Daily Republican., 1882-10-02
FOURTHEDITION
MODEL ROARDINQ HOUSE.

name has never changed, but William
NJ. Field the son-in-law of the late
James Riddle is the principal and act
i've member of the firm. The old cotton
mills occupied by James Riddle more
thana generation ago have been enlarged
until their capacity has twice doubled
ard instead of the fifty to one hundred
hands formerly employed, over four
hundred women and men keep up the
constant rattle of spinning jennies and
the clatter of hundreds of looms.
All along tho hill which overlooks
the Brandy ~ times placid and
still and at other tunes reused into q
roaring fury by raging storms, stands
probably hundred tenement, dwelling
houses for the operators, VIII le on the
macadamized road leading to the
pla, Q, stands the old store Riddle man
sion, once the abode of wealth and
luxury, every door, window, porch, bal.
cony, being illustrative OF the good
cheer, happiness, prosperity and con.
tentment that once reigned within.
The circular lawn, the pump that at
a touch sends forth gushing streams of
sparkling cold water, the stately oak
and locusts, the declivity to the Bran
dywine, the garden, the sloping green
fields in front aud the village church
with its spire reaching far above the
tops of the tall ast Trees, all CombiDe to
make a picture of rural beauty and con-
tentment but seldom met with. The
mills clatter on, the population has iu-
creased, but death has reveled in the
hospitable stone mansion, and the father
and son, the joy and lite of the neigh
borhood, sleeps the quiet sleep of death
in the q uiet and picturesque cemetery
of Mt. Salem Church
The mother and daughter still live to
gladden. the househo" OF William NJ,
Field in beautitHi mansion on the
higher slope of the hln overlooking the
valley of the Brandy wine, and the Del
aware river beyond. With such sur
roundings it cannot be wondered that
Mr.. Field is solicitous for the comfort
of those in his employ,
The old mansion having remained for
sometime empty he conceived the idea
of fitting it up, filing it with all the
modern improvements andConveniences
of a frst-class boarding house for a
number of his hands who were without
families and needed a home with home
comforts.
No sooner was the idea conceived
than carpenters, plasterers, plumbers
gas filters, upholsterers, painters
and furniture dealers we're put to work
and soon the sombro and gloomy gave
way to the CHEEKY effects of modern
architecture and modern comforts.
No expense was spared to make
everything complete. Rooms were
handsomely carpeted, wash and bath
rooms provided, reading rooms were
not forgotten and Il room was set apart
for a smoking room. Handsome new
furniture was provided for every bed
room, care being taken that every
thing should be of the best quality.
The ladies bed rooms occupied the sec,
ond story ana the gentlemen the third,
and between the two there is ample
and pleasant accommodations for at
least thirty boarders.
The housekeeper assigned to the care
of the establishment, has a fine room
in the second story. The ladies and
gentlemen 8 rooms on the first floor are
separated by wide hall, but both are
supplied with papers, books, writing
material and everything necessary to
make people happy that want to be
happy.
On Saturday evening Mr.. Field gave
a grand supper to all the fOremen Of
his establishment, We need ro5 nen-
ton tha' oysters, fried chicken, cake,
fruit and ice cream were component
parts of this set out, it is enough to say
that it was grand and enjoyed by all
present. MIR. Field himself occupied
the head of the table and around him
were sated the following foremen:
j. P. Dean, OVerseer of the weaving
department.
James Clark, James Wann, John
Mearns, Robert Montgomery and Lean
der Clark, section hands.
Thomas j. Hildebrand, overseer of
the spinning department and his assist
ant, John Dugan.
William A. Williams, overseer of
the carding department and his assist
ant, Charles Maser.
William 6orman, overseer of the
dyeiug department.
Raymond ByerIine, Overseer. of the
beaming department.
James Black, foreman of the finishing
department.
William P. Young, foreman of the
machine shop.
Jacob shew, foreman of the carpenter
shop.
Invited guests, Rev. T. L. Tomkin-
son, William and James Wier, Fl. G..
Downward the Bookkeeper ana the re-
presentatives of q couple Of the Will
mington newspapers.
When the supper was over Rev. T..
L. Tompkinson lod off IN speech COM
plimenting Mr.. Field for having the
forethought to make such splendid pro-
vision for his hands and complimented
the fOremen on having such kind and
cOnsiderate employer. The remarks of
Mr.. T. were vigorously applauded Mr..
Field also made few remarks show
ing the pleasure it gave him i'll making
those comfortable around him. He
had never had any disagreements with
his men and always tried to win their
respect and esteem. He appreciated
the fact that although some of his most
valuable hands had been offered much
higher wages to go to other establish
ments they rejected the offer and re-
manned with him. In referring to his
boarding house he said he was glad to
furnish such home for his workmen
where they could feel tnat they were
men and women in the full sense of the
terms and not slaves and chattels.
Mr.. Field WAS 80 full of emotionable
feeling as he talked that be could with
difficulty proceed, and loud applause
greeted his words. Other addresses
were made by Mr.. Cheyney, of the
Every Evening, Mr. Williams and Mr..
Downward. The following resolution
was unanimously adopted as the con-
pany rose to leave the t9ble:
Resolved, Tat we the foremen of
the Bran1ywine Cotton Mills of James
Riddle, Son & Company, very greatly
appreciate the philanthropic spirit that
led Mr.. William M. Field to establish
80 elegant home for his EMPLOYEES,