The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1914-05-29
BUFFALO

Mr.. Editor: Will you please allow
me space in your valuable paper to
say few words in praise of one of
the best and most home-like mill
towns in the State, if not in the
South. This magnificent mill is four
miles west of Union, on the West
Spring road and just six miles from
that famous and ever-fowing spring
where people come from far and near
to imbibe of the waters of that noted
crystal spring. This is a beautiful
and costly structure, and one of the
largest and best equipped in the
country. Has $4,000 spindles,. 2,OO1
looms and consumes 70 bales day
or about 900 bales annually. 1t
requires about $50 operatives to run
the mill, and the weekly pay roll is
$4,000. This great enterprise is un-
der the able supervision and man
agement of Mr. O. F. Bennett, who
came here from Massachusetts, about
one year ago. He is mill man of
ripe experience and much ability and
efcial changes and various improve
ments have been made and the mill
is now in a prosperous and flourish
ing condition. Mr.. Bennett is not
only a prominent figure in mill cir
cles, but he is prominently identified
with the various enterprises of Un-
ion. He is man of a pleasing per-
sonality, very considerate and easy
to approach. He is popular with ev-
cry one and is held in high esteem
from the superintendent down to the
doffer.
The superintendent, Mr.. H. X.
Drew, is also from Massachusetts,,
coming here about the time Mr.. Ben
nett did. He, too, is a man of long
experience and thoroughly acquainted
with the mill business. He comes
among US highly recommended and
has made a very favorable impress
sion upon those with whom he comes
in daily contact, and is indeed pop
ular with the operatives.
Mr.. Drew is ably assisted by Mr..
w. B. Todd, one of the coming young
mill men of the country, having come
here from Anderson about nine years
ago, during which time he has held
some of the most difficult and re-
sponsible positions connected with the
mill, which he filled very creditably
and is doing, much for the upbuild-
morally and socially. He is active
in church work and everything per-
tanning to good. He is an elder in
the Presbyterian church.
In the weaving department will be
found 300 well-dressed and contenred
men and women running their looms
with grace and dignity, receiving for
their services a nice compensation,
making from nine to eleven dallars
per week, closing down Saturdays at
noon. This department is under the
management of Mr.. w. T. Corn, the
popular and efficient overseer, having
served in that capacity for the past
eight years. He is assisted by Messrs.
w. A. and J. B. johnson.
The spinning department is under
the efficient management of Mr. J. j.
Bates, coming here from Virginia
four years ago, having served large
mill there for several years in sim
liar capacity. He is being assisted
by Messrs. j. L. Rhinehart, R. d.
Scarboro and R. w. Gossett. Here
you will see about 325, composed
largely of bright-eyed boys and girls,
the pictures of health, happiness and
contentment.
The card room is being held down
by the old reliable, Mr.. J. l.. Padgett,
having been the popular overseer
since the starting-up of the mill in
1901. He has for his assistants,
Messrs. l.. f. Lawson and c. M. Pad
gett Visitors going through this de-
partment will see about 85 stout, ro-
bust-looking men and boys, perform
ing their duties willingly and cheer
fully, indicating that all was well
with them.
You will find the cloth room in
charge of Mr.. w. c. Poole, and we
will state right here that he has the
reputation of being the best man in
Buffalo. That is saying a good deal,
as this town is composed of good men.
He has associated with him in this
department Mr.. Joe Woodward as
second hand. In this room will be
found about 20 operatives, mostly
young ladies, happy and cheerful.
The work here is light and very
pleasant, and as in all other depart
ments, they receive good wages for
their labor. Here is where the diff
ferent grades of cloth is brought for
inspection, baled, marked and is then
ready to be loaded in the cars for
shipment.
Mr.. Frank Johnson is the efficient
shipping clerk.
Mr.. JOS. L.. West is the jovial and
accommodating superintendent of
power and master mechanic He also
has under him supervision all the out
side work, such as house repairs,
keeping up and improving the
streets. In these departments he has
for his assistants, Messrs. ]. a.
Hodge, Ransom Brank and Fred Nor
ris at the power plant. This is the
neatest and most attractive place in
Buffalo. Everything is kept clean
and tidy and every man can be found