Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1896-09-26
HON. ALsToN q. DAYTON
Visits Hartinsburg Hills and Factor
les and is AgreeabIY Surprised.

W IA %AAG So
gresham Dayton, by invitation Of
Mr.. f. E. Kilbourn, visited the inn
mense manufacturing establishment
of the Kilbourn Knitting Machine
! Co, at the head of West King street,
and was SO delighted that he after
ward took a look at the Brooklyn
] Brass Works, the Auburn Wagon
Co.'S shops, the Middlesex Knitting
Mills and the big cannery Of Messrs.
Rothwell & Lovett.
Mr.. Dayton, accompanied by Hon.
Geo. M. Bowers and the Editor of the
Herald, was cordially received by
President +. f. Kilbourn and Gener-
al Manager G. w. Kilbourn, who con-
Quoted the party to the basement
where great quantities of wool and
cotton are stored. They were shown
secured wool, which prior to the adj
vent of free wool cost 90 cents a
pound and up, but is now bought for
80 cents. Next to the picker house,
; and then to the spinning department,
in charge Of Mr.. Thomas NJ. Pearson,
the intricate processes of picking,
carding and spinning being fully ex-
planned.
After examining the engines and
electric lighting machinery, also the
heating apparatus, the immen Sc
knitting room, in charge of Mr..
Joseph Haas, was visited and the al
most incredible working of the auto
matte knitting machines was viewed
with much interest. These machines,
the invention of Mr.. Kilbourn, knit
a stocking complete, including heel
and toe, without any manipulation
whatever.
The apparatus for purifying water,
the dye house, where Mr.. VIM. r. Lee
produces fast black without any
thing black about the esta Adjustment,
and the finishing and packing de-
partments were each visited in turn
and the 100 samples of next years
styles were inspected with much in
terest by Mr.. Dayton who had no
idea there was an establishment in
his district which produces the finest
wool, merino and cotton hose in the
world.
At the Brass Works, Mr.. Everett
Marshall, Secretary and Treasurer,
kindly explained all of the processes
whereby a lump of spelter in trans
formed into a golden angel, wings
and all, and how parlor lamps and
fine onyx-top tables and cabinets
are constructed.
This splendid establishment is just
getting fairly under way. About IFS
men now find steady employment
and if business improves the force
will be largely increased. Many of
the employees, those who recently
came from New York, expressed re-
greet that they had not been in the
State long enough to vote for the mar
who beat Chilly" Wilson.
The next point Of interest was the
mammoth mandatory of the Au-
burn Wagon Co. President I. c..
Ward extended inequalities and Mr..
]. A. Owen, Superintendent, explain
ed the processes Of wagon making.
One matter of interest to Mr.. Dayton
was a Geographic order for 90 wag-
ons received by Mr.. Ward a few days
ago which read-"Ship, November 6,
provided Mckinley is elected; if Bryan
is elected, we do not want them"
Mr.. P. H. Welty, Secretary and
Treasurer, brought out his cigar box
and after thanking the gentlemen for
courtesies bestowed the party wendell
its way to the Middlesex Knitting
Mills, an adjunct to the Kilbo urn
Mills, Of which Mr.. Frank w. Van
horn is superintendent. This hive of
industry was duly inspected with
much pleasure.
Last on the list, but by no means
least important or interesting was the
big cannery which just now has a
most voracious appetite for tomatoes.
The process of canning was followed
through all stages, being explained
by Mr.. Lovett, who is very proud of
the plant which many persons say is
destined to be of more benefit to the
people of the county than any other
industry here.
There are other places which Mr..
Dayton would have been pleased to
visit but for lack of time. He hopes,
however, to have an opportunity to
get around and see all of our indus