelves, with no inducement to replenish
them. From this time Manchester conti-
nued to decline until a few years since,
when it began to revive. It is now in a
full tide of prosperity, and is destined to
become large manufacturing town, and
doubtless will be the Lowell of the South
The supply Of bituminous coal for manu-.
| featuring purposes is abundant, large
portion of the country being underlied with
coal, and the celebrated Midlothian and
"Black Heath" coal mines are situated
directly on the Richmond and Danville
railroad distance of twelve miles from
the town. These mines have been worked
for over fifty years, and the seam of Goa
is thirty feet thick. A branch railroad
runs through the town, over which trains
of coal cars are passing daily. BY this
means the manufacturing establishments
are supplied with coal, as are the vessels
for distant ports, which come to point
mile below the town, where they are load
ed with very little trouble.
Manchester has at present about six
thousand inhabitants. 1t contains two ex-
tensive cotton and woolen mills, one large
flour mill, corn mill, two paper mills,
foundries, and machine shops, woodenware
and tobacco factories, a tannery, sc. Be.
sides this milling property, the town, in its
corporate capacity, has right to one-hal
the water power in James river, and car
furnish an additional number Of valuable
mill-sites. The town is connected with
Richmond by three bridges, the Richmond
and Petersburg, and Richmond and Dan
vile Railroad bridges, and Mayo's bridge
The latter is a toll-bridge, and is for wa
gons and pedestrians. The Board of Trus-
tees q few months since awarded the con-
tract for building free bridge between
the two places to Mr.. Henry Exall. The
bridge will be stone arch, eighteen hundred
feet long, with roadway twenty-five feet
wide, and a sidewalk six feet in width,
with balustrades and balconies. The Man
chester end will be about thirty yards be-
low Mayo's bridge, and about five feet be-
low it on this side. 1t will cost 1000
and will be a magnificent structure.
THE WATER POWER AND MANUFACTURES
The water power, among the best in the
country, is owned solely by the corpora.
tion authorities. The water is taken out
of the river at the western limits, and Is
conducted by q canal through the town
The whole length Of the canal is at present
two thousand eight hundred feet, and it!
capacity over seven thousand cubic lnche:
of water, under three-feet head, and il
capable Of being enlarged to double it:
present capacity. At the head of the ca
nal has been erected substantial stone
dam and head-gates, which gives assu
rance that no stoppage need be feared from
the washing away of the dam, Sc, the.
having stood uninjured the great flood o
April II, 1s64-the highest water on re
cord. The dam and canal are kept in or
der by the corporation of the town, tht
lessees being at no expense whatever.
On the line of this canal are severa
manufactures, which are now in success
ful operation, and conducted by indivi
duals whose known enterprise and bushes
experience are sufficient guarantee tina
they are doing and will do well.
If the reader will follow US we will in
troduce him into the principal manufacto
ries, and give him some idea Of the amour
of business which is silently but steadil.
being transacted. Westart from the lowe
end of the town, and come first to Baird
foundry and millwrght shops. Thes
shops were established about twenty year
ago by Mr.. Robert Baird, and were managed
by him until about year since, when N
was accidently drowned in the dock, hav
ing on very dark night walked off th'
bridge between Richmond and Manchester
At bis death the property reverted to ri
wife and children, who have continued tn
works. Mr.. James D. Craig, the CONNER
cial agent; has charge of the works, EN-
ploying about forty workmen, who are KEEP
busily engaged constructing mill machiner.
for the Richmond mills, as well as for thos
of other places, some work having beel
done for mills in the far south. Cont
nuing our walk, we arrive at the Manches
ter corn mill, which is owned by the towI
and rented to Mr.. Sydney Bett for ON
hundred dollars per year, he contractln!
to supply the town with water. The mli
is now worked to its fullest capacity, whicl
is about two hundred and fifty bushels
corn meal per day.
The James River Manufacturing Com
nany was established some time since fo
| the manufacture of cotton goods. Ne,
machinery from England has been recentl
put up in the mill, and it now has thre
| :, ! alaa 70 nj lxr o. xunrk q n