Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-09-01

means satisfied with his efforts, and, all
though it seomod at first as if he was on
the road to fortune, he soon discovered to
his cost that much of his labor was profit
less and useless. Tho cost of building the
mill was very great, but the profits FROM tho
manufacture of the cotton thread were
nil, and go they remained for years.
Nothing could resist the patient industry
of the Jealous inventor Step by step no
overoame all hsa difficulties, and tho mills
proved baooessfdl. Now, surely his re-
ward must bo near! But no! As soon as
the Lancushiro manufacturers found that
20 mills were likely to provo Injurious to
heir interests, they set to work to- ruin
them. A mill near Chorlcy was wrecked
by mob in the presence of forco oom-
posed of military and police. Arkwright
was the workingmen's cueny and should
be suppressed. The material manufactured
ut the mills must not be purchased. His
patent must be questioned in tho courts,
and, huving been questioned, the courts do
cided against him.
"Wcll, VIC have done the old shaver at
last" cried somo one, loud enough for
Arkwright to hear tho remark, as he walked
away from the court house.
"Nevor mind; Two razor left that will
shave you ALL" answered tho old barber
fcareasIy.
Aud ho did it. His mills roso in differ
ent parts of the country, and the excel
lcnoe Of his manufactures carried tho mar
kct with him, until he became the recog
nized head Of the cotton spinners. In.
deed, tho very opposition no met with
seemed to increase his wealth. Tho en-
ploymcut Of the yarn produced by his mills
was discouraged by tho other mill owners,
who dubbed together to prevent tho use Of
cotton warp, and thus to throw Oh enora
nous quantity Of useless stock upon the
inventors hands. Arkwright and his
partner took counsel togethet, and decided
to manufacture the yarn into stockings. The
attempt was successful, and they then set
to work to make cotton calicoes, such as
are used 80 extensively to this day.
But even here fresh difficulties presented
themselves. Every step of tho way was
bristling with obstacles. Tho rovehuo
officers discovered, as they thought, reasous
for charging the firm twice as much
duty as other manufacturers paid. 1t
was so evident that plot was on foot to
crush him that Arkwright appealed to
Parliament, and had the good fortune to
obtain declaratory act, authorizing the
excise to charge him only the ordinary
rate. This seemed to be the turning point
in his history. Such persistent effort as
his could not fail to overcome prejudiccs,
difficulties, fear, and factions. He outlived
them all, and tho tide OF wealth 80 long de-
lnyed and so richly earned flowed in upon
him ut last. The man was thorough. We
see him toling 10 his mills, organiSibg and
directing often from four in the morning
till nine at night. At tho age of fifty ho
snatchcs little time each day to learn
English grammar and writing. Eighteen
years after he first showed his model in
Preston, he sas made High Sheriff Of the
county of Dcrbyshire. And among the
numerous applicants for his new spinning
frame was one who twenty years before had
laughed at "Travcling Dick Arkwrisht'
and his few sticks and bobbins in tho far"
mer's kitchen in Lancashire. In 1856 he
presented. a cougratuatory address to
George ILL.,, and received the honor Of
Snigbthood.
Sir Richard Arkwright was man Of
whom any country might we'll be proud
|
zee the secret of his strength and success.
It was his courageous pcrsevcrancc-his
dauptless energy. No obstacle could
frighten him from his purpose; no
opposition could turn him. Between the
barbcr's apprentice of Preston and the high
Sheriff of Derbyshirc there is wide gulf,
but it was no magician's wand that changed
the pauper into the knight 1t wus that
noble industry which has go enriched our
land, and has brought so many Of Eng
lands poorest sons from obsourity to sit
among princes, and to receive the homage
of the civilized world as its truest bencfac-
tors.
From lis youth he had boon sufferer
from asthma, and his sedentary life, tho
result of overwhelming business, brought
on complications that proved fatal at the
comparatively early ago of sixty. lie died
in 1902, leaving behind for all time an cxs
ample of industry and courageous perse
veranoe which the poorest moy follow with
tho oertninty of benefit to themselves and
their generation.
Georgia is to have now capi-
tol building in place Of the present
poor Structure, which was hastily
erected for another purpose, but
purchased for the States uso dur
ing the Bullock regime. The new
capitol is to cost $l, 100000, and
five years is to be allowed for it's