Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-05-11
Buena Vista.

Buena Vista.
HOW THE STRINGENT TIMES SERVE TIE PLACE
THE COLUMBIAN PAPER MILLS.
Correspondent of the Staunton SPECTATOR.
BUENA VISTA, Va, May I, 1s92.-Buena
Vista is passing through the tests of endur-
ance, with much more success than would
have been supposed to be her share, if the de-
pressing times in their full reality had entered
into the account of profit and loss when it
was opened. Difficulties are not permanent
losses, and, when gain is entered up the loss
is often overbalanced. Of the fifteen or more
industrial plants put down here, not one has
ceased to be effective, and such as have not
boldly passed through the shrinkage incident
to the entire country, and particularly severe
upon the new towns, are now commencing to
realize on the lines of that reasonable antici-
patton which warranted the establishment of
such enterprises. A case illustrating the con-
illusions expressed, is found in the paper mills
about which, in previous correspondence, the
adversely experienced was stated, and in
change of ownership hopeful, if not an as
sured profitable future was outlined.
Never to be over-sanguine, as time and ex-
perience have to- fill up results, is always
good rule to observe, and, accordingly, not
however doubling, the new ownership of the
paper mills were left at that point, that the
future might bring to view its own reality.
AS previously stated, Mr.. J. w. Blackburn
~. - = Il
who made the sale to the new COMPATIBILITY
with the value of the property to
be sold and its advantages, sought purchasers
among the paper-making establishments of
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, who were not
only experienced and successful in their pur-
suits, but also had ample capital-that class
of men who, having all requisites, were in
After careful investigation on the part of the
purchasers, the sale was effected and now the
COLUMBIAN PAPER COMPANY,
as the newly-equIpped establishment is
known, enters upon the design in hand, with
a paid-up or ready capital of two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, every cent of which
comes from the North.
Time was when wood was an unknown
in making paper, but progress has
reversed that order of things. Wood IS now
the chief material for such purposes. Science
and inventive genius have been busy with
the pulp, as the rough product of the wood is
known, to bring its texture to the availability
of cotton for this purpose, and it has been &C
An Annex, or that part of a paper-making
which becomes necessary for
the pulp in its highest qualities,
costs as much as the mills with all their COM
plicated machinery. This part of a complete
outfit is known as Chemical Soda Fibre
feature.
The managers, who are paper-makers, are
here. Their engineer and architect familiar
with the construction of the chemical. depart |
ment is here also. The building is located
and contractors have commenced work. The |
location of the paper-mills as well as this ad-
lition, is on the river shore. An immense |
amount of heavy stone-work is required and
that material abounds to an unlimited extent |
in one hundred yards of the location. The |
cost of the addition and fixtures is |
one hundred and twenty-five thousand dol
lars.
The soft white wood for making the pulp
is found in great abundance through wide
section of the country around Buena VISTA |
and contracts for it are being entered into
Thirty cords per day will be required
Another material, to the extent of three
hundred bushels, is fresh lime. That amount |
will also be daily requirement.
The mills will run continuously detail of |
one hundred and forty hands by day and the
will be the daily product.
The managers express themselves as highly |
pleased with their location, and did not ex-
,ect to find such an abundance of wood ma
erial. AS to lime, that is at the door of the |
works, so to speak.
The construction of the Fibre plant and the |
of the capacity of the mills will |
the establishment will be making
PAPER to the extent of its present and its
gradually growing capacity.
The gentlemen who have taken this enter
,rise in hand are not SPECTATORS, nor pro-
noters, nor boomers. They are paper
makers and paper-merchants, who visited
3uena Vista and were pleased with the loca-
ion for their expanding pursuits, and so
nave cast part of their fortunes with u.s.
Their operations, when in full play will dis
ribute weekly over the counters of the Buena
Vista banks from 50, 500 to $1,000.
Buena Vista contractors and labor and ma
erial, as well as supervising engineer and
lrchitect, are of the early fruits of the advent
If our newly-made friends.