The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-03-14
Great Business Fir ms.

To give the thousands of VIRGINIAN
readers some idea of the extent of the
business conducted by some of our Vir-
ginia men, who are operating in other
states, we take the following not ices from
the Frankfort. KY, Argus. Some of the
names mentioned are familiar to our pro-
Pile. and the success in these large under.
takings will he source of qualification to
them
Tho Mason and FOnrd Company.
The above corporation have leased the Ken
lucky penItentiary in this city for four years,
from A pri! LIST xt, with the privilege of ex-
tending the lease to eight years if they 80 de-
sire. The corporation Is com posed Of the fol-
lowing members and stoc olders, viz: Col
C. E. Hcge, H P. Mason S. D. Gouch W. F.
cambridge, s. b. Mason, John King 10. F.
Foard, VIM Morrow and VIM. Duncan.
This firm has operated the labor of the Ken
lucky peniteniiary. both inside and outside
the walls since 1885. Previous to this, the first
six named gentlemen were the lessees, this
lease beginning in 1882.
Every one of the gentlemen are first. class
husine men. and the corporation is one of
The most substani ial In The State
They have also leased the branch peniten.
tiary at K 'dyville for a term of ten. years, and
as soon as IL Is completed Will put in the
necessary machinery tor The ope Grafton of the
same. ihey are now executing contract 10
complete the work OF the prison at Eddyvilie,
hich will not be finished before the year 1898.
This contract amounts TO about 500 eco.
Tney have just completed a new brick build
ing in the Kentucky penitent!ary, which is 90
feet wide BY SD feet long. three stories high.
The contract for this building amounted to
S5a COO and il is strong and substantial build
| ms. constructed under plana made by Mr.
| Chas. J. iarke, an experienced architect OF
| Louisville.
| The lessee Will place new machinery in this
| building for the manufacture of chairs exclu
| sively. When placed in running order. they
expect to tui out .00) chairs every day, the
| output now being about 800.
| For some Time they have mar ufactured
wagons and carts. but they intend to abandon
this branch entirely, go that they may have
more room to enable them TO increase the
manufacture of ladies' shoes. the de mand Tor
which is increasing daily. They manufacture
different grades, of the latest and best pattern
| the daily output at present being 500 pairs.
They expect TO double the capacity of this de-
| partment with the increased machinery that
| will be placed in the prison within the next
| ten days,
+, The manufacture OF brooms Will be con.
| tinued. and the capacity Of the factory will be
doubled.
| Every class of work in operation within the
| walls Is light and beneficial to the convicts
| and Is not Injurious to their health.
| Under the Law the convicts at work outside
| the walls will be pla ced inside as soon the
branch pententiary at Eddyville Is com leted
| 7 ,fn in no III
| manufacturing establishments inside the walls
| Of the prison to employ the labor confined
therein. and place them In a condition to be
| self sustaining &c The lessees.
The officers Of the Mason & Foard Company
are as follows, VIZ: O. E. Hoge, President 10
L. Foald, Vice. President; II. P. Mason. Gen.
eral Manager. and G. T. Blackley. Secretary.
They are prompt In fulfilling every contract
| entered into, ana polite and aceommo.
| dating to every Ole with whom they come In
| contact, either socially or in business matter
They are men of Integrity, who do business on
| business principles
These gentlemen nave never had any issue
| with the State. They have paid their rental
promptly as their contract provided although
they have been deprived of the use of one a
the main buildings In the prison since 1t was
destroyed by fire in ssT. 1t was very lucky
day for the state when this corporation leased
| the prisoi They have done mora than any
other firm corporation to develop the re-
sources of Kentucky.
| They have invested their money in every
| enterprise that tended 10 the development OF
| mines, railroads AID other public improve
| Elents throughout the state. They have en-
| tireiy changed the whole pententiary system
| in Kentucky. They have driven opt he man
ufactpra OF heap. whtah was certain death ia
all who worked IN this department, and IN lis
stea have been placed establishments for the
| manufacture of shoes. hrooms and chairs, the
| labor in which is healthful TO the convict.
The institution is clean throughout. and an
air of purity surrounds the whole atmosphere.
The men are not overwo, ked, and they seem
satisfied with the labor they are required to
| perform.
They purchase all tine timber required In
| their business from our people, for which they
pay the highest market price.
Col. Hoge and Capt. Mason have purchased
farms in our connSy. and have made their
homes with Us. They have also purchased city
property and improved 1t. They are among
our best and most enterprising citlzsns, and
have added much to the prosperity and adj
| yaEcement of our city, county and state.