The Hickman courier., 1873-07-12
The Beesbrook Teetotalers.

Bessbrook was founded about % years
ago. A property of some 5000 acres,
belonging to an Irish lord, was offered
for sale. John G.. Richardson became
the owner. BE had in view, first, the
advantageous Investment of disposable
capital. and next, the creation OF an op-
uortunitv for the laboring population to
live under better conditions than are
usually within their reach. BE wished
to put them in possession OF the best
physical and moral development they
were capable of. At Bessbrook the adj
mitted family lives in one OF the houses
built for the hands, and remunerative
work Is procured for every one of its
hands. If the father cannot work IN
the factory they put him to work on the
roads. on the farm, in the quarry, to
drive wagons, or to whatever suits his
age. his health and his knowledge.
They want all capacities, all aptitudes,
for at Bessbrook nothing IS sent to be
done out of town, II they can find men,
women and children able to DO 1t in the
town. All the machinery Is driven by
six engines, which consume annually
10. 600 tons of coal, and by a turbine
wheel In personal appearance, the
hands employed at Bessbrook viii well
bear comparison with those of other
places. Undoubtedly work is done
there which is not healthful There are
rooms IN which the heat and dust are
not agreeable. Nevertheless, men and
women look we'll Another source - -
weU-doing exists IN the savings banks
which stimulate economy. These in
stitutions are so well used that most o
/ the depositors have accounts varying
from $500 to $1,000. Richardson is ,
member of that society of friends. Hi
wife has many valuable publications fol
/ the Iabors of this enterprise, which sh'
shares with him. They devote q large
part of their time to the promotion o
Christian life in the factory and in tn
town : vet every one is allowed to follow
the dictates of his own conscience
These people think, speak and act fre'
from the mischevious influence of per
fidious stimulants therefore they liv
in peace and plenty. They. have s.
great and aversion to houses where the.
sell brandy, gin, whisky, rum, vine an'
beer that the nearest tavern to them
dubbed by them Sebastopol, to indicat
the fighting round about it. At Bess
brook there are many evening oecupa
tions among them mothers meeting
and other analogous gatherings Rich
ardson and his wife frequently visit i
person the whole domain, not merel
for commercial ends, but they visit pee
pie of every age, because each of tn
visited has temporal rights to be pre-
tected and a soul to save. They Ell
courage the slow, shield the innocent
raise the fallen, comfort the sick, hel
the unfortunate, watch over the wido'
and the orphan, and confirm the good
To convert sorrow into Joy is one OF tn
highest offices Of the worthy. The
bear this in mind. Their object is re
allied in a circle of devout persons
the better class. The happiest result
flow from this praiseworthy labor. Bes'
brook, commercially speaking, must b
regarded as a place of the first impoi
tance in the linen trade. The produC
tions of its looms enjoy wide reput'
ton. They are so reliable that me
chant prince of London said of thel
lately, "One may buy without looking
They make no cloth of Tow grade" Fh
English pronounce them unrivalleC
They 60 in quantity to Spain and Anne
100 German fo7Cy7 Chronicle.