The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1904-06-16
FINE MILL IMPROVEMENTS,
An Up-to-Date Plant.

A little mora than dozen years age
the present site of the Scotland Mech
Cotton Mills was an open field, grown
up in broom-sedge, on the eastern
suburb of Scotland Neck. Now it IL
the, centre of large hosiery manufacture
and shows many signs OF wonderful
improvement. The frog-pond like de.
preston near the mills has been filled
in and pretty shade trees are growing
in well-set order, and the place begins
to take on quite an inviting appearance.
If Mr.. B. Davidson, OF Gibsonville,
who came here and laid the founda-
lions for the mill, could see it now he
would be convinced that there is pro-
gressive spirit here. As it may be re-
mem bered the stock company which
was first organized was designed to op.
crate cotton mill, spin yarns, but the
plan was changed later and the COM
pany has never manufactured any
thing but knit goods.
The mill was opened about January,
1891. It's first output was one hundred
and twenty-five dozen hose per day,
and twenty-five dozen underwear. The
plants output now in full force is be-
tween eight hundred and a thousand
1ozen hose per day and one hundred
and twenty-five dozen underwear. The
plant commenced operations on about
twenty five thousand dollars, but now
Is worth one hundred and twenty
thousand dollars.
Several times there have been
changes and improvements in the way
If adding new machinery and enlarge
ment of the plant; but recently there
has been most marked change in all
the parts of the plant. Within the
last ninety days they haye spent as
much as twelve thousand dollars in
improved machinery and new electric
plant. The entire plant is now run by
electricity. The engine room as en-
larged and improved is one of the
prettiest in all the country. It is now
6Ox25 feet and is filled with the most
modern electric and power appliances,
which is all run by one hundred and
seventy-five horse power.
The electric plant furnishes power
to run the entire plant day and night
If necessary and also furnishes electric
lights for the mill.
It is one OF the most modern mills
in all the country, North or South.
Every machine in the mills is new and
full automatic. The goods which are
turned out from this mill are frst-class
and find ready sale even before they
are manufactured. Of course there
are some larger plants, but there are
few as we'll equipped and none better.
The Improvements which have been
made In the mills for the past three
months would surprise most people
who live here in town within hearing
of the whistle every day. The great
improvement and fine work of the mill
are due to the energy and push of the
superintendent, Mr.. A. Mcdowell, and
the secretary and treasurer, Mr.. J. S.
Bowers.
The institution is worth great deal
to the community, its payroll being
between eight hundred and thousand
dollars per week. That means nearly
fifty thousand dollars a year turned
loose in Scotland Neck and communi-
ty through this one enterprise.
When we come to consider the re-
suit in all its bearings THE COMMON
WEALTH is glad to revert to it's files and
find the strongest logic it could employ
some thirteen years ago in a plea tor
the establishing of this enterprise. 1t
is indeed worth much to the commu-
nifty and every person here should feel
glad of its success and of its continued
improvement and enlargement.