The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-03
BIRD'SEYEVIEW0F
STATES PROGRESS
What the Editors of North Carolina Have to Saw
of Their Progressive Homes and
Communities.

of the lights, which is quite an item for
all concerned.
High Point has inaugurated three or four
new factories during 1903 Two of these
are new industries in the South The silk
mill which was completed in July is work
ing a large force of hands and getting
out splendid line of goods. This mill
belongs to Stehli & Co. of New York, and
is the only factory in High Point in which
there is not home capital. The owners
did not ask it. The girls that went into
this mill six months ago with no expert
ence are doing we'll and the manager told
me this week that so well satisfied was he
that he would increase the capital of the
plant shortly.
Another plant of great note is the South
ern Car Works for the manufacture of cleo
tric street cars This is the only plant OF
its kind South of Wilmington, Della, and
east of the Mississippi river. The entire
plant is of brick with cement floor and
covers over an acre of ground. 1t is sim
liar to a round house, with tracks and
pits, but much larger. The manager, Mr..
E. r. Briggs, is from Amisburg, Mass,
and is man of practical experience, hav-
ing been associated with his uncle and
brother in this line of work for many
years The capital of the company is
100000 and will likely be increased dur
ing 1904. Mr.. Briggs tells me that the
fatcory will start up Monday and will
employ large number of hands.
The North Carolina Wheel Company is
another new plant for the year, having
begun work in August This plant en-
braces two we'll equipped buildings and
makes carriage and buggy wheels. These
goods have taken readily with the best
manufacturers of the country and the fac
tory has bright future
Not only these and smaller plants have
been erected during the year, but many
of the older companies here have enlarg-
ed their plants The Kearns Furniture
Company, Columbia Furniture Company,
High Point Veener Company, Welch Fur
niture Company, Eagle Furniture Com
pany, Snow Furniture Company, Globe
Home Furniture Company, Southern Chair
Company, Rankin Coffin and Casket Com
pany, have all made improvements dur
ing tie year.
High Point just now is striking a bal
ance sheet, so to speak, and from what
can be gathered there will be several fac
tories built during 1904 OF course all
factories are built by home capital, most
altogether, hence nothing is definitely
known until the business of the past year
is closed up. However, enough is known
now tc say that there will be two more
woodworking plants and two for the man
ufacture of cotton garments.
The town has been steadily building
during the year, and the only time for
ten years, that building did not cease in
winter During the past few months hand
some buildings have been erected on Main
street.-the Elwood Hotel, postoffice, the
j. c.. Welch block and others, until the
towns business centre is credit. Fine
residences are constantly going up. Dur.
ing 1903 homes have been erected by M.
]. Wrenn, A. NJ. Rankin, DR.. J. r. Rut-
zel,, Ohas Regan, G. II. Kearns, d. l..
Clark land others. These are among the
best, while Mr. Wrenn's palatial home on
the site of the old college is one of the
handsomest in the State. 1t is the exact
type of Mr.. Raney's at Raleigh, and was
erected at a cost of $25, 900.
Municipal affairs are progressing. Dur
ing the year High Point has put in a wa
ter plant and sewerage at cost of $125,-
600 and erected a school auditorium at
a cost of $4,000. During the year 1904
I8$75, 900 will be spent on the streets and
another graded school building will be
erected at cost of $4,000. The bonds
for these additional improvements have
been voted on.
The Manufacturers Club recently or
ganized, is ready to open the doors of the
handsome club rooms. in the second floor
| Of the new Welch building. The roms have
| recently been furnished at cost of So, ,000
The membership comprises the leading
business men of the community and the
organization promises to be helpful in a
social and business way.
While High Point is furniture centre
it must be remembered that there are di-
versified industries also. The manufac-
ture OF cotton and woolen garments is car
ned on to great extent The High Point
Pants Company, Lawn Trouser Company,
and Carolina Manufacturing Company,
and High Point Overall Company, own
large plants here that do business over
the south and west.
The tobacco factory of w. P. Pickett
& Company, one of the Oldest and one of
the best in the South. has grown to be an
enormous plant of 100000.
The future of the town seems bright in
| deed.
| j. j. FARRISS,
| Editor High Point Enterprise