The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-04-03
[For the VIRGINIAN.l
A P4nnsylyania Manufacturing Town

WAYNESBORO, FRANKLIN Co., PA.
March "a, 1854.
Some time having elapsed since l de-
voted any Of my leisure time to the prep
aration of an article for the columns of
your worthy paper, l have concluded to
ask space enough to briefly describe this
thriving mountain town and it's industries
to your numerous readers. This is no
mushroom of a town that has, like many
others in this country, sprung into exis-
tence since the war, but dates its estat-
lishment far back in the latter part of the
last century. 1t was first Incorporated as
town somewhere about 1919 and it's name
changed from Waynesburg to Waynesbo-
rough. Situated under the shadow of the
Blue Ridge, in the lovely and fertile Cum
berland Valley, its renown as a manufac-
turing town has spread throughout the
whole of this country and also to many
foreign States. Its citizens are composed
of some of the most solid business men of
this Valley. The houses are all we'll and
substantially built, with all the conve-
niences of the prOverbial Northern home
The population at present is between
5000 and 4, 900. 1t is surrounded by fine
and productive agricultural district. from
which It's market is supplied with all the
substantial necessaries of life. Its church
and school facilities are above the average
and are both well attended. The fact,
however, of this place being the home of
three extensive manufactures is what has
given it a reputation. Tricks Steam En-
CINE and Boiler Works, the Geiser Manu-
featuring Company, and the American
Manufacturing Company, are located here
and occupy extensive shops. The largest
and most extensive of these three compa
MES is the Frick u Cos. works, a brief de-
ScriptiOn of which will not be uninterest-
ing, as showing the humble origin and
rapid growth OF this extensive company.
In a small country shop within four or five
miles OF this place, in the yea. 1913. Mr.
George Flick, who is now the General
Superintendent or the present works. car
ried on the business of building threshjng
machines and other agricultural imple-
ments. Some two or three years afterwards
he constructed his first steam engine of
about fOur-horse power for his own use
and after his own design. Shortly after
this his country shop was found too small
to accommodate the increasing trade and
removal to this town was made. With
the removal the business increased until
finally demand for increased capital re-
qulred the organization of the present
company and the occupation of the pres
ent extensive shops. AS the origin of the
business and the foundation of the present
company are largely indebted tothe energy,
BUSINESS capacity, mechanical skill and
FERTILE genius of Mr.. Frick, SO is
the present success of the company
IN great measure due to his constant
presence and supervision. Associated
with MI. +. as assistants, are gentle
men OF capacity and experience, each Of
| whom has his particular branch to super
wise. Although Mr.. +. is advanced in
years, his ideas and progressive spirit are
In the ascendant. The buildings of these
works, consisting of machine shop, foun-
dry. boiler shop, blacksmith shop, wood
work shop. paint shop, pattern shop, test
ing shop, store room, together with the Of
| flee building, reservoir, force-pump house.
stables and large sheds cover probably
ABOUT slxacres or more At this time there
arg between 500 and 700 hands employed by
| this company in all the departments
concluded on Fourth Page.