The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-03

become managing director in the COM
pany.
The American Tobacco Company is one
OF the greatest concerns Of the kind In the
world. 1t Is now capitalized at about
H5.oo0,o00. and OF the capital stock Major
Ginter owned about s. 900. The Rich
mond concern is regarded as certainly one
Of the most profitable branches of the
great corporation. The fame OF the Allen
e. Ginter branch Is not confined 10 this
country. but has spread abroad as re-
preventative American Industrial enter
prise.
To Richmond itself this -reat insiitu-
ton Is Of special importance. giving en-
ployment as II does TO something Ike
LOO people, and circulating wages
amounting to about 10000 annually. In
addition, II creates incidental business
arising from its purchases OF stock and
extension OF its premises and appoint
ments. The capacity OF the factory here
IS equal 10 the production annually OF
more than @O00,O00 cigarettes and 10000
pounds OF smoking tobacco. The actual
output is something like 500. 900 olga
rettes. and $4,000 pounds Of smoking to-
bacco.
Its territory Of trade practically covers
the world. and the American
Tobacco Company, Of which the
Richmond factory is branch,
employs something like two hun
dred and fifty travelling men. The Rich
mond branch continues TO pursue that
progressive policy in advertising which
has proven so potent a factor in building
up their mammoth trade.
The French government after a rigor-
Gus analysis of the paper and tobacco
~ rrr4f Ih he a fnf ar ola u ROT aal
are made. awarded them contracts 10 sup
ply it with their product, in the face
OF thee ompettion OF manufacturers all
over the world.
THE GREAT FIRE.
In 1893 one cold winter day. early In the
morning the factory at Seventh and Cary
streets in some mysterious way took fire.
and despite all efforts of the department.
which had TO contend with frozen by
drants and the biting cold, IL burned UNI
I'll Il was completely destroyed. The val
liable machinery was ruined, the great
building entirely Quilted and large
amount Of stock consumed. That was a
serious blow 10 the hundreds Of employ
ees engaged in tho factory. Most of these
were girls who made their living rolling
cigarettes. At first they were much
down-cast over the prospect and thought.
OF course, that IL would be months before
the establishment could be rebuilt and
work resumed.
Major Gintcr with his generous nature
and kind consideration, realized what 10
meant for these girls to be thrown out OF
employment, and he az once engaged
temporary quarters, telegraphed for new
machinery 10 be shipped 10 Richmond
at the earliest possible date, and I'm the
surprisingly short period of ten days,
nla HfHH.
was used was on Twcnty-nfth and Cary
streets. BY this arrangement. tho cm-
ployees lost little time. and Major Gintcr
without knowing &c. came In for profound
gratitude at the hands Of the employees
The loss by this lire was nearly S3lOO00
II was largely covered by insurance. The
work was al once commenced of clearing
away the debris az the corner Of Seventh
and Cary. and the rebuilding Of new
factory was pushed forward with an
speed. IL was not long before the pres-
ent spacious structure was complete. and
since that time the business has been
pushed forward without interruption, and
has been largely increased.
Besides his interest in the American
Tobacco Company. NJ Or Ginter was as
ISOLATED I'm one way or another with vaIi-
Gus businesses enterprises Of this city and
elsewhere. He was president Of the
Brook Turn Pike Company which has
done so much towards giving Richmond
people delightful drives. He was also
president Of the Sherwood Land Com
pany, one OF the largest organization OF
its kind in this city. He was vice-presi-
dent OF the Virginia Dredging Company
was at the head of the BloOmingdaIe
Stock Farm, was president OF the Jeffcr-
son Hotel and the principal owner Of this
valuable property. He was one Of the
principal owners Of the Richmond Loco
motive Works; he was on the board
Of directors OF oDs Of the banks Of this
city, had large real estate interests I'm
Richmond and vicinity. besides various
other investments OF one sort or another.
IIS GKEIf PUBLIC SPIRIT.