Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-07-18
Native of Augusta Prospecting in the
Buckeye States-Manufactur of Re-


Mr.. M. G. Lilley, of the firm of NJ. G. Lilley
& Co., of Columbus, Ohio, is a brother of the
late Col. James NJ. Lilley of this city. This
firm commenced in 1865 the manufacture of re-
galias and other paraphernalia for Masons, Odd
Fellows, knight of Pythias. &C., which has
grown Into mammoth proportions They have
recently erected new building lOOx6O feet with
four stories and a basement. In the lower story
fourteen clerks, each with q separate desk, are
kept busy. In the salesroom and packing
room eight persons are employed. In the sew
ing room on the second floor 100 ladies are at
work, and in a room adjoining this there are ~
ladies employed in embroidering different ar
ticles with silver, gold, Silk and other mate
rials. In another room two gentlemen are en-
gagged in cutting and preparing articles for the
sewing room. In addition to the manufacture
of regalias, &C.. this firm publishes three
monthly journals devoted respectively to the
Masonic. Odd Fellows, and Pythias fraternities.
Last year there was paid out for printing alone
$500. On the third floor society emblems and
badges of every description are male, and gold
and silver plating executed, employing in this
department So persons:
The Columbus Dispatch says:
"The next room is occupied by the Leather
shop, where seven persons are employed max
ing BELTS sword cases, cuffs, and military
equipments. The next is the Tailor shop,
where uniforms are made for College, Society.
Band, and Military purpose Here are en-
ployed twenty persons. Ascending to the
fourth floor. we find first. the paint shop, where
is conducted the painting of Banners, Flags,
Transparencies, Charts etc., as well as the
etching of monograms, and other ornaments,
on the Ivory grips and blades Of swords. Here
five persons are employed. We now arrive at
the Hat shop, where eight persons are engaged
in manufacturing military and society hats.
The material used being 1elt, silk. and. gossa-
mer. The rest of this floor is taken up with
stock and store room. We now descend to the
basement, which we find used for the storage
of goods and material peculiar to secret socie-
ties. We were not permitted to enter one
room in this part OF the building. The reason
was not given, but we will hazard guess that
in that Blue Beard Chamber there is confined
goodly number of ferocious goats.
Thus we find that in this busy hive there are
employed 2S persons and an immense CAPT tal
for the purpose Of providing the paraphernalia
used by secret societies principally, and as
there are in all large cities establishments de-
voted to the same business, though there is
probably none of such size as this, it can read
lily be seen that in addition to the material aid
which these societies provide for their members
prosperity of the county.
In addition to the building on Gay street,
Messrs. Lilley & Co. have what they term a
wood shop. This is located IN Hildreth & Mar
tins building. and i, used for the manufA cture
Of officers chairs, affairs, stands, f1ag-poles,
ballOt-boXes etc. Here are employed twelve
persons, making altogether the number of en-
ployes 249, for whom the weekly payroll
amounts to about 81 900.''