The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-07-15
Daily Output 500 Dozen.
AGENCIES MAINTAINED IN
ALL TEE LARGE CITIES.
From the Bridgeport Conn Morning Tel
egram, June l6.

Z run tuc OliuEepOil lOOH"' oAoAN'A6 -~-
egram, June l6.
One of Bridgeport's most active manufac-
iurerers is the corset factory of Birdsey,
Somera & Co. Notwithstanding the extreme
depression in business affecting almost every
line, a visit to the factory shows that this
depression has not caused them to limit
their production in any way, and 1t is only
until recently that. they have been abe 10
supply the demand for their goods without
working the factory ~ night, the latter h"S'
ing been the rule during the spring season
The factory is row runriag lis fullest capacity
and ten hours day.
Their brands of corse,s must certainty oe
popular with the people or otherwise they
would not have been so favored win an
amount of business which has pushed their
plant to its utmost capacity. 1t has been ono
of the cheerful sights OF the CITY 10 see each
window of their immense haldings refscting
the light and activity within. Oar city
is certainly fortu"ate 20 have Al industry
furnishing employment to SO many OF her
people.
The manufacture Of corse:s has had quite
history. The old-fasbioped stays in which
The grandmothers Of the present generation
we're won't TO lace themselves UP 10 compll-
aDce with the dictates of dame fashion, when
compared with the easy h'iiag, flexible aud
gracefully curved corsets OF ihs present day
arpear almost like instruments Of torture and
ore can Only worder how they were ever
worn with any degree Of comfort, no' to say
pleasure Tns IRE many kinds and Varie-
ties of corsets on the market to-day, eacn
maker claiming certain points OF excellence
for his branch. 1t is reasonably certain,
however that no corset manufactured ii this
or anv other country combine so many good
features rs those Of B!rGsey, Somers 4 GO.
These corsets are knows and worn through
out the United States and Canada and theil
sale is constantly on the Increase. Tne plant
is located on Burroughs street where /! oc-
cupies floor space OF 5000 square feet.
The business was founded IN 1853 md from
a yerr modest begianiGg has grown 70 vast
proscrtioas 10 day fve hnndEed peVsous
are engaged in this facto-y ana evea tnia
large force ie not sufficient 10 always keep mp
with the demand The A7uorside. Tr'cora
and F P. corset are the specla! brands man
ufac.urei and their superiority is uaivet5al!7 :
admitted bv the huadreGs Of thousands OF
women who wesc them. The compAoy has
an elaborately fitted store for the sale OF Ii:
goods al No. s. Leonard street, New York
Agencies are also maintained in Boston, Chr
cago San Francisco and New Orleans
There is also a branch establishment at Bir
miugham, this State, known as the Birming
bam Corse, company and the combined out
put Of the two factories. together with wha
tbey are compelled to have made ny onts:n'
n,arnfsctories "a over 500 dozen Gay. EOtt
companies are owned and managed o. BIRD
sew. So1oers 4 Co. Both Hr. Birdsey ant
Mr.. Son,ers are business men and practlcs
in every sense of The word thoroughly IA
miiiar with every branch Of The business. |
is to their able and inteiiigen' nanagene"
that the company enjo1s saeh prospprou
and continually expanding business. Elgh:.
esteemed in business circles, they sre he'd i;
toaal regard by their feliow-c;tizsns gene
rally.