The Russellville Democrat., 1882-02-16
THE REMINGT0NS.
Men Who Have Made Big Fortunes Out of
 Firearms.
NY. Cor. Cincinnati Gazette.

N. |. Cor. Cincinnati Gazette
 The Remington brothers, whose New York establishment for the sale of arms, and also the sewing machines and the type writer, are so well known, are a remarkable trio. Samuel Remington represents the house in this city, while Philo and Eliphalet conduct the manu- featuring department at Ilion. The his tory of this firm contains some points of more than usual interest. Sixty years ago Eliphalet Remington, an ingenious and industrious blacksmith, lived in the vicinity of what is now Ilion. Game was then plenty, and being in need of rifle for his own use, he undertook the manufacture of a barrel which was rudely fitted with a stock, and proved success. He then made others for his neighbors, and soon won a reputation for such weapons. Eventually Utica gunsmith gave him orders for all he could make, since in point of straight ness and accuracy they excelled the best productions of Birmingham and Enfield In 1929 Eliphalet Remington removed to the locality of the present works, which was then a meadow with fine water power. Here he erected machine. " and continued the gun making, as sisted by his three sons. In 1861 the old gentleman died, leaving his sons good name and the inception of great business. He had no idea, however, of the future which was before them, and which was so suddenly to open in such wonderful power.
 When the rebellion broke out our government saw it's need of arms. The old fashioned musket, with which our troops were at first equipped, was alto gether unsuitable, and it was then that the Remingtons proved adequate to the emergency. They built an enormous armory and supplied the government with their improved rifles at a lower rate than elsewhere. The Remington rifle is lighter than the English En- field rifle, and at the same time is more accurate. The Remingtons, indeed, had introduced all modern improvements, and in addition to rifles, they manufac. tured superior revolver, which the government soon ordered for cavalry service. The Remington revolver was sold at one-half the price of Colts, though it cost full as much to manufac- ture, and hence the saving to our gov ernment on a contract of 30,000 was $300,000. During the rebellion the Rem-
 
 day and night, and 500 workmen were employed. Every weapon, after it was finished, was tested by the government inspector, and as they went into eff cient service, it may be said that these brothers did their share toward the sup pression of Southern treason.
 In view of the close of hostilities the Remingtons prepared for the arts of peace by building an extensive agricul tural works, which.has for years been in successful operation. They also intro duced the Remington sewing machine and to this was added the type writer, Their arms, however had reached such fame in Europe that one of the firm (Samuel) went abroad and remained several years. He made contracts with a number of European powers and also with the Khedive of Egypt, and the su- periority of the Remington arms was generally admitted. A few years ago Samuel Remington returned and estab- lished himself in this city as the agent of the firm, and the type writer forms 8 leading feature in the business.
 I had occasion recently to visit Ilion after an interval of nineteen years, and noticed the changes and improvements. When l first knew the spct (lS5O) the old gentleman was making rifle barrels in a small way, assisted by Philo. Sam uel kept store and Eliphalet was but a boy. The village hardly contained more than q score Of dwellings, and no one then could have imagined its future importance. In 1863 1 was again called thither and found large place, alive with the intensity of the great conflict. Eliphalet had become an active mem Der of the firm, while Samuel was at tending to government contracts, and Philo was uperintending the vast oper- ations Last week was there again and met Philo, who is but little changed by the lapse of intervening years. Elipha- let is little stouter, but has the same genial manners. The works were in active operation, and the population now numbers 4,000, most of ofwhom depend on the Remingtons It is certainly re- markable that this trio of brothers should have lived So long and remained SO united, not only in business, but in 1 fraternal affection. The Remingtons are noted for benefcence, but do not mention this to encourage begging let