The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-03
A VALUABLE INDUSTRY.
The Charlottesville Wooden Mills is a
Remarkable Enterprise.

CHARLOTTESVILLE. VA, June p
SceciaI-The old saying that one-half
theh world does not now how the other
half lives IS no less true than the fact
that Virglnians have a small idea Of its
diversified industries Right in gunshot
almost OF this city is an industry that IS
generally known in Virginia as the
Charlottesville Woollen Mills. All know
that Il is a wel-estabished industry, but
very few knows the effect II has on the
trade OF the country al large. and the
extensive operations OF the mills.
The thoroughly trained and skilled
artisans who run the mills are largely
native and all white.
Located one mile out OF the city, the
employees form a little community of
their own. sufficiently removed from the
surroundings Of town life 10 make their
homes rural. and few people I'm any sta
tlon OF life or In any locality enjoy a
higher reputation for sObriety and mo-
rality Nestled away in their comforta-
BILE cottages. many of which are owned
by their frugal occupants. all have the
benefits Of fresh vegetables from their
own gardens, milk from their own cows,
and enjoy life in a quiet. healthful
way unknown 10 the crowded city life.
At the very portals Of the company's
premises stands a beautiful union chapel.
where members OF all Protestant denom-
nations meet on common ground
every Sunday afternoon for the study
OF Gods Word and nothing can bette
express the Christian sentiment OF the
community than to say IL Is one OF the
most prosperous Sunday schools In all
this section.
The officers OF the company are: II.
G. Marchant president; L. r. Hanckel
secretary and treasurer The Board or
Directors consists OF r. +. Valentine,
Judge John NJ. White. W. Kaufman. H.
r. Hanckel. Judge John l.. Cochran. Carl
HOtopp and II. c. Marchant.
This enterprise was organized in 1869,
and started with what is known In wool
len mills parlance as one set Of w0ollen
machinery. O.. one set OF 4S-inch cards
and looms, necessary to utilize their
product
From the beginning, the policy OF the
management has been to eschew cotton.
shoddy and all other adulterants, and
10 work only pure wool. starting with
very plain suitings especially adopted
10 the local trade. This policy by slow
but sure degrees, soon secured regu-
lar and reliable trade. resulting I'm a
gradual development Of both character
and quality OF production. until when, in
1852 the original mills were destroyed
by fire, but were Immediately rebuilt;
the equipment had increased. by the
incruement OF capital resulting from
profits. TO three setts": its trade had
spread over the entire Southern States
as well as many States in the North
and West. and tho characters OF its out
put had gradually developed into line
OF handsome fancy cassimeres, known
far and wide for the unexcelled wearing
merit Almost simultaneously with the
rebuilding OF the mills on an enlarged
scale, came the suggestion OF the late
General Francis III. Smish, then super
intendent OF the Virginia Military lnsti-
tute. that "a Virginia mill ought 10 fur
nlsh the cadet grays and other military
goods for the military schools OF the
South" This meant a radical change
I'm the character OF the fabrics TO be
produced as well az the trade 10 be
catered to- Subsequent events, however,
demonstrated the wisdom OF this true
and loyal Virginian and Southerner By
slow degrees and long time experiment.
ing the. output OF the mills. were con-
verted from fancy casslmeres 20 com
plete line OF uniform goods. until to-day
the entire production consists OF cadet
grays sky and dark blues OF all the
various weights and qualities used by
military schools and organizations, con-
ductors. brakesmen and motormen on
steam and electric cars. police, bands.
&c. and Il is recognized fact amongst
the trade in these lines that the Char
lottesviile Woollen Mills stands m the
head OF the list for everything that be-
speaks superiority OF fabrication. ex-
cellency OF finish. fastness OF color and
unexcelled weaering merit It's trade
reaches from the Lakes to the Gulf, and