Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-03-26
A Little Industrial History.


While William and Warren Mann were
running the gristmill between 1856 and
1865, the old carding mill, which still
stands back OF the gristmill and is now
used as storehouse, was purchased by ii.
Il. Sharpe, who put in a lathe and machin-
cry for turning and planning, thereby
establishing the first woodworking bust
ness in Randolph.
Previous to this time there had been no
machinery in town for such work, and
the advantages in having shop where 1t
could be done very soon became apparent.
Mr.. Sharpe turned out the posts in the
vestry OF the Christian church and did the
interior finishing OF the house which X. T..
Dubois erected on South Main street, as
well as that of several others about town.
In 1866 the late Franklin b. Salisbury
began the manufacture OF furniture in this
mill and occupied II for two years. Then
his brother, Thomas, and his son, William
f., entered into partnership with him and
a new factory was erected ON the site OF
the present plant. The building was de-
stroyed by fire in 1880, but in the spring of
1881, Mr.. Salisbury commenced the cree
tion OF second factory, more extensive
than the first, whose completion, however,
he did not live to see. Upon his death,
May "A, 1881, his sons, Albert =. and Her
bert B., who were both employed by their
father, took the work into their own
hands, finished the building and contin-
ued the business successfully until 1881,
when Albert died.
The Younger brother, Edgar t., then
became member of the firm Of Salisbury
Brothers. and the company was ineorpor-
ated the following year. The mill is
widely known for the chamber furniture
which it manufactures and supplies many
wholesale firms in all parts of the country.
1t has been run continuously since its
start on sound business principles and has
been OF inestimable value to the business
interests of the village.
In the spring of 1866, Charles f. Abbott,
an architect and builder, who was born IN
Braintree and returned to this vicinity
from the West in 1850, conceived the idea
OF building a mill for the making OF sash,
doors and inside finishing. He associated
with him in the enterprise b. Il. Buxton
and Charles +. Wyman, but before they
commenced operations Mr.. Wyman sold
out to the other two.
A mill, 30xl0 feet, was constructed, with
engine, boiler, chimney, ETC., and a force
of five or six men employed Ihat tail
Horace NJ. Nichols bought out Mr.. Bux-
ton, and the firm became &. T.. Abbott a
Co. and SO continued until 1870 or "a,
when Mr.. Nichols sold his interest to Mr..
Abbott, who ran il alone for the next SIX
years.
In 1871, Mr.. Abbott was forced to sus-
pend through the failure of a party, Tor
whose financial backing he had become
responsible, but after time compromised
with his creditors and started in again.
Being, however, in somewhat straitened
circumstances, through his losses. he sold
the mill in 1850 to A. W. Tewksbury q
Sons and became their manager, remaining
as such until the failure Of chat tirm IN
| 1895.
Through all these changes the mill
steadily increased in importance and de-
veloped its lines Of business until from 40
10 rs men were employed, and the man
agement had a standing order from Bos-
ton for all the doors that could be manu-
featured The capacity OF the mill in the
meantime had increased until l25 doors
were turned out daily, besides sash, blinds
and fancy furnishings. For its beautiful
wood the establishment won an
enviable reputation and to it was entrusted
the interior finish of many of the public
buildings in Montpelier, including the
insurance offices, banks and opera house.
To accommodate the increasing bust
ness the building itself was enlarged TO ITS
present dimensions, 52x130 feet, and was
made three stories high.
For some time after the failure OF 1870,
the mill stood idle awaiting purchaser
but was finally sold to the present propri-
/ etors, The r. +. Emerson Co., under whose
management it is sustaining the traditions
/ of its past and giving promise OF becoming
/ in the future more and more a valuable
factor in this part of the industrial world