The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-03-09
LFrSm the Wisconsin State Journal
LETTER FROM THE SENIOR EDITOR.
a Day in an Ohio Manufacturing City
Some Suggestive Facts and Figures
How q Dead Town was Revived
CANroN. OHIo. Feb. Is 181C

Stopping a day or two in this city, 1
have ascertained few statistics that may
possibly preye of interest to tho readers OF
the Journal, and perhaps prove a stimulus
to the people of Madison, to press on the
manufacturing interests of that place
With this hope l give some facts and fig
ures:
Canton is an old town in the interior OF
the great State of Ohio. The soil of the
country around is good, and the early set
tiers were largely made up of Pennsylvania
Germans hardy people, given to agri-
cultural pursuits Agriculture naturally
progressed well under the direction of such
a people; but the town made slow progress
and became apparently completely finished
| several years since. Such was my own
idea of Canton, nineteen years ago but il
does not look like finished city now. On
the contrary, it presents the indications OF
lively, enterprising new city, destined to
rapid growth in business and wealth; and
such no doubt is its destiny. 1t may be
asked what has caused this change in af-
fairs 1t is on this point that l propose
to say a few words.
Something like dozen years ago, few
men, with scarcely any capital, commenced
manufacturing agricultural implements
| here in a small way. The business was
| successful, and was increased from year to
year, till now the manufacturing interests
| in the place have become immense, indi.
| vidual fortunes have been realized the
population of the city has rapidly increased
and thlift is indicated in the general ap-
pearance of the place.
l cannot illustrate the position of things
| better than to give few figures with ref
1 tn fha 1T, hr,s fo,
| the last year, that has been kindly fur
nished me. The population of Canton in
| September last was II, ,l20-showing an
increase of twenty-four per cent. in the
| last year. The amount Of capital employ
ed in manufacturingi is 50, 100000 Mum
Der of persons employed in the various
! shops, 1900. Value Of manufactured pro-
ducts, $3,6OO,09O. These figures are large
| and will indicate that this is a live city.
Among the enterprises OF this city il
the recent completion of water works, by
which the town is fully supplied with the
purest of water This is brought some
Two miles from a clear lake, which lie:
some forty feet higher than the city. a
grand celebration in honor Of the compile
ton of the noble work, will take alace or
l Tuesday next, the 22d inst.
give few of the more prominent man
ufactories IN Canton. Two agriculture
works, making 300 mowers and reapers
and 200 threshers year; one malleabl
iron and steel works; one reaper knife AM
spring works; three plow works; tw
woolen factories, two iron bridge manu-
factories; eight Touring minis, &C., &(
These works are what give capital and en-
terprise to the place, and build it VI
There is no reason why Madison may no
do just as well in these respects, if he
people will it. The home demand 70
Manufactured articles there is greater tha
here The facilities for manufacturing ar
equally good, with perhaps the exception
Of coal. That is cheaper here. In som
sespects Madison would have the advan
tage, so that all in all, the facilities ar
about equal. 1 have thrown out thes
facts in the hope that they might arous
our Madison friends to q sense of thei
own duty to themselves and their charm
ing city. Encourage manufacturing in
terests; build up works of that kind, an
thrift, general prosperity, good times, an
a large increase Of population must inevi
tably follow.
This county has erected, during the pas
year, new and magnificent Courthouse
1t is nearly completed, and is a structur
of which any people may justly be prouc
D. y.