The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-05-23

taken the pains TO acquaint ourSelf some
in to-day's RECORD make public such facts
as may fairly be considered public pro-
perty. He is engaged in q number OF
business enterprises is a sash, door and
blind manufacturer, a lumberman, con-
tractor and builder, brick manufacturer,
merchant-and as we study our notes
we shan't be surprised if we find several
other ayocations attributed to him.
A personal item or two concerning Mr..
Arnett, which will not be out of place
here, comes to our mind. He is native
of historic Shutdown, Pa. We say .his-
toric, for the reason that, like the buried
cities of the plain, its existence now is but
Pigment of the Imagination. In its
palmy days it never aspired to greatness,
and the raging waters of the Pennsylvania
canal now sweep proudly over its ancient
site. When lad Mr. Arnett entered the
service of the merchant marine-and from
the exalted station of driver on the tow
path, could afford to smile at those urchns
who envied him his greatness. Gradu-
ating from this post of responsibility he
turned his attention to mechanical pur-
suits, and became follower of st. Crispin
Seriously, though, his uncle, Thomas
Emf, was then carrying on the shoe max
ing business here. Young Arnett became
! an apprentice, mastered the trade, and
when 1S years of age succeeded to Mr..
Ent's business. lie had to buy his kit of
tools upon credit, and this was his start
in life for himself. Mr. Arnett remained
connected with tho boot and shoe bust
ness for many years. At times he EN-
ployed Is to 20 jourleymen, and during
the early part of the late war he turned
out immense quantities of shoes on Gov
eminent contract. 1t was not unusual
for him to shoe a regiment every five days,
and in speaking of this portion Of his
business life Mr.. Arnett said THAT was
the time | worked and we'll might he
say so for he put in his own time at the
cutting bench, working an average Of
eighteen hours a day.
For some years prior to 1868 Mr.. Arnett
had also been engaged in contracting and
building upon an extensive scale. In 'G3
he became convinced that, for his own
protection, it was necessary to have mills
and lumber yards Of his own, so he built
the saw mill and sash, door ana blind fac.
tory he continues to operate. This mill
has cutting capacity of 10000 feet per
day. Both circular and muley saws are
used, the latter being more especially
used in saving ship timbers, such as white
oak, rock oak and chestnut, the market
for which is largely at Hoboken, South
Amboy, Tottenville, Staten Island, and
intermediate points between New York
and Philadelphia.
Large quantities of pine and hemlock
are annually cut, the market for which is
local. Michigan pine is also handled ex-
tensively ; the shingles chiefly come from
the South, and seantling and lath from
Canada.
Telegraph pins aud brackets constitute
another speciality. Mr.. Arnett has made
millions of them, and the mill can easily
turn out 10000 per day.
Certain branches Of furniture making
also receive careful attention. Many ex-
tension table legs are made. The chair
stuff is another important item, Pennsyl-
vania and New Jersey walnut being used
in preference to western, because the
former is tougher. Lounge feet, parlor
furniture legs and other furniture sup
plies are made in large quantities each
year, the active demand for this material
coming from Philadelphia. Other special
ties are wagon whiflietrees, neck Jokes.
&c.
Very few, even among the best informed
of our readers realize how great portion
of Lambertville has been built by Mr..
Arnett-we hardly think it an exaggera-
ton if we claim that he has erected nearly
or quite one-half of all the buildings in
{
equal readiness for frame, or brick or
stone structures-has built churches, and
schools, business blocks and private resi-
dences Last year he built fifty resi-
dences, and at this writing he is finishing
eleven more. He owns the only brick
yard here, but there is no desire expressed
fnr n mi i'm nd ba anf haA
he doesn't abuse the power this monopoly
gives hm-he is content to sell at as low
rates as if there were two or three com
petitors. OF the houses he builds some
are upon contract-others are for himself,
and these, when finished, he sells or
leases, as the case may be. BY pursuing
this policy he is enabled to retain the SER
vices of skilled mechanics year after year,
and this force of employees average rs the
year round. Each week he pays from
5000 to $500 cash as wages, but his pay
roll is considerably more, considerable
sums being represented by rents, goods
delivered, sc.
! About five years ago Mr.. Arnett en-
| gagged in the furniture trade in small
way, putting man in charge. This store
lie still continues, and on the LIST of Janu-
airy, 1881, he opened large furniture
house in the neighborhood of his mill.
Heretofore the more expensive lines of
furniture had not been carried in Lam
bertville, and that trade consequently all
left town. Now it is retained, and not
only that but Mr.. Arnett has attracted a
considerable trade from surrounding
places-he has quite large demand from
Trenton to supply. This home as well as
OUT of town trade has been attracted and
retained by reason of good goods and ex-
/ ceptionally low prices-in fact it seems to
be one of the ruling motives of Mr.. Ar
nett's trade policy, to dispose of what
ever he has to sell at prices below those
which generally rule. To all the details
/ of this complex business he gives his un.