davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

of, the mill village was laid off in che
original forest, where a modern and
model town has been built with broad
streets 100 feet wide, running north,
south, east and west, the village being
located on the Cape Fear and North
ern Railway, the termination OF which
5 Dunn on the east, while the link
from Apex to Durham, giving a
through line to Durham. will be COM
pleted by the first of December. This
model mill town was given the name
Of Duke"
In the brief season since the estab-
lishment of the mill village, in Har-
1ett, it is now found that one of the
most substantial and best appointed
brick factory building in the country,
has been erected, this covering 3 So by
1853 feet, the carding and spipning
building being two stories amt Westv-
ng and beaming etc. being one story.
with saw tooth construction, taking
light from the north giving the best
advantages in the handling of raw ma
terial from the time it enters the
picker till the manufactured goods are
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

ayers have for years taken the keen
est interest in the education of the
boys and girls refusing at all times
from the standpoint of principle to
work any under twelve years of age,
and the management has from the be
ginning of this industry which has
proven so successful, that the entire
State may be we'll proud of this en-
tcrpr&e been able to say that tho
men were always on their good beha-
viour and the women without re-
prOach. Mr.. w. \. Erwin. the secre-
tary and treasurer of these mills, and
upon whose shoulders the active man
agement devolves. is cordially backed
up in al his efforts to make and keep
the mills the best IT, the land by
Mess! s. p. n. Duke, the president, and
George w. Watts. vice-p president and
the members OF the board of directors.
Adding Links to TIE Chain.
In 1899, MI w. A. Erwin was given
the management of the Durham Cot
ton Manufacturing Company and
Pearl Cotton Mills, which work over
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

the signs multiply that of the South
ern States il is TO stand as the leader
in many lines. The unnatural loca-
ton of the manufacturing industry of
America cannot continue. During the
days preceding the civil war and with
the advent of the cotton gin the
farmer and his kindred interests in
the South could make SUCH enormous
profits by the raising of cotton that
they did not care to engage in manu-
featuring. and this is partly response
bic for the establishment of the man
ufacturing industry of the country in
the Northeast. but with the changes
i'm conditions brought by the result OF
the war the South began to give more
attention TO manufacturing, finding
that as the result OF our mild climate
and fertile soil operatives can live
cheaper, machinery will last longer,
and the raw material is right at hand
i'm abundance.
The rapid strides of North Carolina
i'm the cotton mill industry has aroused
the admiration of the nation, and To-
day the State has in it more cotton
mills than ANY other Southern State, the
products of these having a world VIDE
distribution, and their management
being regarded as ideal ones wherever
labor conditions are studied. Rank
ing among the highest of these mills
i'm the State and in the South arc a
cluster of seven mills, the active man
aGcment and control of these mills at
Durham, Duke, Cooleeme, Morganton
and oxford being in the hands of Mr..
William A. Erwin, genius III the cot
ton mill Industry, who mas become
pre-eminent for the splendid religious.
educational and general philanthroplc
work he does i'm connection with the
mills he manages and cont OILS, his
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

500 people. The Durham Cotton
Manufacturing Mills contains $4,000
spindles and 500 looms. manufactur-
ing fine ginghams. chHmbrays and
domets, and the Pearl Mills located
in Durham with II 0OD spindles and
240 looms, manufacturing exclusively
wide sheetings. The secretary and
treasurer of these mills is Col. !.
Harper Erwin. a brother of NJ w. A.
Erwin.
In 1901 Mr.. Erwin was TiVen charge
Of the Cooleemee Cotton Nils, these
located in Davie county, "n the North
Carolina Midland railway, between
Winston and Charlottn. AMI twelve
and one-half miles fr"m Salisbury.
This mill he improved and increased
in size and it now hold. 10000 spin
dlcs and 1896 looms, manufacturing
cotton hannels notified ""nuels, tick
ings. cottonades and domets. Here
500 people are employed. Mr.. i. ".
Terrell being the secretary and treas
urer
Ihe Alpine Cotton Mills located at
Morganton, of 10000 spindles. manu-
Continued on Page Twenty three.)t
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

