The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-02-07
"A SALEM ENTERPRISE.
The Times Correspondent Visits
the Flynn Wagon Works.

Among the industries of progressive
Salem, there are none to which the
Salemite points with greater interest
than the Flynn Wagon Works, and the
Salem real estate man as he, drives his
customers aroung the city, always makes
a break for the mammoth establishment
just below the Norfolk and Western
depot in the southern part of the city
and allades to 1t w ono Of the most sue
cessful industries Of the city.
4 representative Of Tp--. TIMES VS.
5ted the establishment yesterday, where
he found Psesiaent w. B. Bowles busily
engaged Among his papers in the office
Of tho eSta blishmcnt,
Superintendent Il. ID. Flynn was
fund dir, citing the operations of the
factory, and courteously showed the re-
porter through the building. Mr.. Flynn
has over forty men employed in the
works at present, but says that he is
adding to the force daily and if the
business continues to increase as it has
since the first Of tho year, the en-
plOyes will reach 100.
An atmosphere of industry pervades
tho establishment. In the blacksmith
department there are the glowing pyro-
technic displays Of ascending showers
of sparks, while the music of an anvil
orchestra falls upon tho ear. In the
second story the air is filed with flying
sawdust, and the sound of the buzl-saws
almost inclines one to the belief that
somebody is tickling giant June bug.
In still other departments are the paint
shops and the large repository for carts,
wagons and the like.
The engine and tho various and
numerous machines are of the newest
and most improved order.
The lumber yards present scene
interesting to any who admire the
beauties of Virginias forests. Hickory.
white oak, yellow locust. poplar and
other hard woods, cut in tho surround
requisite ago to go through the dry
kiln and then into the makeup of Jne
now celebrated "Flynn Wagon
The manufactures turned out ar" two
horse farm wagons, city drays, delivery
wagons and rail dump-carts.
A leading f'ature of the business is
the manufacture of locust hubs and
these are to he seen in great quantity
in all stages of making.
Mr.. Flynn said when ash d how long
he had been engaged in wagon build
ing:
"My father was a wagon builder and
was Graded in the business. learned
the trade at Marshall, Fauquier county.
Va, my native place, but first did bust
ness on my own account at Danville,
Va. This was in 1875, and, being a
stranger there, with no money, had a
s hard struggle.
s ''.However, continued in the work
+ and soon got plenty to do, and my bust
ness grew to considerable proportions.
When in April, 1890, heard so much
about Salem's greatness, came here
on lookout and informed myself con-
corning the quality and quality of the
hard woods, the cost of coal and other
matters. | made second trip at the
Invitation Of Capt CIR Strouse, who
introduced me to Mrs. j. w. +. Allie
mong, that wheel horse of Salem COM
mercial activity, who interested him
self in my behalf. and what you now see
in the Flynn Wagon Manufacturing
Company is the result of his efforts. to-
gether with TIE assistance of some other
of Salem's business men"
The capitol stock of the Flynn Wagon
Manufacturing Company is 500, 900
The officers are w. b. Bowlcs. prcsi-
dent and treasurer; T.. f. Straycr,
secretary and R. d. Mynn, superintcn-
The directors are J. w. f. Allcmonr.
Mayor w. f. Younger, Professor j. r..
Crabtree, Colonel a. Nj. Bowman, +. S.
Strayer and Il. ID. Flynn.