Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-08-18
CAROLINA,

still stands although it has since been re-
modelled and enlarged. md from and around
this and around Rhode Island as the cradle
Of this industry has grown this great utter.
est iu this country
In an olliciul report made be the secrc-
tary Of the treasury in 1910, it is stated
that there were then 81 mile, containing
$4,000 spindlcs, employing 1000 hands,
with capital Of $4,000 consuming
10000 pounds Of cotton, worth $780,
600. These were located in the several
States, one of which was ia South Carolina
aud was driven by horse power
According to the census of 1860, just
previous to the late civil war, the number
of mills then was l,09l with capital of
S9S, ,5S5,2 ,2G9, running 5,235,727 spiudlcs
and l26,3l3 looms, employing l22,028
persons and producing goods valued at
SIG, 5,G8l.74l. OF these $50 mills, run
ming 290,359 spiudcs and G,713 looms.
were in the Southern States, which is 81
per cent. of tho whole.
BY the census of 1880 there were then
1921. .l47 spindlcs, 230,223 looms, con.
suming l.5SG,lSl bales of cotton, anu
employing lSl,62S persons, of which ,60S,.
28G spndles, consuming lS6,223 bales Of
cotton and employing 1928 persons were
in the Southern States, which is 5 G,l0
per cent. of the whole amount. Thus it
will be seen that as tho Southern people
commenced to grow cotton tho Northern
people commenced TO spin aud weave it
and send it b,ck to us in manufactured
goods, by which operation they have made
immense sums OF money.
THE FIRST COTTON Factory IN SOUTH
CAROLINA.
The first cotton factory built in South
Carolina was by Mr.. Murant, in Sumter
county, which was driven by horse power,
and was not a success. The late Rev Thos
ilutchiogs purchased the machinery from
Murant and moved it to place now known
as Pelham, in Grccnvillc county, where il
was burnt in 1925 The next one was by
the Wcavers, on Tiger River, in Spartan
burg county, now known as the "burnt fac.
tory" tho next by the Hills, four miles
above that of the Viewers on the s1mc
stream; the ucxt probably by John Weaver,
in Grcen:iic county. Tho factory near
Columbia, uLd that ut Vaucusc, then in
E1gcfcd county, were built about the
same time, and soon afterwards BYiugsvillc,
near Glendale, in Spartunburg county,
and BltcsYillc and McBac's in Grconyillc
county
Prior to the late civil war little effort
was made to increase this industry at the
South. She was then exclusively an agri-
cultural section, with institutions pcculiar
to herself which probably we're not farora-
bic for its development. The sentiments
of tho people for the most part did not
favorit. Capitalists we're not inclined to
invest in it, and tho politicians opposed
It. The few mills that were built ty the
energy and determination of q few bold
spirits struggled manfully for an existence
many we're forced to sucoumb to the pro
vailing circumstances by which they we've
surrounded; others more plucky, by tho
utmost CXcrtion, economy and prudence,
barely sustained themselves.
a new condition Of things and changed
sentiment amongst the people prevail at
present; with the changed relations of So
cicty aud institutions q sentiment favorable
to diversity of pursuits has developed.
Almost every one is willing and anxious to
work at anything that is remuncrativc md
honorable; every individual must stand or
fail in the estimation Of the people on his
own individual merits and consequently
disposition is manifested to develop the
many resources heretofore lying dormant or
hidden. Capital when nccddd is furnished
and men of energy, enterprise and ability
develop. Railroads arc extending their
lines, cities and towns are being built man
ufactures of every kind are being con-
structed; and tho general sentiment Of the
people is to utilize oil the facilities within
their reach which Providence has bestowed
upon them so bountifuIly. Under such
circumstances it is natural that the public
mind should be directed to tho manufacture
of their great staple.
TIE SOUTH ADVANCES 10 PER CENT.
The natural advantages for mauufactur-
ing many of the heavier varieties of cotton
goods at tho South are admitted by oil in
telligent and practical manufacturers at the
North who have Investigated the subject
impa-tialIy, and become sufficiently familiar
with it in all its relations to form an intcll
gent and reliable opinion. None of them
that am aware of estimates the advantages
at less then Is to 20 per cent as compared
With Northern mills in making tho Same
class OF goods.
TO manufacture successfully anywhere
several essentials must oxist to greater or
less degree by nature, and must combine
and be developed by skill and intelligence to
succeed; amorgst which as tho most promi
ncnt may be mentioned a salubrious climate |
suited to the purpose, reliable aud cheap
power; population from which may be
drawn q sufficient number of efficient oper.-
ativos, cheap labor, accessibility to the raw
material, prompt and cheap transportation,
q damn nd Enr thn moods that ,n:n .aEo .Lan,