Daily Republican., 1881-12-14
THE MOROCCO TRADE.
OHE OF THE LEADING INDUS.
TRIES OF WILMINGTON.
A Glance Into Several OF the
Largest FactOrios-The state OF
tho Trade 1t Tho Present
Time-Number Of skins
Tanned Per Dsy-Num-
Der Of Men In.
plOyed.

this city are, as a general thing, live,
vigorous and progressive men, liberal
and high minded in their business re-
lationS public spirited and quick to
seize upon every opportunity to ad-
vance the interests of their city. Jeal-
ous of her honor and reputation, they
are enhancing both, every year, by
high standard of the goods they dis
tribute to almost every part of the
world
Among the most important, of the
industries Of this city, is the manufac.
ture of morocco, which in amount Of
capital employed and value of product,
stands second only to the manufacture
of iron. The different firms engaged in
the business have established a reputa-
ton for the quality Of their goods that
are second 10 none in this or any other
country. The leather is made exclu-
sively from goat skins, which are pro-
cured in all parts Of the world, the
largest number coming from the East
Indies. The skins from each country
have distinctive characteristics, and it
| is an easy matter for an expert to tell
| by the appearance Of the finished pro-
duct, from what part of the world the
skins were brought At the present
time goat skins are scarce and very
high, and no little trouble is expe-
rienced by the manufacturers, in pro-
curing the necessary number in order
to run their business successfully.
| At the pr, sent time, (what is termed
"between seasons, the trade is not so
active, although several firms are busy,
while the others are running on full
time, looking forward to brisk trade
at the commencement of the new year.
The demand, at the present time, is tor
the highest grade of morocco. The
principal markets for these goods are
New York, Boston and the East. Many,
however, are shipped to all parts Of the
world. In 1858, the business, in this
city, was in its infancy. Since that
time, it has steadily grown, until now
it assumes vast proportions, and IS one
of the leading industries Of Whining
ton, and the centre CT the morocco
| trade in the country.
The number Of factories now are
thirteen, the most prominent Of which is
| that Of
| PUSEY, SCOTT K co.,
| :. w. corner of Third and Madison
streets. Their building fronts on Mad
isou, running hack half way to Monroe;
to this they have added, from time to
time, several additions, which form an
| l. the whole presenting an imposing
appearances, and is a regular bee hive
of industry. They employ about l6o
men, and have a capacity for turning
out 200 dozen skins per day. The
average number turned out during the
quiet season is about 100 dozen. They
report business steady and the general
outlook good, with an increased de-
man for better grade OF work.
W. JONES x co.
are the next in prominence, and occupy
spacious buildings, fronting on Walnut
street above Front, and close by the
r., W. Il b. X. K. depot, which give
ample room for the machinery and
equipments necessary for the prosecu-
|t,m of their large business. This firm
|employ 40 hands, and has a capacity
for turning ont l2O dozen skins per day,
which find ready sale in New York,
Boston and other Eastern cities. They
renort busines little dull at the pres
ent time, but the outlook good for the
future.
WILLIAM BUSH \ CO.,
located on Walnut street near Second,
is one of the Oldest firms in the city,
having started business in 1858. They
contine themselves entirely to the man
utacture of skins from THnpicO, Curra-
Goa, Buenos AyreS and the Cape OF
Good Hope. They receive the raw ma
teria from these places, from which is
made the best and finest qualities OF
morocco leather. Their buildings are
very large, having front on Walnut
street of 20 feet, and running back some
300 feet, with wings extending from
Front to Second streets, and in them IS
machinery of all descriptions, applica-
BILE to this special manufacture, much
of it of their own invention. Among
other machines which they were the
first to introduce, was the sewing ma
chine for sewing the raw skins into
bags for tanning, and they have now
in use the first machine that was ever
made that would sew wet skin. They
have capacity for turning out about
So dozen Cape and Tampico skins per
|day. These skins are Of unusual size,
being twice and sometimes three times
as large rs those usually turned out i'll
other factories. They employ about SO
men. This firm has established high
; reputation for the uniform good quality
of their product. They report business
not overly brisk, but are running the
usual number of hands.
JOHN q. BAKER,
No. 7O3 East Fifth street, started in this
enterprise many years ago, having re-
moved from Philadelphia, where he
learned the business. Mr.. Baker buys
only the best Grass Of skins, uses the
sewing machine devised expressly for
his work, has an improved method OF
tanning, and makes superior grade OF
morocco, which tact has caused hls
fame to spread far and wide. Some sc
hands are employed by him, and their
capacity in about 20 dozen skins per
day. As this is the time Of year when
this business is usually dull, work is
nos very brisk, but the prospect for a
good trade next year is very encour-
aging.
| CHARLES BAIRD x CO.,
corner Third and Tatna' streets, Is a
prominent establishment for this spe'
cial trade, and has been in eXistence ce
some sixteen years. Mr.. Baird carries
large and weI.Selected stock, giving
employment to about 90 men and turns
OUT about 30 dozen skins per day. re
uses all the mach merry Of the modern
device in the production Of a superior
quality of morocco which meets with
ready sale. Mr.. Baird reports business
unusually brisk for this time Of year,
and they are working full force.
j. rARKE PoSTLEs
occupies large and handsome buildings
on West Fourth street, near orange
and does an extensive business. III
, has been identified with the industry
since 1864, having succeeded his father
!, Mr.. s. Postles, who is one Of the oldes
pioneers of this industry in Whining
= TON hnt retired from active buSineS