The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-20

YESTERDAYS OBSERVATIONS Oh
OUR MAN-ABOUT-TOWN.

Demonstrated by the Haxall and Gal
lego Miils-Ericf History of Both OF
These Ancient Landmarks of the City.
Some of these bright days. in the
future, some enterprising chronicles OF
events will tackle the very subject
with which the TINES is now wrest-
ling. and will grapple facts now new,
but then grow old. as basis OF com
ment upon the growth and prosperity
of cities. Richmond will afford a field
much too inviting ~ be overlooked.
There will be too many rich blossoms,
attracting the eyes Of those who want
10 pluck rare beauties, to warrant the
least idea of her being overlooked.
The vicissitudes through which the city
has passed. the recollections that are
inseparable from its history. and the
acutely interesting nature of them, the
slow and steady struggle for com mer-
cial. manufacturing and mercantile
prosperity will catch the ready pen OF
future writers. and perpetuate this very
era of general advance in matters OF
trade. which TO many unthinking minds,
is hardly thought OF now. The rushing,
rapid torrent Of trade. serves but poor
ly TO give time for quiet. comparative
reflection, ave at odd and Eighty in
tervalA Even then, is there is brain
hurst of business light, that drives
darkness from the outlook, where strain
ing eyes are constantly peering. 1t is
hidden from public gaze until the ulti
nate gains of personal sort are fully
realized. and the winning man, resting
on his laurels. can afford TO recall and
recount the methods by which his lap
became filled with shining shekels ana
glIttering gold. One of the fields that
will cause comment is that afforded by
our extensive milling manufactures.
The name of Haxall has been closely
identified with grain trade and in the
annals of milling for more than half
century.
The family is Of English origin.
coming from Exning, near Newmarket.
Eng. Phillip Haxall came from Eng
land in 1876. and located IN Petersburg
where he became identified with the
milling business. He was one of the
pioneers in the milling industry. and in
1902. when the Ross mil. which then
stood on the site of the present Haxall-
Crenshaw Company's mill. was sold.
Phillip Haxall purchased it, with the
assistance of his brother William.
Phillip took his residence in Richmond.
and the mill-then a small establish
ment-was considerably enlarged, and
was known as Columbian Mills
Richard Barton Haxall, in 1874, en-
tered into active co-partnershlp with
his father. Phillip, the style of the
firm being L. Haxall & Co. In 1880
the mills were accidentally destroyed
by fire. Mr. X. b. Haxall took an &C
tive interest in their re-ercction. which
task was completed in year. In 1881,
IN the latter part of the year. MIR.
Phillip Haxall died. and Il. b. Haxall
succeeded him as managing partner.
In 1884 many engagements and i'm
provements to the plant were made.
both in machinery and buildings. and
the Haxal brand of -four became thor
oughly established.
In 1858. we come to the period when
the Haxall-Crenshaw Company became
established The Crenshaw family for
wears had been closely identified with
Richmond IS interests. and Mr. Lewis ID.
Crenshaw, a man of progressive ideas
and ample means, entered into co
partnership with Mr.. Il. Is. Haxall.
forming the company above named.
Upon the death of Mr. Lewis ID. Cren-
shaw, ST., the Haxall -CTenshaw Com
pany was Incorporated. commencing
July 1. 1876. with II. b. Haxall as pres
ident, his son, Philip Haxall, vice-pres-
ident, and Lewis ID. Crenshaw. Jr., sec
rotary and treasurer. Mr.. X. b. Haxall
died November 80. 1881.
In 1874 fire again destroyed the mills,
but they were quickly rebuilt. twenty |
run Of stones being in operation within
six months after the fire. There was
some change made i'm the plan of the
new building. but its ample proper
tions still remain. \ portion OF the |
ruins of the old site yet remain.
The company owns moro real estate
than any milling company in the Union,
its area covering seven acres of land.
The main building Is eight stories above
ground The mills have thirty-two run
of stones for wheat. In 1881 One-fourth |
of these were changed to the Roller |
buhr system. There are eight run Of
stones used for the manufacture Of
corn meal. The mills are capable OF
turning out one thousand five hundred |
barrels of flour per day. and grind |
night and day the week around.
One hundred and twenty five hands !
are daily employed, not including the
hauling done outside. and the weekly |
ray-roll amounts to $3.50. The com
pany is most admirable located for
shipping and receiving freights. 1t |
owns line of railroad which connects
with the Richmond and Danville Rail
roa.,, thereby placing them in direct
connection with all the railroads enter
ing the city. Grain is brought IN bulk
TO the very door. and carried up into
the mills by elevators, worked by water
power. When the flou; is ready for
Shipment. the cars come to the door and
the barrels are placed in them with
dispatch and small cost. The great
utilization of machinery is one reason
why the force of operatives IN the es-
tabishment is so small. The mills store
with ease twenty thousand barrels of
-four. a great deal of this finds II way
TO South American markets, and much
is sold here, and IN States South and
West.
In speaking of Richmond as ship
ping pOlnl the lnduuiaCtultiS epOhc W
encouraging terms. and only had rea-
son to complain Of freight discrmina-
tons against Richmond by railroads
from points North and West. Recent
changes. however, have lowered these
Determinations somewhat, and Rich
mond Will ultimately get what her geo
graphical position demands a nd should
justly command.
Following up the line of thought sug- ,
gested by talking about prominent ,
mills in this country, tbs mind instinc-
lively turns to the oldest one of great
importance in the Union, and that one ,
is the Gallego Mills. {
These mills can almost look back over
a complete century since their estab- /,
lishment, having been first built by =
f.r...i. fsa1l.,, a., los in the laxs Of d..