The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
One of Best Equipped Mod
ern Plants in the South
Built up by Energy
and Industry.
WILMINGTON'S PRIDE.
Managed by Progressive and Energetic Young
Men. The Only Mill on the Coast in the
South in Successful Operation.

Among the many Illustrations of the
progressive spirit which animates the
manufacturing life of Wilmington. none
perhaps is more distinctly marked than
the example furnished in the thriving
and prosperous concern known as the
Wilmington Cotton Mills. In a com
munity the generality Of mem follow in
the path already cut by their predeces-
sols. and it is to those who are original
in the idea and prosecution of new
measure that the public must look for
benefits and improvements upon the
older and more conventional ways.
Nothing could be newer in the South to-
day than cotton mills, and 10 these must
the South look for much of her future
developments therefore the managers
Of these enterprises must be men with
new ideas and measures, at least new III
the South. and conventional customs
must make way for the industrial devel-
opment In this line the Wilmington
Cotton Mills is a pioneer, having been
established more than twenty years.
The plant is admirably located on
Front street, between Dawson and
Surry and extends to the river, the
premises covering two blocks. The
four buildings, from one to three stories
high, were specially designed, and are
Of the most substantial character, fur
nishcd with an abundance Of all modern
machinery. visit to the plant dis
closed wonderful scene of activity. n
perfect maze Of machinery greets the eye
Hundreds Of wheels speeding with
lightning like rapidity, miles of belts
traversing the space and thousands Of
looms and spindles in operation make a
picture that cannot impress one G.her
than that the Wilmington Cotton Mills
is certainly very busy institution. a
three hundred horse power Heine boiler
with HAWKES. down draft furnace fun
nishes the power for the mills. Besides
being connected with the city water
5Norks the company has an independent
~ Stem OF its own, one pump Of which
throws n thousand gallons per minute.
The mills run day and night, and about
three hundred and fifty people find en-
ployment in them The monthly pay
roll is from $500 to $4,000 per month.
Ii is the aim Of the management to EN-
ploy the best class Of labor, and as Il
general rule the employees Of the mill
are exceptionally good citizens, many Of
tthem being in a prosperous condition.
Substantial and beautiful varieties of
domestic are manufactured, which find
a ready sale in Boston, Chicago, st.
Louis. st. Paul and many other large
cities North and South Two hundred
thousand dollars worth Of products are
manufactured annually. The dom9stics
are used for making dressing gowns,
c0aks, shirts baby garments, etc. Two
~, Inla of mn
consumed hy the mills. The supplies
Of the mill are bought and its repairing
done i'm Wilmington. and these items.
together with large pay roll, make
the institution Il most valuable one for
the city. The mill company is incor-
porated with 100000 preferred and
100000 common stock, and has the
following officers: Hugh McRae, preSi-
dent. and Donald MeRae, secretary and
treasurer. Directors: Matt j. Heyer,
Giles. H. NJ Wescott. Mr.. Hugh Me-
Rae, who has been president If the
company for five years, is n native Of
Wilmington, and was educated i'm the
Institute of Technology, Boston. Mass.
graduating therefrom in 1885, as n min
ing engineer. Mr.. McRac is director
in the North Carolina Railroad, the Ma
tional Bank of Wilmington, the VIII
mington Compress and Warehouse Com
pany, the Wilmington Tariff Associa-
ton. the Oakdale Cemetery Company,
and is also vice-preSident of the Will
nIngton Underwriters Association, all
CT which stamps him as one of Will
Lington's most enterprising and pro-
s.tssiye citizens. Although a young
M, Mr.. McRae is one of the City
Fathers" of Wilmington. and this alder
manic position gives him IN opportuni-
ty assist in forwarding the interests of
the city in a great many ways. Mr..
Donald McRae is one Of Wimington's
most energetic and progressive young
business men. and always takes an ac-
tive interest in the city's welfare.