The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-14
Manufacturing.

Manufacturing.
In September last the FREE TRADER made the
prediction that the most important step in Otta-
was progress as manufacturing point made
during the past ten years was the organization
of the Ottawa Bottle Company. That that pre-.
diction was true prophecy the events of the
past few days are proving beyond the shadow of =
doubt.
OF all Ottawas advantages her possibilities as
a glass making point stand first, par excellence.
The Ottawa Bottle Company was organized by
business men who, while believing firmly there
was money In it, yet looked at the subject chief
ly In the light Of an experiment. They deter
mined, however, to work the thing "for all it
was WORTH" They were specially happy in their
choice of officers Every one in Ottawa knows
the thoroughness with which w. ii. Hull, the
president, works any matter in which he takes
an interest. He has done everything president
could do But it may be said the hard work has
been done by the secretary and manager, Mr.. c.
ID. Trmble Probably no man in Ottawa could
have been selected for that position who would
have proven so completely satisfactory. He has
made himself thoroughly master OF the situa-
tion," and, combining energy with fine execu-
tive ability has SO worked for the general good
OF the company as to satisfy his colleagues in the
company that there ID no man better qualified
for his position; and in him they have the most
implicit confidence.
ness particularly, yet we can say on the best
authority that notwithstanding season pecu-
liary hard for the business-a long, cold winter,
snow blockades, flood blockades, and railroad
strikes-the company at the end of the year will.
at least, not show a loss.
During most of the months since the organiza.
ton of that Company, DR.. Harris has been talk
ing flint glass. At his own expense Of time,
stationery and postage, with an eye single to
Ottawa's progress, he has been corresponding
with glassmakers on this subject. Having gath
cred his information he then hunted for man
qualified to build and superintend such works,
finding many who claimed to be SUCH only to
throw them aside, until he discovered, out in
Iowa. Mr.. Leighton, a man spoken Of in the
highest terms, who the doctor believed was the
man he was looking for. In all his correspond
ence, Mr. Leighton showed he was practical
man-that he understood his business. When
the time came for active work. the was put
to Mr.. Leighton and he came here, arriving on
Wednesday and going to WORK immediately
without waste of time. On Wednesday he met
with a number of our capitalists, among whom
were the stockholders of the Ottawa Bottle Com.
pany Some of these through the operations of
company had pretty good knowledge OF what
a mechanical superintendent should be. These
all agreed that Mr.. Leighton is the man they
want
A preliminary meeting was held on Wednes-
day afternoon. Mr.. Leighton was pumped"
and made Il most favorable impression The up
shot Of it was the creation of the belief that If
the new company could be consolidated with the
Ottawa Bottle Co., made one strong company
with capital of $50, 900 say, and kept under the
same management, the works would be built.
Such is the confidence Of the public in the good
management of this company that capitalists
expressed themselves willing to put their
money into the charge Of Mr.. Trimble and Mr..
Hull, who were unwilling to run the chances Of
an entirely new management. And aside from
this view the saving in salaries by such ar
ran cement is an item to be considered.
On Thursday second meeting was held, at
which majority of the Bottle Co. stock was
represented. Eli members expressed them
tIat
crease its stock to the amount necessary to build
and operate the flint glass house in addition to
the present works, the present members to have
the right to increase their subscriptions as they
wish, and agreeing to admit such new members
to the company as would be necessary to secure
the requisite amount of capital.
There the matter rests. That the requisite
amount of capital will be raised we have no
doubt; That there is profit TO be made we be-
lieve there is also no doubt And here are some
of the figures Mr.. Leighton presents for public
consideration after studying the facts Ottawa
presents: Putting materials at their highest
cost and other things In our favor at their low
est, he announces that saving can be made in
running expenses at Ottawa over his late loca-
ton in Iowa Of about $4,000 year on house
of the same capacity 1t is still greater as com.
pared with Pittsburgh or Wheeling.
At the meeting Of Thursday q committee OF
four-W. III. Hull, DR.. j. o. Harris, A. Lynch
and II. T. Gilbert-were appointed to secure
subscriptions of stock, who have secured all the
money needed.
OTTAWA TILE COMPANY.
The "Ottawa Tile Company" have COM
menced work for the season. Their inten-
ton was to get under way two weeks ago, but
the amount of building and the numerous
changes which they have made took more time
than they anticipated. Now that Ottawa can
justly claim having a frst-class establishment
for the manufacture OF drain tile and hollow tile
for the various purposes Of making q building
thoroughly fre-proof, brief history Of the con-
ception and growth of this branch OF industry
NAV not be amiss. Two years ago Geo. Jekyll
became the owner Of the building east OF his
planning mill, which was erected by Mr. Geo. X
ToZer for the manufacture of draia tile but for
some cause the enterprise was abandoned MIR
Jekyll formed a company consisting of Mr. Al
Griffin, OF Utica, 5. X. Blanchard and himself.
Mr.. Jekyll ticking charge of the works They
succeeded so well the first year, and requiring
more room, that last year Mr.. Jekyll closed lis
planning mill and quit the building business.
using all the power and buildings in the manu-
lecture of drain tile and brick and devoting hi.
whole time to the business. They found them.
selves unable to meet the demand. and their
books show well for the management Last