The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-05
LOOKS like A BOOM
View of Rocky Mounts In
creaslng Business.
New Tile and Brick Company. Cotton Seed Oil
Mill to Double Its Busnessr Other
Enterprises.
Enterprises

interesting, but gratifying to mark the
go by, of Eastern Carolina towns. / de-
lieve that it can truthfully be slater that
there are but few towns Gf any, located
in this section of the State that have
not within the last FIVE to ten years i'm
proved more in growth, development and
business than they did during twenty
fact so far as Rocky Mount is concerned
And from what / see and hear the out
look is that the town will improve and
increase in business and manufacturing
enterprises more within the next years
than she has in the last five. The most
important work going on here at this
time in the way of internal improve
ments is putting down the Sewerage
pipes and the establishment of an cleo
trio light plant There is q force of over
100 hands at work on the streets digging
trenches for the main and connecting
pipes. I am told that a plant of suffi-
cent power will be put in to not only
supply all the lights needed by the town,
at this time, but it will be fully capaci-
tated to answer future requirements.
In conversation with Mr.. d. j. Rose,
the efficient and well known architect
of Rocky Mount, / learn besides about
fifteen new residences now in course of
erection to cost from 81 900 to $500,
that he also has the contract for the
new Graded School building 1t is TO be
of brick SSx122 feet, two stories; also the
new Club building, handsome two-story
eight rooms Thorp & Kicks are build
ing large addition to their tobacco fac
tory, Messrs. w. l.. Petty and Co. have
bought the Graverly- Price house and have
ordered the latest improved machinery, SO
as TO be prepared to dry and press their
part of next seasons crop in first-class
order.
J. G. Braswell &c Co. are also building a
large annex to their plant.
The Rocky Mount Manufacturing Co. has
been in operation about tire months they
manufacture buggies and collins. Their
output is now something over 100 collins
and eight buggies a week They are 60
ing to enlarge their plant and put in
dry kins. W. S. Wilkinson is the presi-
dent of the company.
Mr. G. T. Mathews will soon begin the
erection of a large brick store on the
west side of Railroad street.
At a recent meeting of the stock
holders of the cotton seed oil mill and
fertilizer factory here the results of the
business up to this time proved so sat-
isfactory that it was decided to double
the capital stock and increase the BUSH
ness to twice its present capacity.
/ never come to Rocky Mount and
make trip 10 the cotton mills just mile
from town but that / am impressed with
the healthy, cleanly appearance of the
village. The streets are wide, beauti
fully shaded with pretty trees, the houses
are neatly painted and numbered, and
from what | hear the most satisfactory
and pleasant relations exist between the
employer and employees.
Mrs. G. E. Marriott, proprietor of the
Hammond Hotel has bought the large,
handsome residence directly across from
the station on West Railroad street. Ad-
ditions are to be made and the house
otherwise renovated and improved. Mrs.
Marriott expects to occupy it by the first
of December 1t will be known as the
Marriott Hotel. Beside the dining room,
parlor, office and family rooms, it will
have fifteen to sixteen comfortable new
ly furnished rooms for guests. 1t will
have an eightyfoot front veranda.
There is no reason why Rocky Mount
should not keep cool these hot days if
there is any cooling virtue in ice. There
are two ice plants here, one of about
twenty-ton capacity and one about sew
entyton. l am told by Mr.. j. W. Hines,
president of the Southern Ice Company,
that they never get out of ice, and are
always ready to fill all orders.
new industry located four miles from
Rocky Mount on the Norfolk and Caro-
lima railroad, is the Edgecombe Tile and
Brick Company After thorough in
vestigation and test it was ascertained
that there is no finer clay for the bust
ness to be found anywhere, and the in
creased demand for the excellent brick
made by the company is proof of the
quality. Their output is now from three
TO five million annually A side track
runs out from the main line directly into
the yard and cars can be conveniently
loaded. Mr.. s. Lucas is the manager of
the business. Eighteen thousand dollars
are invested in this plant. The village
is named Medora. This is the home of
Mr.. Jesse Brake. ex-member of the Leg
islature from Edgecombe Mr.. Braks is
we'll known all through this country.
man who has always lived at home and
boarded at the same place, a congenial
gentleman, with any amount of good hard
horse sense and practical ability.
Rocky Mount can boast of more increase
in population within the last ten years
than any other town of her size in the
State. The census of 1890 gives her SIG;
1900 gives her 1887, but if she was given
what she is rightly entitled to- the sub
urban villages just outside the corporate
limits she would have from five to
six thousand.
AT South Rocky Mount about half
mile from the station are the railroad
shops, which have been recently enlarged
and the force increased to twice the
former number. I am informed that al
together there are about 500 people en-
ployed by the company. 1t is at this
place that the Coast Line has erected a
hospital for their employees. 1t is a
large, handsome structure, and thorough
ly equipped with the very best and latest
improved furniture, apparatus, instru-
ments, and all other necessary conven-
fences that are to be found in any first
class institution of this class.
The physicians tell me that the health
OF the community is excellent.
The tobacco men say they will sell