The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-12-08
wonrnr OF CONSOLIDATION
A Communication Setting Forth the
Feasibility of Establishing "a
Starch Factory in EN-

pOFfa.
The following letter conveys iniorma-
tion which may be employed with profit
by capitalists seeking safe and remuncr-
alive Investments, and its suggestions
are especially commended 10 such of our
business men as are interested in the
continued growth and permanent pros
periiy of Emporia:
MADISON, INDIANA, Nov. %, 1881.
Fan r. Holmes, Esq, EmpoTfa, Kansas.
DEAR SIR: Since my return from the
west have been approached by practi
Cal starch manufacturers who have been
investigating the resources of the west,
and TO whom have presented the many
advantages Of Emporia and the probable
inducements that might be offered by its
citizens In view of this it has occurred
to me to give some description of this
important industry in this city and en-
courage an effort to make your city an
important centre for the manufacture of
this product
In this city, about the year 1857 was
commenced the pioneer starch factory
of The west; for the manufacture of the
unchemicallcd kind, by parties of very
limited means, and from very moderate
beginning it has grown to- immense
proportions, the product aggregaling in
this city aloha annually over a million
dollars and employing over two hundred
hands, besides furnishing local market
for every pound of corn raised for miles
around. In fact, these factories are
compelled Ia draw supplies from dis
tant points in Illinois as well as your
own state. But so active has competi-
ton become for the crude article through
the erection of new factories through
the corn regions OF this stale and Hi
noise that the price of corn has advanced
to a point where it will be necessary to
remove to he corn growing countries OF
the west where ihe article can be found
in larger quantities and at a more
reasonable price. In fact, the same con
ditions which have caused pork packing
to become Improbable through this
region will soon move this important
industry west. The two prime desider
alta for this manufacture are
cheap corn of the white variety
and clear, good water. These you have
in abundance, and being contiguous &c
the coal fields of eastern Kansas, fuel
will always be cheap.
The lowest price corn has reached in
this section for series of years has beer
from SO TO 40 cents bushel. Comparing
these prices with your own you will SEE
what great advantage you necessarily
have over our own manufacturers. Out
side of few skilled hands it is moi
necessary to have high-priced labor
and that take it you can supply
as cheaply as here. l learn that
factory complete, with all modern
Improvements, ready to run, can be pu
up for from thirty-fiv to forty-tive thous
and dollars, and that of the largest class
feel confident that with proper en-
couragement men of means, thoroughly
conversnnt with this industry and all III
branches, may be induced 10 remove Il
Emporia, and there can be no doubt a!
to the sale of the entire product at re
munerative prices, new uses being found
for this commodity every day, and Its
consumption being us extensive as civil
lIzation itself
hope to see discussion of this i'm
portant subject through the columns o.
your papers and an early and successful
effort made to secure large starch fac
} tory in Emporia.
If you think best you can have thi
published as starter.
Yours, &C.,
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