Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-16
MANY YEARS. EXPERIENCE.
John W. Rowe Has Bean Making Sashes and
Blinds Nearly Half a Century.

c. B. Chick, the Augusta correspondent,
of the Boston Globe, furnished for his Sun.
day letter the following write-up of John
w. Rowe of this city, the oldest sash and
blind maker:
Forty-seven years ago last July, young
man just out of his teens, applied to Mr.
Williamson for a situation to learn the sash
and blind business. His name was John
w. Rowe, the subject of this sketch.
Mr.. Rowe was born in Augusta, 67 years
ago. The house in which he was born has
tinge of romance about it, 1t was the
first frame house ever erected in Augusta,
and was always known as the Great
house." 1t was built and occupied by Gen.
James Howard, at that time commander of
fort Western.
1t was il this house that Gen. Benedict
Arnold wrote all his letters to Gen. George
Warrington, while he and Aaron Burr were
being entertained when they made their ia
nous pilgrimage through the Maine forests
to Canada.
For many years this house was the head
quarters for all political and social meet
ing', as Gen. Howard had the reputation
~ can remember the first day | walked
into Mr.. Wil,iamson's mill, and asked him
for situation, as if it were but yesterday, -
said Mr.. Rowe to the Globe correspondent.
at does not seem long while to look
back, but half century is long time to
look ahead.
"There has not been as much change in
my business as there has in some other
branches of trade during this time, except
that there is not nearly as much money
made now in the business as there was
then. The reasons for this are many.
"When first began to work at the bus
mess good pine lumber could be bought for
S25 thousand. Now you have to pay S55
for the same kind of stock.
81 don't believe there is a sash and blind
factory in the New England states that is
making more than a bare living. In the
West they put up portable saw mills right
in the forests snd manufacture the logs into
doors, sash and blinds before it leaves the
mill. This saves large amount in trans
portation. and the goods are shipped into
our market to compete with those made in
the East. This tends to keep the price
down to the lowest possible notch.
There IS not much difference in the
wages paid today and so years ago. Then
good workman got 50 day, and from
that it ran dow to 81. This is about what
the same class of workmen are getting to-
day. OF course there are few exceptions,
but this will hold good with nearly all the
wOrkmen.
But the hours of labor were very differ
ent. When l began to learn my trade the
workmen were obliged to get to work by
80 in the morning. They worked until I,
when they went to breakfast. At noon they
were only above cd three-quarters of an hour,
and did not stop work at night until 30.
1.-The young men Of today would think
this was pretty tough, but we did not mind
i: in those days. 1t was the custom, and
we soon got used to it. Taking the time
into consideration, CT course, the wages
were lower.
Soon after the Williamson Brothers
dissolved partnership, Orrin Williamson
bought the mill where | now work. He
formed a copartnership with Josiah p.
Wyman, which lasted many years. After
Mr. Williamson retired it was run by Mr..
Wyman and his two sons. 1t was rinally
purchased by the present proprietors, Web
Der & Gage.
"Although the goods IN tnose Gays were
nearly all handmade, don't think they
we're any better, and doubt if they were
as good as those manufactured today by
labor-saving machinery. The styles, of
course, have changed. Fortyfve years
ago it wa. rare thing to see large lights
of glass in sash. Now plate glass is used
even in the moderate priced houses.
chandler Weber, Sylvanus Corson,
Tina Greenwood, Ansel Watson, Cyrus
Fellows, Frederick and Francis Brann and
Augustus Smith were fellow workmen 30
and 40 years ago. Very few of them are
living today, and none are in the business
xcept Chandler Weber, who is now one
of the proprietors of the mill in which
have worked for over 40 years.
1.-The first year went to work had $50
and my board This would seem small
pay today, but l managed to live on it."
Mr.. Rowe has held many positions OF
honor and trust in the city duliog his life,
and has always been very active in Masonic
work, being now one of the officers of Beth
lshem Lodge. He is one of the old young
men whom the younger eleme mt are gla TO
know, and always feel proud to honor.