The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-07-07
WORK PROGRESSING.
BRABSTER WEST.

WORK PROGRESSING.
Farmers Tannery and Shoe Factory at
Hillsboro, as Seen by Rev. N. B. Cobb.
Correspondence of the Progressive Farmer.
People who think the Farmers Al
lance in North Carolina is dead will be
speedily undeceived if they will pay a
visit to the Alliance headquarters near
Hillsboro and see how they are forging
ahead with their fam, their tannery
and their shoe factory.
The writer has recently visited these
head quarters and was surprised to see
the rapid and progressive changes that
have taken place in this valuable prop
erty within the last two months. Valu-
able crops Of oats, corn, miIlet and pc
tatoes were growing on old fields that
had been cut down. A two horse NOV
ing Machine was cutting a fine crop of
oats from the land in front of the bar
racks, formerly used as a parade
ground for the cadets. A two story
steam tannery in full view of the
North Carolina railroad was nearing
completion. Two steam engines con
nected with a 40 horse power boiler
were being put in positions. 30 watts
were already completed and a rapid
process Of tanning leather will soon be
inaugurated.
The original buildings on the ground
are all being utilized. The barracks, a
beautiful two story brick building $50
feet long and 25 feet wide, have been
repaired and partly fitted up for fam
lies. In others are the business offices
of the general manager and the secre
tary and the houses of the general
manager and his clerk. The rooms on
the two upper floors will be used to &C.
commodate the Alliancemen at their
next meeting, and can be util I'D as
dormitories fer operators in the fac
tory. TIE long wooden building 225
feet long which is not seen from the
railroad has been repaired and recov-
cred, and wOrkmen were busy putting
in the shafting for shoe-making ma
chinery, that will give employment to
1875 hands. They will, IN a few weeks,
be turning out shoes Of every quality
| demanded by the farmers from q com,
mon brogan to the faest ladies' shoe.
| Space has been reserved in this build,
ing for shafting to run sewing ma
chimes or knitting mills by the same
power that drives the shoe factory
viz. a 80 horse power engine with a 40
horse power boiler.
was rejoiced to see this work pro
crossing so rapidly. It is an object
lesson to the farmers of what unity of
effort will do. The farmer need no
longer sell his hides to the merchant to
be shipped off to the North, but he can
ship his green hides or raw hides to T.
Ivey, the business manager Of the Al.
lance at Htllsboro, N. O., and have
| their product returned to him in shoes
or leather just al he chooses, as the
farmers all over the State nov ship
their wool to the Elkin or other WOODEN
| mills and receive in return blankets or
cloth.
Connected with this valuable plant
are 146 acres of land, enough to hold
several large factory towns in the very
healthiesG section of the State and in
full view of the Occoneechee noun
tains. II this enterprise should prove
a success, then l see nc reason why it
should not lead to cooperative cotton
mills, fruit canning establishments and
tobacco factories in the East.
The business of the Alliance at Hills
boro seems to be in the hands Of good
men who are alI very enthusiastic. Mr..
A. +. HiIeman, Chairman Of the Elk,
| ecutive Committee was personally su
perintending the placing and gearing
of the engines at the tannery, and an
| expert was in charge Of the work at
the shoe factory, under the general
supervision of the business manager.
Every body on the place seemed to
be hard at work to have things in
readiness for the coming meeting OF the
State Alliance.
Do NOT weaken in the agitation for
government control of the telegraph.
It is characteris5icaiIy a printers
movement e0d cvorv printer in tho