Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-18
A Word 10 Augusta Citizens.


city from Ocean Point last evening,
and will devote today and tomorrow to
the work of canvassing for stock SUBJ
scriptions to the Boyd & Corey Shoe
Company, of Augusta. In connection
with his labors in this direction, a brief
review of the steps by which this
splendid enterprise was secured to our
city Will not be out Of place. 1t has
long been evident to thoughtful and
observing citizens that if Augusta is
to have in the future a continuation of
the growth and prosperity she has en-
sary that she secure such new pro-
ductive enterprises as will largely in
crease her opportunities for the en-
ployment of labor.
1t would be difficult to estimate the
impetus that may be given a commu-
nifty by the addition of single solid
business establishment with a large
pay roll This need of our city was
frequently discussed by the members
of the Augusta Board of Trade, and it
was felt that among the most desira-
BILE industries to be secured, would be
factory.
With this object in view, Mr.. G. S.
Iichhnrn IF
the board, devoted large amount of
time in corresponding with shoe men
and companies, and succeeded in bring
ing to Augusta several parties, who
were interviewed by those directly in
tcrested in the enterprise. On each &C.
casion, Mr.. Vickery would ask this per-
tinent question: do you come here ex-
pecting us to build and equip a shoe
factory for you, and exempt it from tax
alton, give you the use of it, and if you
know enough about the business to run
it successfully, well and good; and if
all you have to do is to put on your
coat and hat and step out? If that is
your idea of what we want, it is per-
fectly useless for you or me to waste
our time discussing the matter. If. on
the other hand, you are willing to come
here and organize company under the
laws of the State, and put in your
money with us, dollar for dollar, we are
ready to talk business with you.'
That kind of business talk drove
every one of them away, till the repre-
sentatives of the Boyd & Corey Com
pany of Marlboro, came here with the
proposition to prove to our city their
old plant of 60 years standing, they hav-
ing been obliged to shut down some
months before, on account of labor
troubles. They had been reluctant to
leave Marlboro, and many were the in
ducements offered them, to locate in
other states, as they were an old and
reliable concern. They had no less
than II offers from Maine parties, be-
sides other numerous offers from other
states.
When they came here Messrs. HIGH
Manley, Hon. NJ. Il. Chase, Hon. Ira H.
Randall and other conferred with them
and found that they presented square
business proposition. Seventeen other
places in Maine were cOntending for
the prize, and the great question in
volved was the raising of $4,000 to
meet their requirements. The location
of this concern in our city could be Sc
cured only in one way, and that was
Vickery came forward on behalf of our
citizens and personally guaranteed this
whole amount before dollar was
subscribed. This prompt and generous
act secured to the city of Augusta this
great business enterprise, and shut out
all competitors. Had the dilatory
method of choosing a committee 10
raise the sum been resorted to, we
should have had no shoe factory, which
enterprise will surely open the door in
our city to more new enterprises, such
as paper box factory and a shoe box
factory, etc.
Having secured the factory, Mr..
Vickery at once subscribed for $4,000
worth of stock, which was one-fifth of
the whole amount, and DIR. Hill, his
partner in business, took $4,000; thus it
will be seen that Vickery & Hill took
nearly one-third of the whole amount
of stock, as $4,000 is the exact amount
that is to be raised. Hon. ]. H. Man
hey came forward and promptly took
$4,000. Hon. f. C. Burleigh the same.
Hon. Geo. f. Macomber, F. G. Kins-
man & Co., C. S. Hichborn, Esq, Hon.
NJ. V. B. Chase. w. H. Gannett, Heath
g. Andrews, Judge A. G. Andrews, sub
scrbed~ hberally-so that. without any
effort $2S.50O was secured, leaving
$19,50O to be raised.
We hume oct ta J,nl I