The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-01-30
HARViNS' MILLS.
A Sketch Of Large and Prosperous Bus
inesS Enterprise in Manning.

A Sketch of a Large and Prosperous Bus
mess Enterprise in Manning.
In the year 1877, baving some experience
in the mill business, Mr. w. Sc. tt Harvin
came to Manning, and began putting up a
grist mill and gin, which he intended
to operate on a small scale, but before the
work OF building had been completed the
entire business was consumed by the torch
of an incendiary, whose crime yet remains
unpunished Mr. Harvin then went to For
eston, much reduced financially, but with
hope, energy, and determination that has
stood the crucial test, he, there, in partner
ship with his brother, Mr. Charles f. Har-
win, conducted lumber business until the
spring of 1879, at which time the firm remuv-
ed to Manning. Here the partnership was
continued until the fall of that year, when
Mr. Charles r. Harvin withdrew, sold his
interest in the business to his partner, and
became . Stockholder in the Eorestor and
Manning Tram Road Co.
Since the Year 1879 Mr. ". Scott Rarvin
has continued in the mill business at Man
ming, and has been alone. Besides his grist
mill ne has also run his saw mill most of
the time, and for several years did a small
business in lumber, supplying only q part
OF the local demand. About the year 1883 he
moved the lumber mill across Ok Swamp,
about two miles from town, and sold it to
his brother. MIR. G. Z. Harvin, who ran the
business several years at that point, but un-
der most disadvantageous circumstances. In
fact the hand of mlSfortune seemed upon
him. for during these two or three years he
was twice burnt out, losing almost everything
les n 10 hU how
ing cent insurance. Notwithstanding all
these backsets and business calamities, Mr.
c. r. Harvin is of that peculiar tempera-
ment tha: he became not at all discouraged; :;
in fact the way he bore himself in these
hours of financial trial seemed to inspire
onidence in those with whom he did bust
ness; and it was but short time before he
commenced work in the same line, but on
a considerably enlarged basis, about i've
miles above town. Here he continued until
few weeks ago, when the present new firm
was entered into. During The past few years
he did q large business, tramming the lumber
from his mill across Black River to the
Central Railroad at Dudleys.
When Slr. W. Scott Harrin sold his mill
over Ok Swamp, he increased the capacity
of his gins, bought a planer, and added
other important machinery to his business
in town. Since that time, and from year to
year, the gins have been materially i'm
proved, and is now, it is believed, consid-
ering capacity and quality of work done,
second to none in the State. For several
years past he has run three gins, and with
the present facilities, thirty bales is an Or
dinary days ginning, and during the past
season an average OF twenty-nine bales vas
made for three weeks in succession.
In the year 1884, when our town was laid
waste by fire, Mr. ". Scott Harvln was one
of the first to see the need of the hour, and
ordered brick machine with which he
made brick to supply the demands of our
merchants. Nor was it done IL spirit OF
personal aggrandizement, for the brick We're
sold at most reasonable prices, and all Of
our l. Teschants who rebuilt used them AIr
Harvin now has on hand probably 800, coo
brick that be is still selling at about 25 per
cent less than the usual price. This is only
one of many things he has done that have
gained him popularity, and to-day he is re-
garded as one of the most public spirited
young men of our town.
During the past seven years Cir. W. Scott
Harvin has also acted as local
salesman for machinery manufacturers, and
has handled large quantity Of all kinds
of machinery. TIE first year his sales
were small, but they have gradually and
steadily increased, and without any special
efforts on his part, except to do what he OBJ
igates to do, and to ask and expect the same
from those with whom he deals. Such q
course is popular with business men, and
it has proven so in this instance. Mr.. Har-
wins sales though only q few hundred dol
lars the first year, now average from I've to
ten thousand year. In tue whole time,
and with this extensive run Of business, he
has never failed to collect anything IN this
line, except one small bill of about three
hundred dollars. This IS something re-
markable, and is evidence of extraordinary
business tact and judgment.
The foregoing is but brief end hurried
sketch Of the business career, during the
past few years, of the two members of the
new firm that is now operating the large
lumber business in Manning.
They are running two large mills with
daily capacity of about twenty thousand feet
of lumber. Their tram road is already
completed about three miles into one OF the
finest timbered sections in the county, and
is being rapidly built. The whistle of the
tram engine as it comes in with timber adds
new life to our town. The section of coun-
try entered will afford timber to run the mills
at this point for about SIX years at their pres
ent capacity.
Some delay in starting was caused by not
getting some parts Of the machinery that
were to have been sent in earlier, but the
business is now running, and in a day or so
more, it will be worth the while Of the curl
Gus to 60 down and see what Harvin l. Bro.
are doing.