The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-06-27
THE DOWNING co.
A LARGE CONCERN.
It's Successful Operations Require the
Outlay Of a Huge Amount
of Capital.
is One OF THE THREE LARGEST
Shippers of Naval Stores in the World-As
Wholesale Grocers Ranks With Larg.
est in the South.

A careful review of the Industrial IN
terests of the city develops the existence
of a class of enterprises in every respect
prepared and equipped to compete with
houses elsewhere and sustain the well mer-
tied reputation of Brunswick as a port
and commercial center of much magni-
tude.
Foremost among the Industries of the
city deserving of extended mention is The
Downing Company, commission merchants
and factors in naval stores, and one of
the three largest in this line IN the world,
and the largest wholesale grocery house
in the city
The successful establishment of This
house marked epoch in the history of
the city, and it is largely to the energy
and enterprise displayed on the part of
the management that Brunswick is now
the second largest shipping port and mar
ket for naval stores in the world
1t was in 1881 that Mr.. Downing came
to Brunswick agent for the Standard
Oil Company to build up naval stores
business for that corporation. This branch
of the business, while a source of revenue
and profit to the company, was disposed
of in 1882 to Mr.. Downing. Under his able
management the business rapidly increased
undergoing several changes in firm style
and finally merging in 1890 into the Down
ing Company, being at that time incorpo-
rated with capital stock of $S0UOU0 with
the following officers, all of whom still!
officiate in the same capacity: c. Down
ing, president; r. w. Paterson. of New
York, vice president, and ]. j. Conoly, sec
rotary
The Downing Company are factors in
naval stores, Wholesale grocers and manu-
facturers OF barrels, and the FIRST and con-
sequently pioneer house in America te
combine both naval stores and supplies
under one management.
While those who have business connec-
tions with this houseraeness i+rr II
concern Of much prominence few really
conceive its magnitude the extent of its
operations the influence it bears in the
commercial world.
The Downing Company is divided into
three departments-the naval stores, TIL
WhOlSodiS eIOCGIy EfONlSlUlI, ana Tue
barrel manufacturing departments, which,
together with the office force give EN-
ploymeht to over 100 clerks and other OPP
eratives.
The most important branch of the bust
ness and one which requires an enormous
amount of capital to conduct, is that Of
the naval stores. AS commission mer-
chants and factors the company handles
an average of $1,000 barrels of turpentine
and 100000 barrels of rosin per year, valued
approximately at slips, 600 In the prosecu-
ton of this business the company utilizes
1920 square feet of ground, located imme-
diately upon the water front. On thee
premises is. a wharf $40 feet in length,
capable of easily accommodating three
vessels and extended track facilities, thus
rendering the shipping and receiving facili-
ties of a superior nature. In this depart
ment fully 100 men employed.
The wholesale grocery department is one
of much magnitude, and the business trans
acted is 100000 per annum, making The
Downing Company the largest wholesale
grocery house in the city and one OF the
largest in the state. 1t would be super
fuous to enumerate the articles in stock
except to state that a general line OF
groceries, tobacco and provisions ear
ried. The manufacture of baking powder
is a special feature of this branch. The
brands of the house are Liberty Bell, EN-
pire and Pin, all of which are pure and I'M
adulterated goods and without ;, sunerioI
on the market.