The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1876-04-13
Visit of the Legislature 10 the Mis-
sissippi Wills.

| past TWO o CLOCK. lie Leg iSi<AtifN Pt'A'''
and others invited, numbered nearly
two hundred persons. On arriving al
Wesson. a procession was formed, head
ed by Sergeant-at-Arms Langley, and
the jackson Silver Cornet Band, and
all proceeded to the hotel, where
Colonel J. NJ. Wesson, the founder
of the Mississippi Mills, in few
we'll chosen words, welcomed the Leg
islature He referred to the fact that
ten years ago the site of the Mills was
pine forest, and that now a half million
of money finds there profitable invest
ment that five hundred persons find
employment, and that two thousand or
more are supported by the factory. At
the close of his remarks, Hon. Amos r.
Johnston was called for, and made an ap-
propriate and eloquent response in behalf
of the Legislature. Three cheers were
then proposed and heartily given for Mis-
Sissippi Mills and Copiah county. Din
ner was then the especial order" and
the members found that great abund
ance of good things had been 'laid on
the table" which were promptly disposed
Of under Suspension of the rule" re-
curing members to be seated. After
dinner, all proceeded to
THE FACTORY,
through which they were escorted by
Col. Richardson, Capt. Oliver, Col.
Wesson and Mr.. Holbrook. Since our
visit there year since, the capacity Of
the Mill has been almost doubled, and
we shared in the general surprise at
the extent and magnifcence of the
building, and the magnitude of its
operations generally. The Mill, as
now equipped, is operated by two Of the
Harris Corliss engines, Of $50 and 200
horse power. There are 5000 spindles
for cotton and wooden goods; 6 sets
wooden machinery; 100 looms for manu-
featuring wooden fabrics, including
great variety of doeskins, cassimeres,
jeans, linseys and tweeds, ranging in
price from 25c to 81 90 per yard. There
are 234 looms for manufacturing cotton
goods, including brown sheetings and
shirtings, osnaburgs, drillings, bed-tick
ing, hickory stripes, plaids, ginghams,
checks, cottonades, ETC., all unsurpassed
in style and quality. Cotton warps, ball
sewing threads and knitting yarns are
also manufactured to a very large extent.
Five hundred persons, mostly little
boys and girls, are employed inside and
outside the buildings, and the operatives
very generally appeared to be healthy
and happy. Quite large town is grow
ing up around the Mills, so that the en-
ployees have good social and religious
advantages.
The Mill known as No. was erected
in 1878, and commenced operations Jan
uary 9TH, 1874. Mill No. 2 was erected
in 1875, and commenced operations
March 1st, 1876. The two Mills are run
in connection, and by the same superin-
tendent and overseers. The Company
own about four thousand acres wood
land, we'll timbered around the Mills, and
use pine wood for fuel.
Mill No. j is 347 feet long, so feet
wide-180 feet of it three stories, and
165 feet two stories. Mill No. is PIP
feet long by so feet wide, is four stories
high, with Mansard slated roof. The
building connecting the two Mills is so
by 40 feet, and three stories high. The
buildings are all brick, and fire-proof.
Great precautions are taken against fire,
by means of iron shutters, doors, by
drants, hose, etc.
We were informed by Capt, Oliver
that the Mills have demand for all
the goods they can make, and are
unable to keep up with orders for
several styles. Its goods at this time
have large sale in the West, especially
in the States of Missouri, Illinois, Kan
sas and Nebraska; also large sale in
New York, and, what is better still,
large local and home demand. A full
variety of the goods have been shipped
to the Centennial Exhibition, and have
been entered for competition against the
world.
The excursion party started for home
at half-past five o'clock. On reaching
HAZLEHURST
they were greeted with the firing
of cannon, a band of music, hearty
cheers, the waving of handkerch;efs and