which is named Duke" in honor of
Mr.. b. n. Duke, the president Of the
company, now holds more than 1,5OG
souls. In twelve months, there viii
nc four churcnes. a Methodist church
already having been completed and an
Episcopal church now being con-
structed., The material for & Bap-
fist chuHch is now being hauled. and
a lot has been chosen TCr a PresDY-
terrain church. The streets Of the
town are lighted electrically a we'll
appointed brick market house, with
refrigerators and ice house affords the
people the accommodation seldom
found Of fresh meats and vegetables
at moderate prices throughout the en-
tire year. From this description it
tWill be seen that al who labor 10
turn cotton into manufactured goods
have more than usual encouragement
to work with ready mind and willing
hands. not only for their own sup
port. but for the interest of III COM
pany which has done so pHuch for
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

souls. hearts and minds Of the peo-
pie.
This much has been written here of
Mr. Erwin in order to give an idea of
the conditions which surround the
various mills he controls, IN which
there are manufactured many classes
of goods no two mills producing the
same kind, while all the weaving mills
are on varied line of colored fabrics,
more difficult to manufacture and en-
ploying more skill and capital than
the plain white goods, a capital of
about $5.000.000 being employed in
the conduct of the seven mills, lhcSS
being the Erwin Cotton Mill NO. /, al
Durham the Erwin Cotton Mill No. 2
at Duke, in Harnett county; The Dur
ham Cotton Manufacturing Company
at Durham; the Pearl Cotton Mills, at
Durham; the Alpine Cotton Mills, a.
Morganton; the Cooleeme Cotton Mills
at Cooleeme, and the oxford Cotton
Mills at Oxford.
\ Million Dollars Year.
At these mills there are employed
more than 5000 people, and there is
annually used from $4,000 to 0.0CO
bales of cotton with an annual pay
roll of about $1,000,000. notable
feature being that at all these mills
are paid off once each week i'll cash.
there being no orders and no store
bills Each employee gets the cash in
hand, does trading to suit himself and
knows exactly how he stands with the
world.
/ The products of the mills are han
died over wide range of territory in
this county, in Canada and in foreign
lands. the foreign shipments, going
principally to China. The Class OF
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

goods made are of the very best and
find ready sale. satisfaction being the
rule with al who handle the goods
made in the Erwin chain Of mills.
The wide range of sales is clearly in
Dictated by shipments during the past
week, which have gone TO dry goods
jobbers, cotton goods conyerters.
overall manufacturers oil cloth manu-
facturers, shirt manufacturers, un-
derwear manufacturers, night shirt
and pajama manufacturers shoe find
ers, ticking finders. rubber manufac-
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12
THE ERWIN CHAIN
OF COTTON MILLS
William A. Erwin, the Splendid Controlling Spiri
Has Done Great Work.

Splendid ability giving him 6 com
handing position among the Sou.h's
textile workers.
Ability ard Great Heart.
Inc position and influence Of Mr.
Erwin have come to him because of
his ability and his great heart
Wherever he locates a mill there he
sees 10 it that a school house is erect
ed and funds provided for d school,
that churches are built and rtinisters
secured and that the employees in the
mills have comfortable homes and OPP
portunities for social life. He has
arranged for night schools al1 cook
ing schools also, and in his -TCrk III
cotton milling he was one of the first
men in the State to reduce the hours
of work from twelve to eleven hours
a day, while some twenty years ago
he stopped working children under
twelve years of age, which the Legs
lature of North Carolina. prohibited
only two years ago. He is most &C
tive i'm building up a moral atmos-
phere in his mill communities. abso-
lutely and persistently refusing to al
low any parties of questionable char
acter to work at any of his mills. He
is ever on the alert in providing for
the mill operatives those things that
care for the bodies as well as the
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

here it is that Mr.. Erwin makes his
headquarters, his home being in West
Durham. The Erwin Cotton Mills
Company was incorporated IN the year
1892, in Durham county, and a most
beautiful and appropriate spot was
selected for its location, one and one
ham. The officers OF the mill from
the time of its Organization are the
present officers: MIR. r. N. Duke,
president; Mr.. George w. Watts. vice.
president, and Mr. w. A. Erwin.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

