The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-05-16

Wesson, Miss, and founded by Col. J.
NJ. Wesson, about the close of the late
war, from whom the town derived its
name. In 1878 the factory was destroyed
by FIRE, but early in 1874 it had been re-
built and put in operation, under a new
organization, which obtained from the
State charter, with i. Richardson as
President, and VIM. Oliver, Secretary
and Treasurer. Col. Richardson, in the
meantime, purchased the interest of
SIr. Hardie as we'll as several other
stockholders. During the early portion
Of 1876, Mil No. 2 was erected and put
in operation, and from that time the
town commenced steadily to increase in
population. Hundreds of houses were
erected by the Mills and parties moving
thereto. During all these years, from
1871 to the present, the subject of this
sketch has been continuously in charge
Of these Mills, experimenting the cree
tion and purchase Of machinery, as well
as all the varied and numerous supplies
required in so large an establishment.
In this he has been ably seconded by the
ample means and unlimited confidence
reposed in him by the President, Col.
Richardson, through whose joint efforts
an unparalleled success has been aehiey-
ed.
| In the reorganization Of the Mills
the managers determined upon policy
which they have adhered to strictlytc tc
make what they did make, good, and out
Of the best and purest materials, feel
ing that they were here to stay, and
could not afford to palm off upon the la
boring community an article which did
not fully come up TO its representations
The result of this honest and far-sighteC
policy is seen to-day in the demand fol
their goods from the Atlantic to the Pa
cifc oceans. While other manufactur
ing enterprises have accumulated stock,
for want of regular sales, forcing then
at times upon already glutted market
at heavy sacrifice, these mills have beer
steadily, regularly, and daily drained o
their products to such an extent, tina
they have been forced, in self-defence
to double their wooden, and largely in
crease ther cotton machinery during tn
present spring. We have not the spac
to enter minutely into the details of thei
productions such as jeans, cassimeres
cottonades, sheetings, ginghams, plaids
checks, towelling, penltentiary and avn
ing duck, osnaburgs, cotton and woo
knitting yarns, sewing thread, drilling
? and tickings; to fully explain which
with their respective merits, would re
quire every column of our space.
Passing under the rod Of family atfliC
ton and death, with an abiding faitl
and confidence in an Allwise Providence
Capt. Oliver was spared, and called t
: enter another field of action in conjunC
| ton with his duties as manager of thi
/ immense institution, a pride to our State
: and lasting honor to those in charg
+ thereof.
, On the 22d Of last month, death, desc
l lation and destruction followed the pat
: of a terrible cyclone which swept throug
4 the rear portion Of the town of Wessor
| destroying twenty five houses occupie
: by the operatives Of the Mill, KILN
e fifteen and wounding about one hundre
i, and fifty poor people, who were depend
: ent upon the Mills for support. AT ono
e the Society of the Red Cross was organ
|. lied at Wesson, for the county of Ct
t piah and neighboring territory, wit
:. Capt. Oliver as its President, who (
!, once inaugurated a thorough system
r which by the aid and assistance {
# noble men and women North and Soutl
h has contributed to place these poor pc
n pie beyond want, and placed them
ie comparatively easy circumstances. Fo
tunately the storm-cloud left the fact
Ie ry buildings untouched. Had it passC
r few hundred yards further east, wi
G. could tell the destruction Of propert
l. or portray the suffering Of hundre'
le who would have been thrown out OF er
70 ployment by the disaster?
IA In closing this sketch Of the life al
career Of one Of our citizens, it is wit
r pride we point the young and ambition
r. TO his record, and say to them, Il
I. same road to afluence, prominence al
L. honor il open to each and every one
js. them, as was open to VIM. Oliver, whit
y, but boy he was not ashamed to col
le mence to learn the principles Of bui
he ness, upon q salary Of five dollars
!" month and board. But to successful
at reach the position he has gained, tn