The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-11-26

DIE purposes is the Tiger in Spartan
burg county worth s96,50O
1t is thus seen that the mills built
from 1893 to 1893 and still running
represent s7,733. .295 in Investments,
while from 1893 to 1902 the sum Of
se,258.0O9 was invested, making a
total investment in less than decade
or $40 .99l 1904, and showing at what
time Carolina awakened from her
lethargy and began to race. It is
pleasing to reflect that The State was
founded in 1891 and from the first
sang the siren song of the cotton mill
spindle. and kept it up in season and
out Of season.
"South Carolina has had cotton
mills for over half century. And
there's are some such as the Saluda fac.
tory that have dropped ont Of exist
ence. There are others, however,
still running, and doing we'll. The
Pendleton mill at Autun, Anderson
County, is entered in the official list
as having been organized in 1898; it
has its value placed at $50, 900. Then
comes the famous old Graniteville
mill organized ir l845, now being
valued at sl,oos, 900; it has never
ceased to rum
The foregoing interesting summary
by The Stcte is followed by list Of
the mills save the ninetson whose
dates could not be ascertaiued, show
ing when they began operations. Ths
mill at Autun, in Anderson County.
is reported as being organized in 1888,
and stands at the head of the list. It
was known for many years as the
"Pendleton factory" and from its
early years was owned and operated
by Col. Benz. F. Sloan, prominent
and wealthy citizen Of Pendleton. who
was the father of Col. J. B. E. Sloan,
Of Charleston Mr.. B. F. Sloan, of
Seneca, and DR.. P. n. E. Sloan, of
Clemson College. Some years after
the war company was organized with
Mr.. William Perry as the president
and manager, and it had a series of
successful years under his manage.
ment. Mr.. Perry is now citizen Of
Walhalla, and is in his 84th year.
Batesville is mentioned as being
the only mill in the world with wo.
man as the president, which is proba-
bly, true, but it is more than likely
that Batesville should also enjoy the
distinction Of being the Oldest mill
now being operated in South Carolina.
Mrs. Mary P. Gridley, of this city, is
tho Efficient president, and is at her
desk in the mill Office for three days
in the week. She succeeded to the
position upon the death of her father,
but he was not the founder Of the
mill at Batesville,, as stated by our
contemporary. Rev. Thomas Hutch
ingsI Methodist preacher, is acoredi-
ted with being the founder OF the
mill industry at that point, and his,
equipment consisted Of two spinning
frames and one loom situated in
small house on the bapl Of Rocky
creek in q beautiful and picturesaue
location, which is exceedingly attrao-
tive to-day. The house originally
used is still in fair state of preser-
walton. It is hardly ascertainable
aow as to the precise year that Mr..
Hutchias began his pioneer work, but
the facts that are known indicate that
he was several years ahead Of the
mill near Pendleton, probably in 1892.
1t is our purpose to make further
inquiry along this line, and we have
the promise Of valuable assistance at
an early date. Batesville is eleven
miles from Greenville, and bears the
neme Of Mr. VIM. Bates, who was its
owner for more chan twenty years, and
who sold it to company in 1862. He
was the father.in-law Of the late Col.
Henry P. Hammett, and has been re-
garded as among She earliest a.d most
intelligent pioneers in the mill busi-.
ness in upper South Caroline, which
in the Dos and dos had several mill
enterprises that ended in failure, as
we have learned the traditions Of those
days. Mr.. Ra.es =ss . native Of New
England. and came to this State when
quite young man.
Mrs. Gridley, the accomplished
president of Batesville, is ably assist
ed in the management Of thisvaluable
property by Mr.. John w. Baker,
whose business qualifications are re-
cognized wherever he is known. He
ia q 0e r