The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-10
PIONEERS OF ARTISANS
Manufacturers in the Early Days of
the Capital City.
Factories Established in the Open
ing Days of the Past Century-In-
aHEuration of n Contest Against
Invasions of European Workshops.

The history of the early manufacturing
industry in Washington and of its pro-
nloters who have long since passed from
among the living is a matter dear to the
heart of the Oldest Inhabitants of our
Capital City. One of the earliest estab-
lishments of industry here was Wilson e.
Handy's mandatory of furniture, estab-
lished in December, 1900. and located on
New Jersey Avenue. between the Epis-
copal Church and the Sugar House. The
proprietors expressed their confidence
that they should be able to give general
satisfac ion from the experience they had
in the principal shops in Europe and
America. The articles made by this firm
were secretary desks, portable writing
desks, chests, card tables, etc.
nail factory was established about
February l, 1901. on F Street, where all
kinds of cut nails were made. John Min
chen moved his shoe factory from Phil
adelphia to Washington about this time,
locating near the Eastern Branch, and
afterward on New Jersey Avenue, near
the Capitol.
In April, 1902. Benjamin Henchey gave
notice that he would exhibit his new
mode OF obtaining light in a variety OF
thermo lamp, commencing the next FRI
day evening after the 14th day OF the
month, and continuing until May Is. at
Mr.. Thompson's new brick house on Penn
sYlrania Avenue. Tickets were 81. which
would admit one gentleman twice or
lady and gentleman once.
Joel Brown, in 1903. established himself
in Washington as a manufacturer of
hats, anc in February, 1904, removed TO
Georgetown. In February. 1906. Evan
Evans advertised for sale an improved
straw cutter at his house between the Six
Buildings and the Potomac. He forms.
said the advertisement. 1.-THE steel OF this
machine aslant SO as to cut off the straw
a an angle of twenty-five and a half de-
grees. which makes it cut much easier
than at right angles" Oliver Evans of
Philadelphia. was the maker.
On June l., 1903, the Mayor of Wash
ington. Robert Brent. called meeting of
citizens of Washington at Steele's Hotel
for the 2lst of the month, for the purpose
OF taking into consideration the eXpedien-
cy of organizing plan for the encourage
ment OF domestic manufactures. Mr..
Brent was himself elected chairman of
this meeting and John Law secretary.
Samuel II. Smith offered series of reso-
lutions, which were in substance as fol-
lows: That at a time when our rights
are trampled upon with unprecedented
audacity and injustice by the belligerent
nations of Europe, il becomes the duty of
the people either to make sacrifices for
their country or to unfold their energies,
and that whether peace or war should
come it is the duty of the people to make
themselves independent of the workshops
of Europe; that it is the duty of all sec
lions of the Union to encourage the estab-
lishment and extension OF domestic man
ufsctures; that the city of Washington
for various reasons, is eminently fitted
for attaining manufacturing importance
and that plan should be reported to a
subsequent meeting" A committee was
appointed and authorized to call another
meeting when they were ready to report.
This committee was composed of Samuel
II. Smith, Cornelius Cunningham, A Cut
Ting. George Blagden, Butler Cooke. and
Robert Brent.
The adjourned meeting was held in ac-
cordance with the call of the committee,
which reported articles OF associa tion for
the Columbia Manufacturing Company.
There were nine articles adopted. The
first declared that the object Of the asso-
ciatiCn was 10 carry on the manufacture
Of cotton, wool hemp and fax. aud to
promote such other domestic manuflc-
second article provided that the capital
stock OF the company should be $50, 900. to
be raised by subscription. shares 10 be
worth SIS each. and the books to be OPP
ened on August l. that year. AS soon as
FIVE hundred shares should be subscribed
a meeting was to be called for the purpose
OF devi5ing plan for conducting the bust
ness III five hundred shares should not
be subscribed within six months from the
time Of opening The books. then the money
which had been subscribed should Ge re-
turned. Application was 10 be made to
Congress for the incorporation Of the COM
pary. The chairman of the meeting, Rob
art Brent. was authorized 10 appoint nine
comm Issioners to receive subscriptions
three from Washington. three from Alex
andrla and three from Georgetown. The
commissioners from Washington we're
william Cranch. William Brent and
George Biagdcn. The books were opened
August !, 1868. at the Office - 'i'a -lerk
os the Circuit Court.
On the Nth Of Fe0-;'- 3. 1869. John
Gardiner coDgratnlc.c@ sls commissioners