The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-10-09
RANK1N.s WOODEN FAcroRY.-very few

| RANKIN's WOODEN Personal---very. few
| persons in or out OF the county have knowl.
edge OF the complete arrangements for max
Ing wooden goods possessed at Rankins
Factory, located in the southeastern part OF
the county, about twelve miles from Staun-
ton, and six from Waynesboro and Fishers.
vile. The goods turned on: by this estab-
lishment eare well known throughout the
State and beyond it's limits, as they stand
very high in the market, and OF course no
other than the best machinery could be used
in manufacturing such superior articles OF
WOODEN fabrics. The machinery Is all OF the
most improved patterns, and everything
about the factory is in such perfect order,
and under such systematic and thorough
management, that glance through the
building explains the success which has at
tended the enterprise. There are four card
ers-two lor single width, one for double,
and one for treble width goods-turning ont
loo yards day when working on full time.
There are 24O spuols, operated BY machine
presenting an interesting contrast with the
old spinning wheel, such as we recently
saw in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, used
by the wife Of DR.. BENZ. Rush, OF Rev lu'
tionary fame, and indeed, now employed in
many localities in Virginia. The wool
washing and picking are done by machine.
ry, and in fact, every process through which
the wool has to 60, after it leaves the sleeps
back, improved machinery, equal to any in
the more pretentious factories Of the East,
is employed. 1t is an interesting sight to
look upon the entire combination Of ma
chinery used in this factory, in simultaneous
motion, each performing it's essential part to
the completion OF the whole, and moving
with the order and system Of living inteli-
gence and calculation.
Mr.. Rankin has very unique and CON-
plete establishment, and to examine 1t, fur
nishes the explanation Of the superior
goods manufactured there-goods which find
market in nearly all the principal towns
of the State, and some OF them ordered even
from New York.
The success Of tins important in dustry is
evidence of what might be done in Virginia
in the manufacturing line. Locat ing on
this property when it was In its primitive
growth, a saw mill was erected to convert
the timber into lumber, which found ready
market; then farm was laid out and i'm
proved until now it is one Of the most in
wiling in appearance and productiveness to
be found in the countyS then the factory
was erected, and where few years ago was
perfect wild, there are all the surround ings
Of active enterprise, domestic comfort, and
advanced business prosperity.
The intelligent superintendent, Mr.. Fl.
Overing, northern man by birth and edu-
cation, is very pronounced la his notions
about the advantages of Virginia and the
fine field it presents for the Industrious
farmers of his native section who are look
ing for new and cheap homes. He is d.
recting his attention to inducing colony Of
Pennsylvania farmers to coma to this por-
ton OF Virginia, to examine the waste lands,
which can now DO purchased at nominal
price, and which in few years, under their
we'll directed energies, could be converted
into comfortable homes and thriving neigh
borhoods. Not only could profitable farms
be made of what is now covered by under
growth, but the beautiful streams utilized
for manufacturing purposes grapes and
fruits OF all kinds grown to perfection, and
stock raising, especially sheep, be carried on
to great profit. Indeed there are thousands
and thousands Of acres Of waste lands, not |
now producing the taxes that have to be |
paid on them, which could be converted into |
active, tax-paying property, and furnishing |
substantial and remunerative returns to a !
large population, if proper efforts were |
made to bring them into notice, What we |
want in Virginia lie good deal moro Of yam. |
kee inudstryingenuity and pluck, and getting
them here our waste places would be made
to blossom as the rose, school houses and |
churches spring up for the intellectual and
moral culture Of neglected children, and
general progress and prosperity follow.
This pioneer industry of the Messrs. Ran
kin may yet be the means of inviting a
hardy population to take hold Of the wild
lands of that section Of the county to the
benefit of themselves and the good OF the
county and State.
MY Crra