Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-01-25

fully said of all the rest, with few
exceptions. "The Meadow then, is
a beautiful large brick structure,
four stories high, with every modern
convenience for safety in case of
fire or accident, four large rooms are
filed with the most improved ma
chinery, every piece of which is kept
in rapid motion by powerful engine,
that seemingly runs as smooth and
easy as your own monster, under the
skillful and experienced hand of
your faithful engineer Mr.. Jacob
Shaffer, at the water works. The
busy hands of three or four hundred
operators keep time with the rapid
click of their frames, which to one
unaccustomed to it, makes pleasant
and interesting sight indeed. In
age, these operators range from four
teen to twenty-five, (seldom over,)
two thirds are young ladies. and the
remainder are boys and young men.
Their wages run from twelve to
twenty-five dollars, and few, skilled
in very fine work, make as high as
| fifty dollars per month, so you can
form an idea, of the benefit that is
derived from this one mill alone.
Every thirty days, these thousands
of dollars are first placed in the
hands of the operators, and from
there it is scattered broad cast, the
groceryman, the butcher, the physi-
clan, all are benefited, and every
one happy. Great care is taken in
the employment of these hands, they
must come well recommended, and
| no young lady will get place, unless
she bears good name, and is entire
ly respectable, as far as can be ascer-
tanned This mill is under the gen.
eral supervision of Mr.. Alcaeus
Hooper, the junior partner of the
firm of Messrs. VIM. E. Hooper &
Sons, and who own, and operate five
out of the seven mills mentioned
above. This gentleman takes the great
est care to foster, and increase the
good morals of all his employees, es-
pecially the younger ones. He sub
scribes literally for such periodicals
as "Our Youth, ""The Youths Com
panion,' ETC., and these he hands,
free, every week, to the youth of
both sexes who work in this particu-
lar mill. In addition to this liberal
feature, once every year. (on Christ
mas eve) he secures tons of the finest
dressed turkeys he can get, and one
goes to each family, for their feast
on Christmas day. The working
hours, are from half past six a. m,
to half past five p. m, thus leaving
margin of two or three hours for
the evening exercise and regulation.
A thoroughly equipped gymnasium
is furnished free with Bowling alley
connected, which adds greatly to the
health and pleasure of the employees.
There is also fine base ball ground,
in which healthful and exciting game
the male employees take great inter-
est and pleasure. Mr.. Hayward Nc
Canly has the local management of
the details Of this whole building,
a glance through it in the morning,
detects the least irregularity, and
with keen perceptions, under his in
structions, everything settles down
to perfect running order, so thorough
is his system, and so rigidly is it
carried out, that not a break occurs,
and every body is cheerful and hap
Ply. / had the extreme pleasure
of meeting your townsman Mr.. Geo.
D. Lambert and his beautiful and
accomplished bride while on their
wedding tour. After congratula-
tions and procuring the proper Gre
dentials, l took them through this
mill, and showed them the modus
operandi of converting the crude
cotton into finished work, and after
a pleasant drive through the beauti.
full "Druid Hill Park" babe them
adieu, as they went speeding happily,
away on their journey. And now,
realizing that have already taken
up more of your valuable space than
/ had expected, / will close. | have
given you a hasty and imperfect
sketch of these mills, as they actually
are, and as | see them, and think
they are good thing to have around,
and would like to see one, or more,
spring up along the banks of the
Tuscarora in Martinsburg. Dear
old Martinsburg, love thy name, l
love thy people, may peace and
plenty fill thy borders. X.
HEDGEsvILLE.