The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-14
srA1YNroN WAGON FAcroRy.-Monday

STAUNroN WAGON FACTORY. Monday
last, Messrs. W. w. Gibbs, j. NJ. Licklitel
and Jno. D. Shomo entered into co-part'
nership under the firm name and style o1
Gibbs, Licklter & Shomo, for the purpose Of
manufacturing wagons, spokes, hubs, NC
The concern is be known as the ''Staunton
Wagon Factory and will occupy the CON-
modous shops and factory of Messrs. Sho-
mo and Licklter, situated on New Court
House street and adjoining each other. The
firm proposes to commence operations on
the 1st of April with complete and
thoroughly appointed outfit of machinery
capable of turning out work, which in neat
ness of finish, durability and lightness Of
draft, will compete with any in market,
whilst the low prices of labor and material,
and the ease " it'll which it can be obtained
will enable them to sell cheaper than they
possibly can who have to pay freight OH
raw material and again on the manufactured
article. At the start, the Factory will en-
ploy some twelve or fifteen hands and grad,
ually increase the force as the demands OF
the trade require.
The members of the firm are all we'll
known, energetic business men. Messrs.
Lckliter and Shomo are both practical work.
men, OF large experience and well qualified
to conduct the business OF tirst-class factory
Mr.. Gibbs is a young man of indomitable en-.
In TO To- IN
enterprise success. They will make a
strong team.
There is no reason in the world why sue
cess should not attend their efforts, and ii
our people will extend to them the encour-
agement their enterprise and public spirit
deserve, the factory cannot fail to be OF vast
benefit to the town and community. For
years the foreign manufacturers have been
purchasing their raw material in this Sec
ton, shipping it hundreds of miles to the
west, manufacturing it into wagons and re-
turning it to the very section from which. it
was originally procured. All Of this trans
portation, of course, costs money which the
purchaser is bound to pay. A large number
of wagons are sold here every season to peo-
pie living in all the adjoining counties.
Staunton being at the Intersection OF the
railroads, is the distributing point fol Il vast
region OF country and the wagons needed
throughout that region are purchased here
with other supplies. So long as only the
foreign-made wagons are sold, the profits OF
the dealer is all that remains here, the bulk
of the money paid by the consumer, the
original cost, being RENTED to the factory.
An enterprise such as these gentlemen will
start, will add largely to the cash receipts of
Staunton, and consequently to its substantial
prosperity, as both the profits and original
cost will be retained in this community. Not
only that, but in addition it will require a
number of workmen, thereby giving EN-
ployment to our mechanics, and contiibut-
ing to the veal til of the city.
We cannot too highly commend the pub.
lie spirit manifested by the gentlemen who
have undertaken this enterprise, or LOO ur-
gently insist upon our citizens generally to
extend it all the encouragement and assis-
GduCc IiiCy Cdil. IL 10 d A1Su dPPoASho w oAAs
that manufactures are a necessity which
Staunton cannot longer do without. The
business of the town cannot be maintained
upon the agricultural resources alone, and
unless something Is done to convert into
active values the raw material around Us,
our tradesmen will find little encouragement
and less profit in pursuing their various avo
cations. By the success which attends I'M
dertakings of this kind must be measured
the prosperity of the community, and just
in proportion as it and similar institutions
prosper, will renewed impetus be given to
all branches of trade.
And now let our citizens endeavof to fo!-
low this lead by the establishment of wooden
and shoe factories, a paper mill and other
Industries. 1t is no longer matter Of op-
ton, but demand of stern necessity.
Other communities less fav ored by nature,
and Of less reputation for public spirit and
push, have not been so slow in discovering
from what quarter relief must come, and I'M
less something tangible and practicable is
done shortly, Staunton will nave 20 yield
her reputation as the most go.a-head little
city OF the South. We don It want to see
any buster and fuss, but a quiet, determin
ed intent to produce.