Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-06-16
southern cIaYs.


The following editorial is taken
from the Manyyacturer's Record of
june 6, and should appeal to those
interested in building up a manufac-
turing centre. The average new town
has started in with a blast furnace
employing an army Of unskilled and
cheap labor, earning enough wages
only to pay for the bare necessities
of life. It's strange fact that the
iron industry to be profitable requires
the greatest skill in It's management,
and the consequent returns are
smaller in comparison to the amount
of capital employed. The Record
says:
The South abounds in clays suit
able for potters. Prior to the enact
ment of the Morrill, tariff in 1861
nine-tenths of all the crockery used
in this country was brought from
Europe. Since then the production
has increased, until now nearly one
half of all the wares used in the
United States are made here, and,
through the competition growing out
of the development of this industry,
the cost of all kinds of plain and
decorated earthen and china ware
has been reduced fully so per cent,
as compared with the prices of 1860.
But this development has not yet
caught up with consumption, and
consequently we still import little
more than one half of all the crock
cry ware we consume. Such being
the case the south has in her vast
stores of fine cIays, the foundation
upon which to create a large and
prosperous industry.
The same intelligent and patient
enterprise that has developed the
iron industry of the South from a
merely nominal position into great
potentiality, if applied TO the produc-
ton of pottery wares, would give her
eventually the leadership in this
branch of manufacture. With more
than one-half of this country's supply
coming from Europe, with the mar
kets of the Southern American
nations open to our products, there
are abundant inducements offered to
the South to utilize her clays by
engaging in this great and hospitable
industry"
The largest beds of clay in close
proximity to this section are those Of
North Carolina. One of these, be.
longing to the Carolina Clay Com.
pany. is over 400 feet in width, and
though it has been prospected lie
feet deep there are no signs of i
giving out. This clay is shipped all
the way to East Liverpool, Ohio, and
Trenton, N. j., upward of 600 miles.
1t is proposed to establish pottery
in Charles Town to- utilize the clay
from an adjoining deposit, or rather
continuation of the same. If this
industry can be secured it will give
our town big push, for it will en-
ploy from $50 to 200 hands, all OF
them very desirable. The decorat-
ing department will furnish lucra-
tive and delightful employment fol
girls with artistic tastes. 1t may be
asked why this industry should not
be located nearer the raw material,
but the promoters tell US that they
have to be located where they can be
accessible to the various materials
needed, and also distribute the man
ufactured product to an advantage.
They have secured the services of a
gentleman skilled in the mysteries OF
making tea-cups, etc., and we hope
soon to enjoy our cup;of tea brewed
in Charles Town teapot and drink
it out of a Charles Town tea-cup.
Wanted Old-time mahogany fur