The state herald., 1892-01-22
COLORADO INDUSTRIES.
A SKETCH OF THREE IMPORTANT
MANUFACTURES.

Spinning and Weaving Texas Cotton
Tho Denver Paper Mills, Using
Spruce Wood from the Canon of
the Platte-hiitchcock Knitting Mills
Will Make Blankets from Colo
RADIO Wool.
DENVER, Colo, Jan. Is. 1892.
Colorado has reached stage In its
growth that presents new and serious
problems for pollution by its people.
Building railroads and booming town
lots are occupations that mny bring
money into a country, yet at the best
they can but provide the scatfolding
for a permanent structure OF prosperi-
ty, that can only be realized through
n diversity OF productive industries.
1t is time toconsider carefully the ways
and means by which combined labor
and capital may take advantage OF
natural opportunities to pour forth n
stream VI wealth from which all may
be fed. This fact is generally recog-
nized, and the cry goes out for ''moro
manufactures"
But 1t Is far easier to clamor for
mills and factories than to establish
them. To manufacture any article
successfully requires special training
and experience in that line ofbusiness.
1t also required the confidence that is
the result OF experience, aud is, there
fore, "plant OF slow growth"
Ihave neither time, ability nor incli-
nation to show what may be done In
the way Of manufacturing in Colorado.
Example Is more potent than precept,
and the knowledge OF what has been
done and Is now being done cannot
fail to stimulate enterprise and awaken
interest In similar undertakings. With
this purpose In view. / propose, with
the indulgence Of the editor and read
er, to present n brief review OF some
OF the more prominent manufacturing
institutions OF Colorado, beginning
with those OF Denver.
Entering Denver from The south
over the Denver a. Rio Grande, Atchi-
son, Topeka IL Santa Fc, Chicago e.
Rock Island or Denver, Texas g. Fort
Worth railways, the traveller, II he is
on the alert, sees two long. many win
dowed brick buildings. noticeable for
their immense size and tall chimneys.
They are outside Of the city limits in the
suburbs know us Overland and Man
chester, Oh the South Park branch of
the Union Pacific railway. These
buildings are the Overland Cotton
Mills and the Denver Paper Mills, sit
uated nearly mile apart. Near tho
cotton mills are the Hitchcock Knitting
Mills. aud near the paper mills is the
Denver Match Factory.
OVERLAND COTTON MILLS.
When 1t was first made known that
extensive cotton mills would be erect
ed Mt Denver, the announcement was
received In many quarters with decid-
cd incredulity, and the matter was
lightly treated us being no doubt n
mere fiction OF the real estate dealers.
Even II the mills were started, it was
thought that cotton manufacturing In
Colorado would prove n short-nyed
exotic. This view was hasty and
superficial, as any one who visits the
mills will readily perceive. They
were erected and fitted with machin-
cry Rt n cost OF u little over $500, 900,
and the substantial construction of
the buildings and superior character
OF the plant Indicate careful business
management. The naiis are now Ia
operation, turning out ..Silvcr State
Shccting" with big silver dollar
trade mark, and there are some 200
employees upon the week ly pay roll.
The main building. two stories In
height. is 403xl02 feet in size, built OF
brick, while the picker building meas
ures 7sx4S feet.
The great engine watch moves the
machinery Is rated ut $50 horse
power, with capacity OF developing
1000 horsepower when required.
Tho manufacturing machinery in
cludcs 4Si cards, tho spinning nppara-
tus, l6. 200 spindles. and there are is0
looms. At present the only kind OF
goods manufactured are shee,ing and
drill. Tho cotton used is purchased
In Texas.
The officers OF the company are j.
X. Choatc, president; W. Il. Fisher,
vice. president; John l.. Jerome, treas-
urer. and 7, ". wilmarth, superin-
tendent. Prominent among Denver
people who have fostercd tho enter
prise are Messrs. II. r. Wolcott, H.B.
Chamberlain and John l.. Jerome.
DENVER PArEn MILLS.
The Denver Paper Mills have now
been In successful operation for five
months, But they have been so well
managed. and their output has been
30 uniform and extensive that thoy
have long ceased TO be regarded as an
experiment. The building Is OF great
size. being more than 600 feet long.
from co to 100 feet wide, and very
substantially constructed. The power
Is furnished by five steam engines. one
being Of 800 horsepower and another
OF 400 horsepower. Those who re.
member tho grcnt 1000 horsepower
engine In use nj the Worlds Fair In
Philadelphia, will appreciate tho I'm.
mcnso power afforded by the paper
mills engines.
Al present tho only grade OF paper
made IL that used In new spnpers. The
material used Is wood pulp, mnnufac-
turcd from spruce trees that nrc cut
= ~ o1oo q - Duuon AAnsh railway