Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-01-19

.H.E AN W 20
already been stated, one of the two first mills
failed entirely the other succeeded only after
several years of difficulty and embarrassment;
while the third which was run under the then
supposed disadvantage Of steam instead OF wa
ter power, was an assured success from the
beginning. A hint has already been given as
to the solution. Besides being sagaclous
business man, the proprietor of the successful
mill had ample means. His operations were
not cramped by Indebtedness Several mills
subsequently built, no doubt encouraged by the
success Of Mr.. Humphries, needless and una
ware of his great secret, in the eagerness TO
increase their capacity, or even to enable them
to build, incurred indebtedness, which, no
difference what their profits or dividends, had
to be promptly met. The consequence was,
they could not sufficiently control their funds
to enable them to take any advantage OF a
falling market, nor could they on the other
hand, hold the productions Of their mills for
advancing prices. It was case OF from
shand to mouth" The raw material must be
bought in small quantities, regardless Of price,
or the machinery must stop and the goods
must be sold at what they would fetch, or no
col ton could be bought. Herein lies the true
secret of success in manufacturing, whether
in New England or South Carolina. Ofcourse
it must be supposed that the master spirit OF
the mill has business tact and financial abill-
ty then let the mill steer clear of debt, with
sufficient capital for judicious investment in
the raw material at any time the opportunity
presents, and no danger need be apprehended.
But in manufacturing, it is well demonstra-
ted fact, that on any other conditions, or by
any other system than above indicated, disas-
ter may come at any time. ..s ..s-s..
Such was the fate Of every old mill on Deep
River, if have been correctly informed. The
war found them in debt but during that Pc
riod they were run to their utmost capacity,
deriving no profit, however, and being una
BILE OH account of remoteness from the cotton
country and the lack of transportation facili-
ties, to even accumulate supply OF the staple.
But the war, which was 80 devastating to
nearly every industry Of peace and art, proved
more than any other test that could have been
applied, the value and Importance of cotton
mills in the South, and demonstrated, too,
that with proper management they could be
successfully and proftably operated.
At the close of hostilities, nearly all the
machinery in the State, for want of proper at
tention and repair, during continuous SER
vice of four years, was well nigh worn out
and comparatively worthless a; besides which,
in Northern mills machinery for producing
the same goods was being replaced by improv-
ed and better styles. Fortunately for the
Deep River factories, their property escaped
the scourge of war, and as recuperation set In,
the spirit of manufacturing revived. Import
ant lessons had been learned and by these les
sons men Of energy and enterprise determined
to profit. The old manufacturing companies
either re-organized or sold out to new parties,
and again the hum Of the spindle and the
click Of the loom was heard in the land.
The village from which write was then
known as the Union Manufacturing Company.
It is the first mill we reach after leaving the
railroad at High Point, from which it is six
teen miles distant, on Deep River. This river,
the aboriginal name of which is Sapponah, is a
stream not nearly so large as your own BEAU
tiful Catawba, or majestic Broad, flowing
through Guilford and Randolph into Chatham,
where, uniting with Haw River, the Cape
Fear is formed. The section through which
it flows is billy and fertile, and many fine wa
ter powers are afforded, every one OF which, 1t
is predicted, will be utilized with manufactur-
ing machinery before the close Of this decade.
After the close Of the war, the affairs of the
Union Company were wound up and the prop
erty was sold at auction, Mr.. John B. Randle-
man. practical mill man, becoming one OF
the purchasers, the village subsequently taking
his name. Under his sagacious management
a complete transformation was quickly made.
The old machinery was replaced with new OF
the most approved quality, and as showing how
well he understood the Importance OF econo-
missing in floor room as well as utilizing power,
he placed rs looms on the same space that for
years previously had been occupied by only 70.
Other important changes Of similar character
were introduced the building was enlarged
to more than double it's former capacity, and
now besides all necessary preparatory machine
ry, there are in operation 3, 400 spindles and
2S0 looms the looms running on plalds ex-
clusiyely, and as no warps are sold the weaving
capacity consumes the product of the spindles.
Mr.. Randleman, whose untimely death, three
or four years ago, was a serious loss to the
manufacturing interests Of the State was the
first in the South to perceive the Importance or
augnenting and supplementing water power
with steam, this agent being Indispensable IN
connection with water power for maintaining
uniform speed, so important IN producms
goods of even, regular quality. Besides the
water power at this mill, Corliss double en-
gine, Of $50 horse power will soon be put in to
replace another Of less power. The Randle-
man mill is now under the financial manage
ment Of Mr.. ]. Fl. Feree, a gentleman OF ex-
perience and fine business capacity, who was
connected with Mr.. Randleman from the date
of his purchase of the property.
One mile below Randleman is a new estaD-
lshment, known as Naomi Falls Manufactur-
ing Company, under the management OF Mr..
Feree as president, and Mr.. J. E. Walker as
secretary and treasurer. By the courtesy OF
the latter gentleman I was conducted through
the establishment, and was forcibly impressed
with the many improvements in the construc-
tion of this house over those previously DullI
On the river. 1t is designed on the most eco
nomic plan as to securing every attalnaDle
advantage at the least outlay OF expense or Ia
Dor. The house is of brick, and though but
one story with basement, is of handsome and
imposing architectural design. 1t is 3O7 feet
long by "a in width, all the machinery beingo on
one floor, under which is the main shafting,
instead of overhead, the many advantages OF
which are apparent. The equipment OF this
mill, besides all preparatory machinery. con-
sists Of 4,G0S spindles and 1l8 looms, the looms
consuming the production Of the spindles and
turning out 10000 yards of plaids per sixty
hours0a weeks work. The water power here
is supplemented with Buckeye engine Of l25
horse power. The machinery of the mil! IS
under the superintendent of MI. j. o: Pick
ard in, the spinning department, and Rev.
Amos Gregson in the weaving Department.
efficient men, who were brought up to the bus
mess in the Randleman mill. This mill gives
employment to 100 operatives, and connected
with the property are 81 tenement houses, 3O
of which are two-story, built on regular streets,
I'd nd nar6pn to each lQuSe