Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-02-14
The First Cotton Mil


first one in this country in Massachusetts,
in the wear 1871 by an Englishman named
Slater. As early as 1907 Pittsburgh, or
rather what is now Allegheny, became the
seat of cotton mill. Thus it will appear
that within twenty-five years after the
manufacture Of cotton goods was introduced
in England, this city, then almost on the
American frontier, was engaged in that
business. The favorable location OF the
spot and its easy means OF communication
with the cotton growing districts, was
doubtless the cause OF the establishment OF
a mill here at that early date The ma
chinery used in the establishment OF this
concern was the old carding machine and
the spinning jenny, and the annual value
of the product was 81 900. In 1910 the value
of the goods produced was $1,000, and in
1917 there were two mills employing thirty
six hands and producing goods to the value
of $25,57S. From this time the business
Grew Rapidly,
and in 1896 there were six factories in OPP
Grafton, employing almost thousand
hands operating u 800 spindles, and put
ting out goods valued at $4,000. This was
the greatest number Of mills ever in opera
ton at one time in Pittsburg, or rather
Allegheny, for all of these were located in
Allegheny City, and speak OF them as be-
longing to Pittsburg because the two cities
are identical in their interests. The ca
pacities of these mills were enlarged, how
ever, until not long ago 5000 spindles
were in operation and goods were produced
annually in excess of $l,25O,00O. Having
Reached this Importance,
the industry halted and soon began to de.
cline. In 1867 or one OF the largest mills,
operating over Il, 900 spindles was burned
and the proprietors did not consider the
business profitable enough to rebuild. In
1870, Taylor & Co., went out OF business,
not finding il profitable enough to con.
tinue, and the Western mills were closed
down. In 1878 Birmingham, Watson & Co:
concluded the business no longer paid and
the they quit; selling the old Anchor
mills buildings to the Westinghouse Air
Brake Company, by whom they are now
occupied. There are now in operation
three mill; the Eagle mills operating 49,.
600 spindles; the Hope mills, operating TO-.
600 spindles, and the Franklin mills, oper.
ating 1000. The value of the total annual
product of the three mills 10 about $500,
boo, and their principal article Of manu-
facture are brown sheetings, carpet warp,
cotton yarns and seamless bags.
The Present Status.
I am indebted for the figures thus given
to President Harper, OF the Eagle MUS,
who is a gentleman thoroughly posted on
all the details of his business. ! inquired
of him the present status OF the cotton
industry, and why its manufacture was
declining here and in other northern cit.
les. The substance Of this conversation !
give:
1T is owing" said he, Ito the awaking
OF the South. She finds that she can man
ufacture certain classes OF cotton goods
lust as we'll as they can be made in the
North, and at a greatly reduced cost,
Having the raw material right at her door,
She saves the immense freight bills the
northern manufacturer must pay on ac'
count of the bulk of the raw cotton
Again, labor is much cheaper in the South
costing from one-fourth to one-third less
than must be paid here. Another advan'
tage is the large privileges offered to man
ufacturers there. In dozens OF places IN
the State of Georgia any one who will
start q cotton mill can obtain iirstclass
locations
Free Of Charge,
and the State releases him from all taxa
tian for ten years These advantages have
attracted many northern capitalists to
the South. Few new mills are now built
in the North, and their machinery move
TO new establishments in the South. There
are certain lines OF goods, however, which
can never be made in the South, and that
! for,natural reasons. Atmospheric conditions
enter very largely into the manufacture OF
cotton. and few phases are adopted TO the
making of the finer textures. The moist
atmosphere of England is peculiarly
adopted to the successful manufacture ol
the finest goods. United states maker,
not being able to produce artificially, what
nature has furnished their English cousins
has never been able 10 compete with them
| in the production OF the very finest fash
ions. The North and particularly New
England have the same advantage, 20
certain degree over the South that Eng
land has over America, and on account o.
the dryness Of their climate,
Southern Manufacturer
must confine themselves to the coarsel
| class of goods. One reason OF the decline
of the industry in this vicinity 1t the wan
of home patronage. Pittsburg merchanp
seeming to have no inclination to purchase
| from home manufacturers. They go Eas'
| TO purchase while the superiority OF Ger
| tail, lines of goods made here is shown bI
| the fact that cotton yarn OF the Eagle Mill;
make is always quoted at from two to hv'
| cents per pound above any other. Most O
the goods made here are shipped to thu
| West, Chicago and ST. Louis taking large
quantities: ..
| in the United States is not what it should be
There are many lines of goods in which
English makers should be driven out OF tn
market. The late
Cotton Expesitsen
at Atlanta drew the attention OF the coun
| try to this industry as it never had beer
before, and the impetus given 1t eugh
| soon to result in more favorable showing
1 From the January number ot the JouIna
| devoted 10 the Interests OF the cotton trade
the following figures are taken, shoWinl
| the annual production, the amount ex
! ported, and the home consumption OF cot
ton at different periods and for each yea
| since 1875; the year ending September Isl
| g2