The independent-reporter., 1910-12-01
MANUFACTURE OF COTTON GOODS IN
MAINE BEGUN A CENTURY AGO
Long One of the Most Important Industries
1t is Still Increasing

a few years, when 1t also failed, and
in 1853 the property was bought by the
Cabot Company, but on account of
debts and a number of stockholders
falling to pay their assessments, 1t was
sold at auction in 1857, going into the
hands of a newly organized company
called the Cabot Manufacturing Com
pany, with capital of 100000. and
the mill was enlarged and improved
at an expense of $4,000. The estab-
lishment then contained 5000 spindles
and 235 looms, gave employment TO
l75 hands. with a monthly pay roll OF
$4,000, and turned out weekly $4,000
yards of plain cotton cloth.
Thus. for nearly half a century,
this enterprise struggled through pow
erty, misfortune and failure, before
Ii was established on a firm financial
basis. Various enlargements and i'm
provements have, from time to time,
been made until now, the mill con-
tains $4,000 spipdles and gives en-
ployment to $50 operatives.
In 1926, a cotton mill was erected
in Saco, which, in 1929, had 1900
spindles and 300 looms, and gave en-
ployment to about 400 persons; but in
1880 1t was destroyed by fire. The
location Is now occupied by the mills
of the York Manufacturing Company
containing 50,368 spindles, and where
about 1900 operatives are employed.
"In Biddeford, the Laconia Co
was organized in 1845 and the Pepper
ell Company In 1850,e erected mills
which have since been engaged in the
manufacture of cotton goods. The
mills of both companies are now un-
der the management of the Pepperell
Company, run 100000 spindles and
furnish employment to approximately
$500 hands.
In Lewiston, the Lincoln mill, the
first to be started in that city, COM
menced operations in 1886, other mills
followed, until 1t became the most I'M
portant cotton manufacturing center
in the State. The five mills now in op-
Grafton are running 321 ,432 spindles
and furnishing employment to nearly
5000 operatives, while the Lewiston
Bleachery and Dye Works, where cot
ton goods are dyed and finished, is
now employing SIS hands. The Bar
ker mill In AubQn, just across the
river, was established later, runs 22,-
900 spindles, and employs about 25C
operatives.
in Augusta, the making of cotton
goods was commenced In November
1S45, In a small mill containing 10000
spindles. This establishment has
changed ownership and been enlarged
several times, until it now contains
101 900 spindles, and gives employ
ment to about 100 operatives. 1t IL
owned and operated by the Edwards
Manufacturing Company.
AT the Lockwood mills in Water
Vile, the manufacture of cotton goods
was begun in 1876. The establish
ment now contains SO,320 spindles and
employs 100 hands.
"Other cotton mills in operation iT
the State at the present time are the
Farwell mills in Lisbon, with 25,O0(
spindles and employing 312 hands
the Dana Warp Mills in Westbrook
the Royal River Manufacturing
Co. at Yarmouthville. with 2400 spin
dies and 65 hands; and those of the
r. w. Lord Co. in Kennebunk, with
1896 spindles and 65 hands.
an the development of the cotton
industry in its earlier stages, the ten.
dency was to the erection of many
small plants, very few of which
have ceased to do business, but the
policy of more recent years has been
to consolidate and enlarge existing
plants, rather than the erection ol
new mills; and while the number ol
establishments in the State Have
chiefly by the process of consolida-
tion, been reduced fifty per cent in the
last thirty years, the number OF
spindles have increased thirty-one pei
cent, and the number of hands en-
ployed over twenty-five per cent.
1.-The manufacture of cotton goods
has for long time been one of the
most important industries In the State
for several decades taking first rank
and is still increasing; yet in 1905. on
the basis of capital invested, it took
second rank, pulp and paper being
first, and on the basis of value of
product. it was exceeded by both pulp
and paper and lumber and timber pro-
duce."