The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-20

At,bo SINNER given by NIr. John Russell on
Las, Friday evening the following interesting
statistics were read in regard to the history of
| carriage manufacturing in this city which,
owing to want of space, we were obliged to
lay over until this morning.
Nathan Babcock and John Edwards were
the only carriage manufacturers in this city in
1919. The business in all its branches, except
the painting was then carried on in the wood
en- building now standing on the corner of
Oak and Congress streets (Which has received
several alterations since then, having been en-
larged and another story added) by Nathan
Babcock who employed about four wood
workers. besides blacksmiths and trimmers,
tuauing out from twenty to thirty new car
riages year. He also did considerable job
bling business aud built a few sleighs to order.
At that time there were but three private
hacks in the city they being owned by Arthur
Mcclellan Matthew Cobb, and Asa Clapp, ana
also two public hacks owned by Asa Plummer
and Mr.. McKenney. The principal carriages
then in use were two wheel chaises and COM
mon riding wagon called thorough-brace
wagon. There were also few chain wagons
used similar to the heavy beam wagons of the
present day.
On September 9th 1920 the first chaise built
by Mr. John Russell was sold TO Benjamin
Ilsley, cabinet maker of this city. 1t was call
Ell in those times pole-spring chaise (smilar
to those OF the present day. painted olive, lined
with drab cloth, and possessing neat leather
top. Price then about one hundred and fifty
dollars We should not forget to state in this
connection hot oh tha haJI
top chases came into use (the same kind as
are used now but previous to that time the
canopy-top was in vogue being an iron frame
top covered with painted canvas, the chaise
having curtains on the sides and back to roll
up.
In 1923 the greater number of the chaises
were painted white, which must have caused
them to present decidedly novel appearance.
About 1880 C-spring chaises came into fashion
again. They were made previous to 1919 in
Newbury, Mass, mostly for shipment to the
Southern market The first carryall made its
appearance in Portland about the year 1921
Isaac 1lsley had one about the same time from
New Haven, and Robert Boyd one from Phil
adelphia. During all this time, from the ear
liest period in the history of the business here,
the carriage manufacturers made their varnsh,
Japan, and painted carpets, having set of
stamps on hand. Phaetons were not much used
until the year 1888. In regard to the first
wagons made the bodies rested upon the axles,
and most of the axles were made of wood
Then came the chain and thorough brace was-
ons with iron axles. The side springs did not
make their appearance untilithe year 1880.
The sleighs used here in 1919 were what was
called the Tub or Half-moon sleigh. These
were followed shortly by square sleighs, and
these, in their turn, made way for sleghs with
the dasher on the runners. The lower dashers
were adopted by Mr.. Russell a few years af-
ter or about 1910
The sleigh trade between Portland and Boston
was opened about 1910 and the seligh manu- |
featuring business has increased from about |
twenty five in that year to nearly one thous- |
and in 1869. The first Portland sleighs sold in |
Boston were by Samuel X. Bayley, in Milk
street, who soon after moved to Federal Street
The business is still carried at that place by
ca 7. Walker g Co., formerly Ddluey Fl. Bay
ley. In 1910 there was but one carriage re-
pository in Boston, but a few years after Ed
ward Riddle commenced the business and now
there are dozen or more, and at any of them
New Yorkfor sleighs, or Portland cutters as
they are called, commenced about the year
1874 and has steadily increased.
Mr.. John Russell, the Nestor of the carriage
makers in this city, commenced business as a
carriage painter with Mr.. Nathan Babcock at
the establishment on the corner of Oak and |
Congress streets, in 1919, December 18th. In
1928 he removed from there to his present To-
cation on Casco street, and in 1929 took into |
partnership his brother Joseph, which firm,
under the name of j. & j. Russell, was con- |
tinued until 1860. Since then he has continu- |
ed the business alone on Casco street, his |
brother Joseph in 1860 moving to the old stand |
corner of Oak and Congress SITS. Mr.. Russell, |
among other marks of his distinction in his |
business, received a silver medal at the Me-
chanics Fair in 1887 for two-wheeled chaise
weighing 315 pounds
Such is slight sketch of carriage and sleigh |
manufacturing in Portland, hastily thrown
together at brief notice, and will prove highly |
interesting to all Portlanders.