The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-04
is SUSPENDED.
Condensed Milk Factory is
Once More Stopped.

West Brookheld, Oct. S.-Some time
during the war about 1868, W. X. Lewis
& Brothers Of Boston built factory
here for the purpose Of condensing
milk, which they purchased of the
farmers in this vicinity, and for mum
Der of years they carried on the larg-
est business in condensing milk of any
factory in the country, finding ready
sale for all they could manufacture
and shipping large quantities to for
eign countries.
Later on, competition set in, other
factories were built and business be-
came Improbable, and in the spring of
1895 w. K. Lewis & Brothers sold out
their business to a company Of which
S. K, Roberts of Cambridge was the
principal and ]. H. Whitaker of Boston
was treasurer. For some time the
farmers were jubilant over the ready
sale which they had for all their milk,
and efforts were made on the part Of
the company for q larger supply, and
everything seemed prospecting But in
short time, although the company
was as eager for the milk, they were
not so eager to pay for 1t, and in Au-
gust the farmers met and decided to
put an attachment on the factory,
which was done and a keeper put in.
This resulted in a settlement by which
the farmers accepted 10 cents on the
dollar, but since then they have not
delivered any milk there.
1t was understood at that time that
Mr.. Roberts severed his connection
with the company, and as he was the
moneyed man of the concern, 1t has
labored under many disadvantages
since his withdrawal
Last week there were rumors of the
sale of the factory to Connecticut par
ties, but the sale was not consum-
mated, and early in the week C. g.
Knowlton, the resident superintendent
received orders to close the factory Oct
l, which was done.
This industry, although it never en-
ployed 8 large number Of hands, was OF
great help to the town of West Brook
field, for over 80 years the farmers Of
this vicinity depended almost entirely
upon it for the sale of their milk. as
but very few delivered their milk at
the depot to the milk car of the Brig
ham Milk Company of Boston, and In
fact no milk shed was built to receive
their milk until after the failure of the
Condensed Milk Company. 1t is hoped
that some arrangements will be made
to start the factory soon, as the town
can not afford to be deprived of so
old an industry.
NEWS ABOUT TOWN.
Charles K. Watson returned Satur-
day afternoon from the G. A R. en-
campment at Cincinnati.
Fred f. Sheehan, the clerk at the
hotel, is at his home at Granville, N.
Y, for his vacation.
Mrs. George Hamilton returned from
her trip to Bangor, Me-, on Saturday
The game of foot ball on Holmes
field Saturday, between the North
Brookflelds and the West Brookfields,
resulted in favor of the latter by the
score of y to 0.
William Bassen of the United States
navy is here on furlough.
Frank w Thompson is still seriously
i'll, at his home, on Main street.
There will be no meeting Of the Qua
boag Historical Society in this town
this fall, as has been the usual Gus
tom.
c. L. Olmstead left on business trip
to New York this morning.
B. F. Aiken has resumed business at
his old market, which he sold to Jesse
Robinson last June.