The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-10-31
THE PHOENIX FLAMING MILLS.


The Phoenix Mills were vest erday
the scene of one Of the most pleasant
and successful reunions that it was
ever our pleasure to attend. Invita-
tons had been issued several days pre-
viously by Capt. Grove, requesting the
presence OF his friends at the Mills to
celebrate the anniversary oftheir cree
ton, in accordance herewith, between
thirty aud forty gentlemen, represent
ing all kinds OF business and profess
sions, assembled yesterday to do honor
to the occasion. The entire machine
guests were for time entertained
by witnessing the workings Of some
new and complicated machinery that
Captain Grove had just received. After
n half hour had been most pleasantly
passed in this manner, all parties
were invited to tho banquet board and
the pleasure began in earnest. After
the glasses were charged with sparlll-
ing and foaming champagne, General
Cabell called upon the assembled
guests to drink the health of Captain
Grove, prefacing his toast with II few
appropriate remarks. AT this juno
ture Colonel McLure stepped forward
and in his usual graceful manner, de-
livered the following well deserved
tribute to Captain Grove, the proprie-
tor Of the Phoenix Mills:
Before Offering sentiment that
| wish TO present beg to be INDUCED
in the expression Of some thoughts
chat seem to mo to be pertinent to the
occasion.
AS we are all aware, on yesterday
twelve months ago, the "Dallas Plan
ing Mills" that occupied the site on
which the "PhmniX Mills" now stand,
were entirely destroyed by fire. On
the morning Of the 30th, while the EN-.
beers were still smouldering, Captain
Grove telegraphed for the necessary
| machinery to resume operations with,
announced his determination to sound
the engine whistle again In thirty
days, aud then and there adopted for
the name of his new mills the appro-
pirate name that they now bear. True
to his promise, on the Goth day of No
vember he sounded the signal that he
was ready for work again, and from
that time until the present he has con-
tinued steadily to extend his operations
aud add TO his facilities.
AS 1t was twelve months ago to-day
that the proprietor of these mills,
standing amid the wreck and ruin that
the devOurlng element had wrought,
formed the resolve to rebuild, and pro-
ceeded mt once to give practical shape
to that resolve, this may with propri-
ETY. he called the natal day of the
Phoenix Mills, aud presents n fit aud
proper occasion for the friends Of the
proprietor to meet together, and while
| expressing their admiration for the
nerve and pluck that has marked his
business course, TO rejoice with him in
the success that has crowned his
worthy efforts and to testify to the
part he has borne in building up the
trade of our wonderful young city.
The interesting inspection we
have just made OF the varied
aud complicated machinery en-
ployed, both in the planning
and manufacturing departments, en-.
ables us to form some conception Of
the extent Of capital required to con-
duct the business successfully, and also
of the executive ability necessary in
the brain that manages it all. In the
first place he must be n sufficiently
skilled mechanic to understand
thoroughly the working of every
machine attached to the shafting of
his engine, in the second place he
must have administrative capacity to
manage advantageously his large body
of employees, and thirdly, aud rs
point ~ vital Importance, he must be
conversant with tinanceering so as to
keep, both literally and figuratively,
the wheels of his machinery always
well creased. These are three
qualifications that are not often found
combined in one man. But that they
are in happy conjunction in our friend
Captain Grove, the remarkable
success that has attended the
Phoenix Mills abundantly attest.
The chief point that has attracted
my attention, rs have no doubt it
has yours, IL 10 find that doors, sash,
blinds and other builders materials
are here manufactured in any quantity
that can be demanded, out of our ma
tive cypress, and at prices as low ms
the same articles can be furnished
from any of the factories of the North,
or anywhere else. These mills may be
considered as the pioneer mauufac-
tory of builders material in this part
of the South, and ms such IRE entitled
TO-, and have the right to claim, the
patronage of the people of Texas. II
would be n work Of supererogation to
remark on the importance of manufac-
tories to an aspiring town or city. 1t
is now n conceded proposition TINT no
inland city can hope to raise to great.
ness on trade alone. The diffusion of
trade consequent upon the extension
OF railroads has put an end 10 the
,, time when towns could grow into
cities simply by the concentration of
trade, a city now TO become n place
Of commercial consequence must en-
cOul age and develop manufactures.
This IL essentially true of Dallas, sur
rounded MS she is on every side 10y ri
val cities (so-called) contending with
her for the trade of the almost fabus
lousy wealthy region of North Texas.
five wish to maintain the easy su.
premary we have already acquired II
must be 10y the development and en-
enlargement OF manufacturing enter
prises Realizing this fact IL Is u source
of pride to every citizen of Dallas TO
witness the success OF the Phoenix
Mills M he herein sees the surest prom.
lse of the future greatness of his be-
loved city.
For our friend, the enterprlsing, en-.
pruailn and uhnla-un,Ial ,,,n,,la,n.