Ished reputation as making a fabric
second TO none I'm the United states.
These goods find outlet mainly in the
North: and Northwest, where they
come directly in competition with the
New England mills and have success
fully held their own demanding the
highest prices In fact. | found upon
Investigation that the product OF TINS
mill often goes almost 10 lie door OF
New England mills, whose regulations
arc worthwhile and are solo right
there in connection with them. 1t &c
this class Of mills that has forged
their wav 10 the front in oar South
land and forced the great kindred
industrial enterprises in New England
to respcct competitors from the South
and even to seek this part OF the land
IL themselves build mills more moi
ern than they were running III New
England.
\ New AiiIi is Built.
In 1895 the capital of the company
vas increased and the size Of the mill
doubled to hoId 25,0D0 spindles ana
LOCO looms. Almost every year Re.E
and improved machines llaYg oeth du-
dcd and thc equipment has htsH icrt
dp 10 .be verv highest point OF eX-
cellence known 10 modern Iai .chlilety
builders In zoos! the Erwin Cot
ton Mills Companv's charter vas
amended. its capital increa9eo TO w.
050,000 common and preferred STOCK
and Immediately a healthlui location
was selected in FIarnett county one
and one-haIf miles west OF t!c cape
Fear river and near the ora I0Wh or
ANerasbOro, in that county "ite
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

turers, bag manufacturers. insulated
wire manufacturers, lining r1anufac-
turers, shade cloth manufacturers, de-
partment stores, printers ana bleach
erS.
In the financial world no mills
stand higher, and while in Durham
lately saw a telegram from a large
Northern financial institution offering
any amount of money desired with
out any security whatever. This is
confidence we'll placed and is but cited
as an instance to show that the
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

secretary and treasurer. The board
of directors consist of these gentle
men and Messrs. j" E. Stage and w.
r. O'Brien, and the members of the
board of directors. for the most part,
own the stock of the mill.
The mill was butt and equipped for
the manufactured findigo blue denims
and .camlets, which, up to this time,
had never been successfully manufac-
tured in the South, but which this
mill, employing~the most skilful help,
and by persistent effores, has estab-
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

splendid business management of Mr..
Erwin has put the mills on the high
est financial position possible to be
obtained.
Splendid business Men.
A brief description of the mills ana
of he conditions which exist in the
mill communities viii be Of Interest
and of these l begin with the Erwin
Cotton Mills Company in Durham, as
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12

The future of the South il manu-
featuring is not a problemdtical one
at all. for the trend of events, the al
most daily happenings, point the way
To primacy in industrial development
as surely as the sun gives warmth and
the rivers flow to the sea.
The natural advantages of North
Carolina makes this State peculiarly
inviting field for manufacturing, and
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12
THE SEVEN MILLS

The Primary Of North Carolina in Cot
ton Manufacturing is Indicated by
the Work of the Seven Mills Under
Mr.. William A. Erwin's Manage
ment, These at Durham, Duke. Nor
canton, cooleeme and Oxford, Where
He Controls More Looms and Spin
dies Than Any Other Man in the
State.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
Railroad Chartered.

The johnson City, Bakersville and
Southern Railway Co. has been char
tered under the laws of Tennessee by
VIM. L. Uptegrove and associates.
Mr.. Uptegrove owns thousands of acres
of timber lands in Unicoi county in
the Limestone Cove and is now opera
ting fifteen miles of railroad from Uni
col through Limestone Cove almost to
Bakersville. The road will be extend
ed further east and several car loads Of
rail is now en- route for that purpose.
The line from Unicoi to this city will
be built later if the business justifies it.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
Uptown Depot.

The South and Western railway has
arranged with the johnson City Trac-
ton Co. for the establishment of an
uptown depot for the reception of
freight. The Traction Co. will build
depot at the plant on Roam street
and all freight for the S. & W. will be
received and receipted for there dur
ing the dayand delivered in the after
noon to the s. & W. depot over the car
line. This will be a great convenience
to shoppers, particularly the iobbers,
as they will save the long wagon haul
over bad roads.
The street cars are now running reg.
ularly to the depot and passengers in
tending to take trains must go to the
Carnegie station as they will not stop
at Market street hereafter. This will
be great accommodation to the trav-
cling public as 1t will avoid the tedious
waits in the open air at Market street.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
Around The World.

On the nth of March, st Patricks
day, the school children are to be given
"Trip Around the World. They
will leave the corner of Roam street and
Watauga Avenue at 8 and Z o'clock anb
visit the following countries:
United States-Residence of Mrs. s.
W. Wilson 2O7 Watauga Ave.
Japan-Residence of Mrs. 7. V. Nc
Gown 105 Unaka Ave.
China-Residence of Mrs. E. G.
Baldwin 10 Watauga Ave.
Germany-Residence of Mrs. W. W.
Dicky 101 Roam Street.
Indian Villiage-Residence of Mrs.
j. M. Buck 10 Watauga Ave.
Guides will be furnished if desired.
A 20 cent ticket will admit you to all
and entitle you to lunch in each coun'
try.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
In Honor of W. ]. and Mrs. Barton.

