Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-27
written for The Herald
An Item of Crown Point History.
FACToRYvILLE (PAsT AND PRESENT "A
GLANCE AT THE BUSINESS OF G. p.
FOBEs g 90.

FOBES " co.
Within the memory of the young men
of this town, The forks of the road east
of what is now Crown Point Centre were
known as ''the brick school-house, such
building standing on the point between
the two roads, causing this homely desig-
nation. Here now is thriving, grow
ing, bustling little village, busy with the
hum of machinery, and the streets dotted
with beautiful villas, the result of hon
est industry, guided by an able head.
Here stands the former residence of DR..
Hale, now occupied by DR.. Page. Dr.
Henry Hale was for many years, agone,
a successful practitioner in this town,
contented and ''doing well; in fact, Dr.
Hale became an institution. Then the
neighbors began to whisper, "Dr. Hale
mas good doctor, but now he's got a
pine tree in his head. The doctors
numbering propensities and operations
were unsuccessful from the first, as
many who confidently loaned him their
little al, found to their cost. Associ-
ating brother, Charles, and a son-in-
law, Wilson Flint, the "Hale Store" at
the forks of ''Amy Hill" road, with the
''slab-hollow" road, (now the tasteful
residence of Supervisor Breyoort,) and
the factory now owned and so ably and
remuneratively run by G. 2. Fobes &
Co., sprung up almost as if by magic.
Well does the writer remember his first
visit, when mere lad, to Flint's factory,
when with his uncle, J. Wilson Tread
way, born mechanic, he was shown
through the several floors and the vari-
GUS labor-saving machinery which, for
the first time, came under his notice,
and were flippantly explained by Mr.
Flint; also, The writer's first ride in a
shining buggy, beside Charley Hale, on
the Chem rough road between Schroon
and Crown Point
Strange, how futile and uncertain the
cherished hopes and expectations of en-
terprising men DR.. Hale left town
owing many poor trusting people; Flint
& Co. became bankrupt; Charlie Hale
went into the army and died yet they
left behind a monument of true enter
prise-the factory and numerous out
buildings, which only needed a wcll-bal-
anced brain and willing hands to turn
the free-tiowing current of Puts Creek
into cleaning silver or brilliant United
States greenbacks.
After various changes, the factory
came under the skillful management of
that master operator, Cyrus p. Fobes,
lnder whose control business seemed to
take new turn. More men were en-
plOyed, business was increased, and IA
cilities for doing the best and finest work
were introduced. Extensive orders came
in from abroad; in fact, things about the
factory began to flourish, till now, no
matter how fine or extensive an edifice,
church or temple is proposed and the
plan submitted TO Mr.. Fobcs, in a few
weeks the building, in all its parts, is
ready to be shipped to its destination
like King Solomon's Temple from the
forests and quarrias, each part marked
and numbered, to take its proper place
almost without the sound of axe, gavel
or tool of iron. Very few, even of our
own townsmen, imagine the extent of
Messrs. Fobes & Co. s business.
A man wants residence, submits his
plan to Mr. Fobes, returns home and
throws up his frame, puts on the coarse
lumber, Innings, etc, by which time the
dressed lumber, trimmings, doors, win
dOws, clapboards, etc., arrive, and in a
brevity of time, which would have made
our grandfathers stare, the house is fin
ished and ready for warming.
Last season the extensive and beauti-
full hotel Iceland House, at Schroon
Lake was rushed through in very few
weeks by Mr., Fobes and Mr. B. Lamos.
builders.
The following, a few of Mr.. Fobes'
orders, will give some idea of the bust
ness done at this unpretending factory
on our quiet Putnam's Greek
Two elegant residences in Burlington.
VT, recently completed the cabinet
work on J. G. Witherbee's magnificent
mansion; the large brick buildings Of
Messrs. Doctor 81 Van Ornum, and the
First National Bank; all of Port Henry.
An elegant mansion at Philmont, on
the Harlem railroad, east of Hudson.
the work on which at this factory alone
will amount to some $15, 900; and barn
work some 81 800 additional.
A four-stoyy banking house for the
Farmers National Bank of Hudson.
35X80 feet, containing bank, offices,
public hall, etc. factory work amount
ing to some $4,000.
Enlargement of ST. James Hotel. Sar-
atoga Springs, 35x120 feet.
Mr.. FObes recently informed me of
what will be an item OF interest to all
readers of the able pictorial publications
of that famous artist and publisher
known as Frank Leslie. Mr.. Garter
Drank Leslie) has recently purchased a
fine estate of some rs to 100 acres of
land on the shore of the beautiful Sara
toga Lake, where Mr.. Fobes is to fur
nish, for his country villa, work amount
ing to some $4,000 or $4,000, aad for
barn some $4,000.
A beautiful and thriving village has
grown about the factory, and the firm
employ constantly upwards of thirty
skilled mechanics. The lumber used IS
imported from Canada mostly, where
the finest Kinds of pine are to be had.
many boat-loads OF which arrive each
summer. Large quantities of black wal
nut and other rich woods are also brought
into rcquisition. Three extensive floors
are covered with the costliest and most
improved machinery. enabling one man
to do the work of several, thereby great
ly reducing the cost of production. We
were greatly interested with new emery
machine, recently introduced, for sharp
ening tools, polishing, etc. One work
man is engaged most of the time with
this machine in keeping the many knives
and tools in order. The hardest file NAV
be cut and shaped at will, with almost
incredible speed, by this little machine.
Mr.. Fobes has recently associated with
him his sons-in-law, Messrs. TrimbIe
and Bascom, and the firm are prosper
Gus as they deserve.
The above was written some weeks
ago, but by accident was delayed till
now. On our return from New York
we find, to our surprise, chat Messrs.
t.obes & Co. have completed an extern
NIL A. -