The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-03-20
What Buttons Have Done.

The Round Table tells us what but
tons have done:
We must go back nearly forty years.
Then all buttons used by Americans
were imported; but a shrewd Yankee |
lady, the young wife of a man in hum
BILE circumstances, was seized with the |
idea of manufacturing buttons at home |
and by hand. She picked some import |
ed buttons IN pieces, and was satifed |
that with wooden molds she could pro-
duce buttons that would find as good a
market as the imported ones. Her idea
was seconded by her husband, who was
thrifty farmer in a country village in
Western Massachusetts. a few buttons
were made and were sold. The same
hand made more, and found q ready
market. Little by little, month after
month, the idea grew until the persist
ent wife had more than she could do
herself, and laborers were EMPLOYED to
assist in the manufacture. The hus-
bnnd, finding himself outdone, aban-
doned farming and devoted his energies
devised to accelerate matters. A faeto-
ny was built. The enterprise grew with
amazing proportions Other factories
went up. a village clustered around
the button enterprise Wealth flowed
IN upon the proprietor. Factories were
built for making suspenders, for max
ing India rubber webbing, and factories
for cotton spinning. With every year
the project grew apace until the propri-
etor could be named among the mil
| ionaires.
Out of the proceeds of the button
manufacture seminary was establish
/ ed, which is doubtless at the head of
schools for young men in this young
country. A church was built, and ac-
cidentally burned. Another was built,
and shared the similar fate. A third
was built without delay, each being
handsomer than its predecessor. A col
lege was in trouble. The proceeds of
buttons came to its relief and placed it
upon enduring foundations-a college
that has sent its men around the world
to do good and help civiIize. A young
ladies' seminary was the next pIan-the
first of any account in this country.
Again the button purse flew open, and
the school that has been a model for at
least half dozen others was firmly
founded. And all this time very few
outside of these villages knew who was
doing it all. In fact, we know of no
instance where so much has been done
by an individual without its being
trumpeted to the world Nor have we
have we mentioned half of the benefac-
ton which came of the button success.
A college in the West was helped to a
permanent footing. A ladies' seminary
in the West was also kindly remember
ed. A college in Syria, having the
grandest plan at its foundation, was
generously aided. And all the time
new buildings were being added to the
institutions which he had chiefly estab-
lished, and for which he had supplied
the money. During the past season he
has completed great factory, at a cost
of not far from half million, and is
now erecting splendid dormitory bull
ding in connection with the school
which bears his name. This is in part
what buttons have done and are doing.
Many persons will like to know the
name of this button prince"-some
few have already OWNED 1.-THE name
of Samuel Williston, Easthampton,
Mass. In all these years of noble deeds
and ever increasing success, Mr.. Willis
ton has Stunned publicity, and ow KIN
he will feel no pleasure at seeing his
name used in this way. He is now
seventy years of age, but still manages
all his own affairs and executes details
with wonderful energy.