Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-22

Among the many thriving towns in the coun-
ty, Spencer takes an important position, both
in the quantity of goods produced and the differ
ent varieties. Originally the town was por-
ton of leicester but since its incorporation as
a separate township its growth has been rapid,
and to-day it is larger than its parent. The act
of incorporation was obtained in 1853, twenty
one years after the incorporation of Leicester,
after it had been twice vetoed. The town is
named in honor of Gov. Spencer Phillips, and,
although two miles from the railroad, its growth
has been rapid. Stages make three regular trips
to the depot daily, to connect with trains over
the Boston and Albany railroad, and stage
runs daily between the town and this city. A
large proportion of the population find en-
pIoyment in the manufacture of boots, although
the number of employees at the different factories
is quite small in proportion to the number en-
gagged in their production as a great amount
OF the work is done by those who have a work.
shop in connection with their residences.
The largest boot factory is the one operated
by Isaac PrOuty & Co., in the centre of the
place, Here $50 persons find employment and
their productions are disposed of in New York
is employed to prope the machinery.
The factory now occupied by Josiah Green &
Co., was established in 1912 by the father of the
present senior member of the firm The goods
produced here are disposed of in Chicago and St,
Louis, and twenty employees are engaged No
power is used,
L Jones Co. have recently completed
large addition to their establishment, which now
furnishes employment to sixty operatives. The
firm is now considering the introduction of
steam as motive power. The productions o
this factory are consumed in New York state
and the west
The firm of Bullard, Boyden & Co. occupy the
factory erected by Isaac Prouty, upon his first
engaging in the business, and employ thirty
operatives. The goods are produced entirely by
hand labor, and New York and the west fur.
nish a market in which they are disposed of.
David Prouty & Co. occupy a large factory in
the rear of the post office, and furnish employ
mcnt for thirty hands. Hand labor is here re-
qured, and the goods are shipped to the same
localities as those of the above firms.
The firm of Bush & Grout occupy factory
in the centre of the town and furnish employ
ment to 40 operatives. New YORK and the west
consume their productions.
Prouty, Kent Co. employ % hands, and
send the results of their labors to the same
localities.
Sixty people find employment at the factory
operated by d. A. Drury & Co., and steam is
also required. The building is also heated by
steam.
AT Kent Bacon's 20 operatives are engaged
in the manufacture of boots which are shipped
to New York and the west
The wooden mills in the town are four in mum.
ber and among the establishments that have
added to the rapid growth of the place. The
one situated nearest the centre is called thelyal-
ley wooden mill and is owned by William Up.
ham. Both water and steam are employed as
motive power, and casSimeres are produced, 80
persons are engaged, and the products are dis.
posed of in New York. The water is obtained
from reservoirs maintained at the owners ex.
pense.
The West mill is situated upon the stream
known as Seven Mile river, and satinets arehere
manufactured by 30 operatives, and disposed of
in New York. The proprietors are Upham s.
Stanley
The Spencer wooden mill is owned by VIII.
liam Upham and power is furnished by steam
and water. Fifty hands are employed in the
production of cassmeres, which fud market in
New York. The productions of the three mills
combined amount to about 9OO,OOO square yards
annually.
Mr. Upham IintendS, during the ensuing wear.
to erect new mill upon the site of an old one,
now unused, between the Valley mill and the
centre Of the town.
Worcester county is renowned for the manu-
facture of wire, and here are to be found two large
establishments. About one mile from the centre
are located those owned byJ X. & j. L Prouty,
three in number. This firm first started in bust.
ness in an old building, long since removed, and
produced about 400 pounds Of wire a week.
Since that time their business has increased to
its present state, and about four tons week are
now produced Twenty FIVE operatives are en-.
ployed, aud water is the only power used This
firm has just started new mill where the wire
is drawn from the rods. From here it is taken
to the other mills and drawn down to different
sizes, No. 30 being the smallest. The wire is
used mostly in the manufacture of machine
cards in cities in this state. Improvements are
now being made at all Of the mills and two of
them are to be Immediately enlarged