The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-07-25
SALTWATER.
The "columbian" Scribe Visits the Pretty
Little Village.


Nature was indeed most grand, ev-
erything was fresh and beautiful, as
though the world were but that morn
ing made, as the Col JMBIAN repre-
sentative, seated in Bloomsbury &
Sullivan Railroad car, rode up through
the picturesque Fishlngcreek valley
last Friday morning. Being in the
early part OF the day, before Old Sol
had reached sufficient height to
make its rays distressing, the trip was
delightful. The trees were burdened
with their foliage, the hedges and the
grass were green, the gentle zephyr
swayed the branches to and fro, and
high above the musical ripping of old
Fishingcreek, the birds poured forth
their richest melody. In the more
shady spots the morning dew sparkled
on each sprig and blade of grass, and
where the slanting rays of the sun
caught them, some diamond drops
glistened brightly as in reluctance to
leave so fair world after such brief
existence.
After less than an hours ride through
this veritable dreamland, the train
pulled up to the station and the gen.
ial conductor in charge of the train
aroused the writer from the apathy
into which he ad.lapsed, by shouting
Saltwater. After a two-minutes' wait
the train continued its journey and
was soon lost to view.
After crossing the wooden bridge
the first person met was Moses Nc
Henry. With hearty grasp of the
hand he bade me welcome and made
the visit thoroughly enjoyable. We
exchanged pleasant "reminiscences OF
former days,and talked on the changes
the past twelve years have wrought.
A walk through the village revealed
many pretty homes. The houses are
substantial and quite attractive in
design. Tall, healthy looking trees
lift their heads, and spread their
branches in front of the residences,
affording a nice shade, and the scene
is one of comfort.
We were greatly surprised at the
magnitude of the Saltwater Manu-
featuring Company's plant. This firm
commenced business several years
ago with only an ordinary equipment,
but its success has been steady and
continued, until to-day it is one of the
finest plants in this section. With an
employed force of sixteen hands, the
mill is kept running day and night.
Straw paper is made principally, and
rag and manila. The capacity of the
mill is 1900 pounds in twenty-four
hours. In connection with a fine
water power, steam power is also used.
An electric plant has been placed in
the mill, by the use of which every
nook and corner of the large building
is rendered as light as day. A switch
runs along side and the product is
loaded from the door into the cars.
The paper is sold principally in car
lots and goes to New York, Chicago,
New Orleans, California, and some of
it is shipped to Cuba, Porto Rico, and
European countries. The propretors
have several hundred tons of coal on
hand so that it makes little difference
whether a strike is declared or not,
the machinery will not stop. Mr..
Wesley informed the writer that he is
buying straw and is prepared to take
care of all that comes. This industry
is good illustration of the advantages
resulting from thorough practical men
being at the head of business. Both
members of the firm, c. A. and P. D..
Wesley, are thoroughly acquainted
with every detail in the manufacture of
paper, and it is to this fact that their
success is attributed. The manufact-
ure of paper is an interesting process
and all who visit Saltwater should not
fail to go through the plant.
T. H. Edgar is the proprietor of a
large planning mill, which is kept run
ming full time, and furnishes employ
ment to quite a number of hands.
This was one of the first industries of
the place and ever since its inception,
which was easily fifteen years ago, Mr..
Edgar has been at Its head. Mr.
Edgar also contracts for dwellings and
other buildings, and many structures
of the former type stand pre-eminent
in all parts of Columbia County as
monuments of his skill and good taste.
Two other gentlemen who are meet
ing with success and which is a dis
tinct pleasure for US to note are
William J. Smith and James Geisinger.
They conduct large blacksmith and
There is more catarrh in this Sec
tion of the country than all other dis