The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-09-23
AGENCIES MAINTAINED I
ALL THE LARGE CITIES.
From the Bridgeport Conn M,rniog Te
egram, June l6.

From the Bridgeport Conn., N ,rpiog Tel
egram, June l6.
One of Br;dgtport's most active nv nufnc
,nrerers is the corset factory of Birdsey
Somers l. Co Notwithstanding the extrem,
depression 10 business affecting almost every
line, visit 10 the factory shows that thi
depression has not caused them to limi
their production in any way, and it is only
until recently that ,hev have been atle Il
supply the demand for their goods wi:hou
working toe factory at night, the latter hav
ing been the rule during the spring season
The factory is low running its fullest capacity
and ten hours day.
Their brands OF corsels must certainly bt
popular with the people or otherwise they
would not have been so favored with al
amount Of business which has pushed thei
plant to its utmost capacity. 1t has been ont
of the cheerful sights the city 10 see eact
window Of their immense buildings rejecting
the light and activity within. Our city
is certainly fortunate 10 have an industry
furnishing employment to 80 many of bel
people.
The manufacture Of corsets has had quite a
history The old-sashioned stays in which
,he grandmoihers of the present generatisn
we're won, to lace themselves up 10 compli-
ance with the dictates of dame fashion. when
compared with the easy 6itiug, 6exl"le and
gracefully curved corsets OF the present day
appear almost like instruments Of torture and
ome can only onder how they were ever
worn with Ar egree Of comfort, not to say
pleasure There are many kinds and varie-
ties Of corsets on the market to-day, each
maker claiming certain points Of excellence
for his branch. j. is reasonably certain,
however, that no corset manufactured 10 this
or any other country combine so many good
features as those Of Birdsey, Somers Co.
These corsets are known and worn through
out the United States and Canada and theiI
sale is constantly on the Increase. The plant
is located on Burroughs street where il oc-
cupies floor space Of $4,000 square feet.
The business was founded 10 1865 and from
very modes! begiuuiag has grown to vast
proportions. To day Sge hundred persons
are engaged in this factory and even this
large force e not sufficient TO always keep up
with the demand. The Armo7side, Trlcory
aud ?. corset are ,he special brands raao
ufactured and their superiority is universally
admitted by the hundreds of thousands OF
au e.aoorately rtted store tor the sale Of It's
goods at No. IS Leonard street, New York
Agencies are also maintained in Boston, CHI
cago, San Francisco and New Orleans.
Trere is also branch establishment at BIZ
mngham, this State, knowu as the 3:rming-
taua Corset company and tie combired out
pu, Of the Two factories, together with what
they are compelled to have made by outside
manufactures is over $50 dozen n day. Both
companies are owned and mnnaged hy !;ird-
sey, Somers Il Co. Both Hr. Birdser and
Mr. Scmers Are business men aud practical
in every stnse Of the word thoroughly ia
miiinr with every branch Of The business 1t
IS u their able and intelligent: management
that the company enjoys such a prosperous
aud continually expanding business. Highly
esteemed IN business circles, they are hed IN
equal regard i,.T ihsiT fellcw-c'izens eeae-