The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1890-03-27
THE DUKE OF DURHAM.
a TALK WITH TIKI: GREAT
TOBACCO HOUSE FOUNDER.
what the American Tobacco Co.
Means-Its Object ana Probable
Effect -AsheVilie's Future an a
Tobacco Market.

| Erect eCt-ASheHilte'S Future aH q
| Tobacco Market.
Mr.. W. Duke, the great Durham to.
bacco king, has been visiting in this city
for several days, and stopped at DR.
| Wcaver's on North Main street He
came on pleasure trip, and this is the
first visit to Ashcvillc since 1854. lie
says he was greatly surprised at the re-
markable growth of the place since he
was last here, Notwithstanding the
statements he has heard concerning its
improvement. MIR. Duke was seen yes
tcrday and asked about the American
Tobacco Company which has bought
out the leading cigarette manufactures
Of the United States, including his houses
at Durham and New York.
This company" he said, with my
son, James B. Duke, as president. has
purchased the business OF Allen and Gin
ter, Richmond, Va; the Kinney Tobacco
Company, New York; Vim. $. kimball
& Co., Rochester; Goodwin & Co., New
York, and ". Duke, Sons a. Co., of Dur
ham, together with all their real estate.
buildings, material machinery. patents
and trade marks. These establishments
will be continued as branch factories oi
the American Tobacco Company, manu-
featuring their respective individual
brands, under the personal management
and direction of the former principals
and owners. My youngest son, James
B. Duke, who is president, is but 30
years old"
"Will this affect the price oi cigar
cttes," he was asked.
"No," answered Mr.. Duke, "thr price
and quality will remain the same as
before"
"Will it hurt the farmers any by dcprc.
ciating the price OF their tobacco"
"No. we will pay the same as before.
Some farmers down near Durham were
opposed to il at first, hut that was be-
cause the Spectators there had been
talking to them, and they are now very
well pleased with the arrangement. We
have been paying several cents a pound
more for tobacco this year than ever be-
fore"
SIS the present arrangement i'll the ma.
lure of a trust :"
"No, it will he nothing OF the kind, and
there need he no uncasiness on that sub
jcct."
Mr.. Duke has been engaged in the to-
bacco business for twenty-five years,
having commenced in 1865, when -
years old. lie was lett poor by the war
and began ON an available cash capital
Of fifty cents. Starting ut the bottom OF
the ladder, with remarkable amour, oi
energy and business tact, he has grad
ually climbed until he now counts his
money bv the millions.
Zone thing" he said while talking.
chat want To impress on your mind is
that never went in debt in my lite.
was satisfied To wait until could com.
mand the money, and never had Il mcr.
chants bill presented to me that was
not able to pay Immediately. | think
contracting debts when not absolutely
necessary is great evil to our country"
Mr.. Duke believes Ashcvillc has great
future as n tobacco market. and he is
well pleased with the increase OF the in
lustry among the farmers in the sur.
rounding part OF the country,
The two houses of ". Duke Sons X
Co., have purchased on this market 500
hogshcads Of cigarette tobacco this sea.
son.
Mr.. Duke left to-day for his old home
in Durham.