Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-02-26
rae Ams. E.-lry-TAs.i m.t.ry and CA-r-o-

/
A correspondent Of the Springfield Republican
writes from North Esston, the birth place and
home Of oakes Amss--the man who just now
stands in SO disgraceful prominence before the
American public. The town lies midway be-
tween Boston and Fall River, on the line OF the
Old Colony and Newport railroad. In this place
is the great shovel manutactory OF y. Ames
Co. The number Of hands employed in the va
rious departments Of this factory ranges from
500 to 400. In an ordinary season, each DAY e
work produces 1000 shovels. Oakes and Oiver
Amee ara the senior partners Of the firm, and
their sons comprise the company. o,.----
Oliver Ames ST. tire father OF Oskes and Oliver
began the business in very humble way, hrst
as manufacturer of nails, and then OF shoveis,
In a small one-story building, with no machinery.
The little shop gave way TO- larger one each
succeeding year saw steady gam Oyer oyer tne pre- pre-
ceding, and when, ten years ago Oliver Ames
died, his little nail and shovel shops had grown
to be one of the leading industries OF the nAton
/ and Ames shovels were known and used through
[ out the world. He died at an advanced age
having lived to see hourishing town grow up
/ around him, which, In q large measure, owed
to MIN It's existence and prosperity. He was
universally respected . keen, energetic man Of
business, yet singularly straightforward and
upright in his dealings.
/ in the welfare OF North Easton, and every
scheme for public Improvement meets their
ready support and receives from them substan-
tiaI aid. They have always been firm advocates
of the temperance cause, and have waged re-
lentless warfare against the liquor traffic in their
midst. And this has not been without Its per-
ceptible effect for will venture to say that no
| other town in the state in which the foreign
element SO largely predominates, can show no
good 9 temperance record as does this place.
Three or four years ago Oakes Ames began
building an elegant school house, with the in
tention of presenting it to the district IN which
he resides, but before its completion the school
| district system was abolished, and not caring
1 TO include the whole town in his hberality, he
1 offered to sell the building at slight advance
| upon cost. After much controversy upon the
| subject the town finally bought the house, and
/ some people have been so ungenerous ~ to
| assert that Mr.. Ames knew that this measure
| was to be brought before the legislature, and
4 would probably be successful, and he took ad-
| vantage of this knowledge to realize few
dividends" by speculating in school-houses
| OF the two brothers, Oliver Ames is the general
fayorite and he is certainly morally and intel
| lectually tho superior. Ifyou want favor, 60
to Oliver he will grant 1t il it il within his power
and if net, he will give you a courteous refusal
| which lie more than you will always get from
oakes, who is as rough and blunt as one OF hi
own shovels.
The people Of this village met the ''campaigi
slander, =" at first, with indignant denial, the
| with attempted defense, which has given plac
to feeling Of almost personal shame and hu
initiation. The Ames family has been held il
such high esteem that the detection Of Oakes
| keeply felt,