Mr.. and Mrs. j. W. Cardwell enter
tanned with supper Thurday evening.
Those present were; Mr.. and Mrs. w.
]. Barton, Mr.. and Mrs. J. A. Car
gille, Mr.. and Mrs. A. T. Hoss, Mrs.
W. R. Rhea and Mrs. Will Hoss, OF
Birmingham, Ala. The supper, con-
sisting of six courses, was tastefully
served and much enjoyed by all pres.
emit.
Friday evening DR.. and Mrs. j. g.
King entertained the teachers of Sci
ence Hill in honor of Mr.. and Mrs W.
J. Barton. Those present were: Prof.
Pence and sister, Miss Mary, Misses
Reeves, Simpson and Yoakley ant
Mr.: and Mrs. W. J. Barton.
Monday evening MIR. and Mrs. j. A.
Cargille entertained. Those presen
we're: Mrs. and Mrs. W. J. Barton
Mrs. j. W. Cardwell, Mrs. W. r
Rhea and DR.. and Mrs. !. @. King
Mrs. Cargille is delightful hostess
and her lovely house is perfect in ever
respect for an ideal social function
The evening was much enjoyed.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
Your Friends,
Summers-Parr0tt Hardware Company.

VIM, May, of Jonesboro, was visiting
on the creek Sundsy.
Solomon Hylton died Of heart dis
ease last Sunday.
There will be preaching at the Breth-
rem church next Sunday.
Erwin Mettetal, who was accidentally
shot in johnson City last Tuesday was
buried at Knob Greek Thursday,
The school ct Columbian Institute
gave an entertainment Friday night.
David Denny arm T. @. Garst were
in Jonesboro Monday.
VIM. Boy, the Bristol picture man,
was in this neighborhood last week.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
Boone's Creek Notes.

D. J, Hickman, salesman for the
Cox Hat Co., spent Sunday with his
family.
There is a great deal of sickness in
our neighborhood at present.
Albert Hankal and Emory Holt, Of
Sullivan county, visited Mr.. Hankal's
parents here Saturday and Sunday.
Miss Elsie Hickman is visiting in
Johnson City.
George Naff, of Johnson City, was a
visitor on the creek recently.
@. @. Cox was in johnson City last
Tuesday on business.
Miss Mary white and DR.. S. J. Bow
man, who have been attending q Bible
class at Daleville, Va, returned home
last Tuesday.
| John Wine, A. G. Bowers and Robt
White were il johnson City on bust
ess Tuesday.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
JUDGE REAGAN DEAD.
Sole Serving Member of Confederate
Cabinet

Sole Serving Member of Confederate
Cabinet
Huston Tex, March 6.-Judge John
H. Reagan, sole surviving member Of
the Confederate Cabinet, died at Pales-
tine Tex, this morning ,age S6 years,
of pneumonia.
Because of his advanced age the death
Of Judge Reagan was not unexpected.
He was in this city on Thursday trans
acting business. When he returned
home the family physician was called
in, Judge Reagan complaining Of
trouble in his lungs. On Sunday it
was known that pneumonia had set in,
and Judge Reagan grew rapidly worse.
Gathered in the death chamber were
his wife and daughters and VIM. Green
wood, his son-in-law.
Hundreds of kilograms of coincidence
are being received here from all paats
of the United States.
The funeral will take place at Pales.
tine Wednesday afternoon,
John II. Reagan was the last survi
wing member Of the Confederate Cabi
net, he having held the Postmaster
Generals portfolio. After the civi
war he was elected District Judge il
Texas and he became power in tn
counsels of the Democracy of Texas.
He was elected to the United State
Senate and served with distinction il
that body. After retiring from tn
Senate Judge Reagan was appointe'
Chairman of the State Railroad Com
mission.
During the last few years he retire
from active political life and lived o.
his farm near Palestine. At the tim
of his death he was engaged in writin
an autobiography of himself.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09

Though dark Gethseffiane rolls on the way;
II thou but lead, I'm not afraid"
I'll meekly follow, follow Thee
81 hate to die" but if Thou lead me on,
I'll cross deaths stream triumphant on the
way;
II Thou but lead, I'm ready now"
I'll meekly follow, follow Thee
Il m ready now" if Thou but lead me,
Though agony and death Turk on the way;
II Thou but lead, I'm ready now"
I'll meekly follow, follow Thee.
Come quickly, Lord-for Thou hast lead me
on,
And taught me face Deaths terrors on the
the way:
since Thou doth lead. "CoEe quickly, Lord"
I'll meekly follow, follow Thee,
Good bye Dear ones, for He who leads me
on,
Once suffered death to cheer me on the way:
Good bye, dear ones; well meet Bgain."
O. Lord, meelzly follow Thee.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
ANNUAL MEETING.
E. 7. & W. N. c. Stockholders Well
Pleased With YEARS. Business.

