The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-12-17
THE INTELLlGENcER.
WHEELING. DECEMBER II. 1900.
SILK Manufacture in wheeling.

Wheeling manufactures have long
been noted the world over. but the
scepter Of the earliest endeavors has
long since departed. In 1851 Wheeling
was famous for making the. finest silk
extant. just as in later years she gained
national reputation for nails. The
present generation knows nothing. Of
course, Of the silk industry established
in this city by John W. Gill, in 1885. and
which attained its greatest prominence
in 1851. A friend OF the Intelllgencer in
looking over Wheeling directory for
1851, calls attention to q rather glowing
description OF Mr.. ellis trlumphs in the
silk line. In quoting from that account
it is noted that Mr.. Gill's establishment
in 1850 was the largest in the United
States. The narrative states:
He employs capital Of $1,000 and con-
sumes annually cocoons and rceled silk to
the value OF Sl6.S(O. His immense looms.
Fox, ST., and John Fox. jr., the former 4
manufacturer In England for thirty years,
turn out almost every variety OF staple
silk, embracing satins. velvet, dress silks,
hat and coat pushes. brocades, lustrings.
levantines, serges, tiorentines. flag silks,
handkerchiefs. scarfs, cravats, gloves.
socks, shirts, sewing silks, couch lace and
s trimmings, tassels. twist, buttons. etc. TO
the value OF $4,000 annually. The first
premiums have been awarded to his goods
wherever they have been offered From
the American Institute. New York. and
the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. he
s has received six medals. and from the Ohio
State Fair. held in 1850. u medal. premium
and diploma He buys In reelcd state
four-fitths OF all the cocoons raised In the
United States,
1t appears, however. that successful
as Mr.. Gill was in turning out silk,
Just as good as the famous French arti-
Gle. an absurd prejudice existed against
1t In favor Of the French made article.
just as such silly prejudices exist among
some classes of consumers to-day. But
even in those days merchants were con-
versant with "the tricks in trade" as
they are practiced at the present time.
for the directory tells us that $50 cx-
tcnsive and yet SO frivolous is this pre-
ference that large portion Of the silk
fabrics OF American growth and manu-
facture are actually sold with foreign
stamp and under forged or fictitious
foreign names! This fact carries with
1t q comment which should dye with
shame the cheek OF every one who
boasts an American origin"
Anincldent is related which furnished
In this days convincing testimony to the
excellence OF the fabrics Of American
make. conveying at the same time the
highest compliment to goods of Wheel
ing manufactures:
Mr.. Gill sent variety OF speci-
mems OF his silks TO California by Mr.. VIM.
was committed to the care Of another per.
son to be returned to Mr.. Gill. On arriv-
Ing In New York his baggage was subject
ed to the usual search by customs house
officer, who demanded the usual duties for
fore!n made silks In vain the innocent
foreign made silks. In vain the innocent
American growth and Wheeling manutac-
ture The memorable officer refused TO
listen to the slightest evidence to prove
them such. Indignantly telling the aston
some easier dupe that customs house
officer TO believe that the best French and
Italian silks were made In Wheeling! he
seized and detained them until the sccre-
evidence OF duplicate invoice, sent him
by Mr. Gill, ordered their release
When we consider that wish all our IN
cilties for the growth Of the worm, our
soil and climate rivaling In this respect
india and China, We yet import SO, 900
worth OF silk goods. while England manu-
features sf5. 600 worth annually. and yet
cannot raise single pound OF the raw
material. VIC have reason to encourage In
the strongest terms the culture and man.
ufacture. OF silk In this country rs some
thing capable OF being expanded into q
grent source OF national wealth.
Wheeling. OF course long years ago
dropped out Of the silk business but to-
day Silk culture and manufacture In
other parts of the country huvn risen to
the Importance 1t was predicted they
would away back In the late '4O's. While
the silk industry may not be revived in
Wheeling the story related above shows
that almost every kind Of manufacture
Is possible here. and that advantages
arc enjoyed now that were unheard and
undreamed OF In the carly efforts OF the
fathers Of industry.