The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-09
ITS SALE
SEEMS SURE
The Continental Tobacco GO.
and Butler & Bosher.
REPORTED PRICE PAID
Bio Concern Said to Have Given Sl75,-
600 for -fourths Interest.
All Tobacco Men Believe
Dealis Made.

,,ersistent rumors on shockoe Slip yes
terday are to the effect that the TOBACCO
manufacturing plant Of Butler and
Bosher, in this city, has passed Into the
control of the Continental Tobacco Com
pany, or will very shortly do SO.
The very peculiar defnitness OF this latest
report In connection with the Butler fac
tory gives 1t cast among tobacco men.
For the past two years intervals OF a
few months have witnessed revivals OF
the statement that the concern had gone
into the hands OF the trust and as regu-
larry as they got abroad the rumors
we're denied. Only very recently MT. But.
lar issued fiat and positive denial OF
the truth OF ono Of these reports ana de.
ciared that he had not sold out and did
not then contemplate taking such STEP
yesterday, however, the entire tobacco
trade seemed to be discussing this fresh
development. In many instances when
the old and standing report got abroad
nobody gave much heed to 1t, but In the
present case everybody seems to nave
come to the conclusion that the thing
Il settled this time. More than a hall"
dozen tobacco men were questioned yes
terday about the matter, and the state
ments made by them all were Identical
Not one seemed to doubt that the nego-
tiations have come to q head at last.
Repeated efforts were made to reach MT.
Butler himself, but without eject. a
gentleman at the factory expressed the
opinion that the report was the same
old thing, but In the absence OF Mr.. But
Ter he could not speak positively. To some
OF the tobacco men the very fact that
Mr.. Butler is not at home was taken to
be significant. 1t was stated yesterday
that he was in New York. or had been
there. in consultation with reference TO
the transfer.
In the opinion of some OF the tobacco
men who were discussing the matter
yesterday. the sale has already been.
made. This. however, was a matter OF
mere speculation, All seemed to agree
that whether completed or not, the deal
was in progress.
S AS stated above, one thing which gives
cast to the rumors. is the peculiar definit-
ness with which they come. There Is not
simply a. bald assertion that the plant is
about to be sold, but the very, details
are given It is stated for Instance. that
the Continental obtains control OF three
fourths interest in the concern. and that
Mr.. Butler holding the remaining fourth
will have the management OF the factory
Sfor the trust.@aTThe price paid by the
Continental for It's share Is fixed at s175.-
900 which is said to be an excellent
figure. This three-fourths interest
scheme. it is further stated, is one fire.
quently adopted by the big trust. Tlla
great Reynolds plant in North Carolina
is run on this basis.
Nothing is said about the Patterson fac
tory, which. with Butler and Bosher, was
sold out periodically by the gossips.
Hitherto the two firms have been con-
nected In the rumors In almost every
instance. but so far as Is know the latest
does not include the Patterson factory
A FINE PLANT.
In some quarters yesterday the report
ed sale of Butler and Bosher caused a
distinct feeling Of depression. 1t would
mean the removal of another OF the fast
disappearing group OF Independent fac
tories which are serving to maintain the
general trade just now. Coming on the
heels OF the Williams deal, 1t carried
with 1t all the more significance.
The Butler plant is one of the most
hourishing; In the, city Through the un-
firing efforts Of Mr.. A. st. Clair Butler.
who holds the, great bulk OF the stock,
It has built up trade, the quality of
which Ia we'll designed to tempt even
the great Continental Tobacco Company.
1t was estimated yesterday that the bus
iness OF the concern pays profit of
sixty per cent. For several years past 1t
has filled the contract for the United
States navy, itself a plum OF no mean
prder. Besides this 1t manufactures yearly
vome three or four hundred thousand
pounds OF tobacco, which is sold In New
England. Another three or four thousand
Is sold locally. The best known domestic
brands of the campony are "Manaola,'
"Old Peach" Buffers Fancy Chew
and so on.
The concern has been in existence {
number of years, For some time It wa.
run under the firm name of Butler ant
Wilson, and the Butler and Bosher. III
present name. When Mr., Bosher died hi
partner absorbed his interest and assumed
'lntire control of the factory About tw