u. L. q W. Ne Y. STOCKHOLDERS Well
Pleased With YEARS. Business.
The annual meeting of the stock
holders of the L. I. & w. N. @. Ry.
Co. was held in the Offices Of the COM
pany in this city Wednesday at ten
O'Clock. Mr.. John s. Wise, Secretary
and Treasurer, and Mr.. f. P. Howe, of
Philadelphia, were present represent
ing the eastern shareholders. O, @.
Taylor, j. G. Campbell and George W.
Hardin were the only Tennessee stock
holders present, but 1918 shares of the
51O1 were represented. G. G. Taylor
presided and John s. Wise acted as
secretary, The reports of the superin-
tendent and the directors we're read
and were received with great deal of
satisfaction by the shareholders. The
year 1904 has been the most prosperous
in the history of the road, the net earn
ings amounting to more than $65, 900.
1t was SHOWN by Supt. Hardin's re-
port that the work Of laying the third
rail to Elizabethton was about COM
pleted and that within sixty days stan
dard gauge cars could be operated be-
tween johnson City and Elizabethton.
The railroad company will purchase
from the Cranberry Coal & Iron Co.
the railroad from the state line to Gran
berry with necessary ground at Elk
Park and Cranberry for terminals, etc.,
and the Cranberry Inn. For this pur-
pose and to pay $3.50, 1000 bonds matur-
ing in Nov, 1905, the company will
issue 100000 in bonds. A meeting
will be held in May to take necessary
steps to make the transfer.
The following directors were elected
and the meeting adjourned: R. F.
Hoke, Frank Firmstone, John s. Wise,
Fl. M. Howe, Calvin Pardee, Mahlon
Pitney, F. P. Howe.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
Field Seeds.

Any country merchant or farmer can
sit down in his home and write us how
much field seeds and other things of
the best quality he needs and we will
mail him memorandum showing the
exact amount of the bill based on our
special low cash prices and await his
instructions. Shipments Of eggs and
other produce taken to account at high
est market prices on day of ar
rival at Nashville. No order or ship
ment is too small to receive our best
attention. Nashville Produce Co.,
1879 tt j. j. ODIL, Manager.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09

Miss Mary Garter entered school at
Boone's Creek Seminary last Monday.
Last Sunday Rev. II. @. Garst prach-
ed an able sermon at Snider's Chapel.
Mr.. and Mrs. G. G. Hale spent Sun
day visiting Mr.. Morley and family.
Mr.. and Mrs. d. B. Hale are visit
ing Mrs. Hale's parents at Bluff City.
Wiley Crouch, who is attending school
in Bristol, visited friends here Sun.
day.
Mr.. Burton, of Elizabethton, visit.
ed the family of G. W. McFall.
Granville Green is preparing to
build dwelling house.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
Railroad Notes.

The s. & W. people have an engin-
eer corps at work from johnson
City south making map of the line.
Other corps are at work on the line be-
tween here and Kingsport and in
the mountains beyond Spruce Pine.
1t IS reported here that VIM. Ritter
is Interested in the purchase of the s.
& w. with the Seaboard directors. 1t
is also stated that the Southern has Of
fered them a million dollars profit up
on the deal.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
Furnace Purchased.

The Cranberry Coal and Iron Coz
has purchased the Carnegie furnace
and acreage from the v. 1. @. & g. Go.
The furnace has been operated under q
lease for two years in the nature of an
option and the company decided in
January to take the property, The pa
pers passed last week. The plant will
be operated as heretofore and it is moi
impossible that an additional furnace
may be erected by the company in the
near future.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-09
" Cut" Glass at "MOuntain Home"

Occasionally the Old-Ex-S Soldiers on
the Chill " are served with pieces Of
glass, supposedly to aid digestion. (?)
occasionally, it turns up in the rice
last evening 9Th, instant it bobbed up
in the "baked beans"
During the "late unpleasantness
bullets we're served the sold boys" by
their friends "the enemy" but broken
glass is as dangerous, and is not relish.
ed by "the boys" Carelessness in the
Cook House, is no doubt attributable
to this state of affairs. One of the
Boys.