The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-09-25
THEIR VISIT TO LAURENS.
Messrs. c. r. Hammond anu w. u.
Chapman at the Furniture Factory.

Our townsmen, Messrs. e. P. Hammond
and W. 6. Chapman, are thoroughly awe 10
the interests of the furniture factory Whlcn II
is proposed to build at AboeVille They are
thrifty and prosperous citizens. Mr.. Chap.
man made bis start in the world as con.
tractor and builder OF houses, ana mas adaeo ssa
to his fortune by success IN tne merGantlie
nossessor OF q section OF nice dwelling houses
which he built and his laundry Is one OF the
hest paying institutions In town.
Before commencing WORK a. me @ efec,oh acb,o. q.
ery, they concluded to make Trip 10 LauFens
in search Of information. -,, h,,
They were delighted at their reception oy
the officers and managers OF the institution, !,
who gave them many Interesting statements
as TO The business They we're shown througn n
the establishment, too and saw the macnines
running, while the men were poKlng stiSks
into them. They were amazed 10 learn % t9a. 70 =
the factory was paying from S2Io 10 20 a
day for work which they thought could be
done at Abbeville by men az Sky cen tsa Us q q
day. Being practical men themseixss lucy
knew that If the LaIrens factory coulo sIauu a'l
such salaries TO a score of men. that thelr
fortune would be assured. II they could get
the machinery and the timber at Aooevliie.
When ~ was explained 10 them that their
building cost $4,000 they were auidy sasIeie enIG
be the best thing on earth. Their experience
an builders and contractors taught them that
Laurens had paid more than double for price
for their houss ana 'nat bEck syuses for
ihsn half of the cost Of the Laurens wooden
houses. ,a, -. ,.o
statement OF the Laurens factory loik that
two brick houses for the Abbeville factory
50xlUO feet, would cost S25,00O The Ab6eville
warehouses;, the same size cost less than
fourth OF the Laurens estimate, and Messrs.
Chapman and Ieis ond tIat in aave vee iher
company, say, $4,000 from the Laurens esti'
Encouraged at the prospect of saving so
much at Abbeville; where Laurens na1 SS. an spen
sought still further Information. The Laur'
ems factory folk being kind and com munica, ca
tive showed their books. They lacked Sl9,OOO
Of They enst sne
tives were not at all surprised TO see dc
fciency, when they remembered that such
excessive wages were paid and when 80 much
had been wasted on houses; yet bootke Mt eener @
himself, and has had experience along that
line asked about the credit for stock on hand,
and for bills receivable, was informed tnat
such things were not fegsraeo ao%nt or sounts naS
He counted only checks in hand. which any
reasonable man would regard as perfectly, II
the figures could be made 10 show pront.
AS to the advisability OF starting new
factory. the Laurens men we're slow to advise.
They thought that men who started furnl.
ture factory would wear out lot OF bed
clothes lying awake at night, and turning
over in bed. That the speaker would not try
II again for $1,000.
MI. Chapman noticed the face OF the pretty
stenographer wreatbed In smiles as she turn.
ed away 10 laugh. He then thought she was
laughing at the size OF Mr.. Hammond. AHer
refiection he now thinks she was laughing al
the way they were taking in facts about the
furniture business.
After the return OF Messrs. Hammond and
Chapman, they reported some Of their ex-
neriences at Laurens, Even II no factory is
built, in the trip to Laurens and the amuse.
ment which their experience has furnished,
Is found pay for time and outlay IN money.