Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-21
GROWTH or A FACTURING

GROWTH or 4 MANUFACTURLNG
CITY.
The growth of manufacturing city is
shown in the case of Fall River. The great
advantages which this place affords remained
dormant many years, but at last improvement
commenced, and the result has been the build
ing up of a large manufacturing business,
and an increase of wealth and prosperity so
that the city has more than doubled its popu-
lation in the last ten years, land added in equal
proportion to its valuation. A late article in
the Tribune gives the following facts, which
our readers will find interesting and instruc.
tive, as bearing somewhat upon the future. O.
our own city.
Thousands hear of Fall River without be-
ing aware of the immence amount of mechani
cal industry in that apparently insignificant
town. Fall River possesses many natural ad
vantages that have contributed to its present
prosperity. Situated at the entrance of Taun-
ton River into Mount Hope Bay, an arm of
Narraganset Bay, it has an excellent and ca
pacious harbor where vessels of large tunnage
find safe anchorage. Through the town, on
its eastern side. an extensive body of water
flows from Watuppa Pond to the bay below;
the stream is about half mile in length, with
a fall of over 100 feet. Such water-power
as this renders it unnecessary to build an ex
pensive dam and canal, as at Lawrence and
Lowell, and this advantage has been careful
ly improved, SO that now the stream is bor
dered with factories along its whole length.
The water is abundant and easy of control,
and is used advantageously in some of the
mills to produce steampower. At this time
land on the borders of the pond not already
occupied by manufactures is being rapidly
bought up for mll-sites, and it is believed
that within the next ten years many establish
ments will occupy what was once considered
a barren waste. Fall River manufactures
essentially print cloths, or the material from
which calico is made. Two or three of the
mills, however, make fine sheetings which
have attained wide reputation, such as the
"Quequechan" and "Davol." Of the goods
manufactured, a fair proportion is used here
by the American Print Works, one of the
largest and best calico-printing establishments
in the country; the balance finds a market in
New York, Philadelphia, and elsewhere ;and
the facilities for transportation which manu-
facturers have here, both for obtaining the
raw material and shipping their goods in re-
turn, are in themselves of immense value.
Ten years ago Fall River was manufac-
turing town of considerable importance; but
since 1860 it has more than doubled in number
of factories and spindles. in amount of CAPT.
tai invested, and in population. The great
start dates from 1859. In that year several
sagacious, enterprising men, believing this
good field for the further development of in
dustry, had the Union Mill Co. Incorporated,
with capital of Sl75 1000, in shares of ST.
600 each. They erected a mill with about
$4,000 spindles, and commenced operations
the next year. The success of the enterprise
exceeded the most sanguine hopes of its or
iginators. They started just at the right
time. The war greatly increased the amount,
consumption, and the price of their products.
Money literally flowed into their Golfers; so
that beside paying large dividends, in 1865
they erected a new mill almost twice the size
OF the original one, and paid for it from their
earnings. The splendid success of this ven
ture put the ball in motion. As mandatory
after manufactury arose, the city multiplied
and increased, until from place of medium
rank in 1860, it has in this year become the
first cotton manufacturing city in the United
States.
In 1860, Fall River contained 1872, 620 spin
dies, representing a capital of 2,260, 900,
and manufactured 45,225,000 yards of cloth
per annum. 1t then had population of 49,
240. Now it has 552 1887 spindles, represent
ing capital of Sc, 740 900. There arc manu-
iactured annually 1872, 065 900 yards of cloth
The population, according to the census just
taken, is 27,l9l. In this manufacture are
consumed, yearly, %, 253, 600 pounds of cot.
.oh, oo,ooo tons of coal, 80 900 gallons of oil
anu 'oo,ooo lbs. of starch. Besides the mills
engaged IN the above-named special branch OF
manufacture, there are the American Print
WORKS, already referred to, which prints an
nuaiiy about 10 100000 yards of calico: the
ran River Iron Works, large and wealthy
corporation, devoted to the manufacture Of
iron wooden mill, and several establish
ments where machinery is made. To mee
the financial wants of the comm,n;,y ~
seven national banks, with combined canita
Of S2,250,00o, and four savings hanks tn
largest of which has deposits amounting /
nearly IS, 900, 900.
1t il safe to say that 10000 people find en-
ployment directly in the manufacturing estat
lishments of the city, and many more in bus
ness appertaining TO them. AT the prese,
time four new mills are projected Thes
will be built the coming year, and will conta
about 10000 spindles, and call for an outla
of 81, 000, 900. And, of all the capital il
vested in the new manufacturing interests
the city, nine-tenths are owned by its ov
residents. Nature no doubt helped in ma
ing Fall River what h is to-day, but in h
main its present rank as manufacturing CT
is owing TO the sagacity and enterprise of
own citizens.
Senator Brownlows health is not impro
ing. He is not able to read or write,. and wi
devote the summer to medical treatment. Il