Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-01

Probably the proudest among the
many recipients of Christmas pres
cnts in this city, are MIR. and Mrs.
Charles Sweeney OF II Winthrop
street. They We're surprised and de
lighted to receive q letter from the
management of the Edwards Manu-
featuring Company in whose mill
they have both worked for half
century, which stated that because
of their conscientious service in the
employ of the mill. it had been re
Gently voted by the board of dircc-
tors at meeting in Boston to retire
them on half pay.
This notice, coming at the end Of
nifty years service for the company,
Is of especial value to MIR. and Mrs
SWCone| as thcy feel that tncir CT
forts have not some unnotiCcd. The
letter stated that this was dividend
upon the fine and efficient wClN
WniCh they have done.
1t was III 1873 that Mr.. and Mrs
Sweeney, then bride ana groom, came
to this city and entered the employ
OF the mill, which ut that time went
unu"r the name OF the .;praGuc Mil.
At that time, what is knowa IS the
number two mill. was just starting
The only break in their years Of SER
vice came at the time the mill
changed hands il 1881. VIXEN for
nearly a year while tho mill was not
in operation, Mr.. and NJ 5. Sweeney
worked in Lowell. When opera
tons We're resumed they returned to
Augusta.
Mr.. Sweeney worked for 81 wears
as mule spinner, and second hand
IN his room. he was then for a short
time in the cloth room, following this
he worked for seven years in the
supply room, and he is now in his
seventh year in the main office as
gate keeper and janitOr Mrs.
Sweeney in all those years has been
employed in the card room.
Thcrc have been eight different
agents at the mill while these two
people have been working there.
Speaking of Mr.. Dean the present
agent. Mr.. Sweeney said that lie
had dorc much for the mill. both in
production and in improvement of
the Workin" conditions. lie spoke
especially Of the restaurant which
is now in connection with the plant.
The change in working hours is
marked. When they entered the min,
work began at siX in tho morning
and stopped at six at night, with
lights were required, kerosene ones
were used. and to care for these
lampIighters We're employed.
The great difference which modern
machinery makes was well illustrated
by Mr.. Sweeney who stated that at
the time he started to work there,
one man could end eicht or ten
looms. while now one man can tend
16 or IS looms. At ono time, 400
hands were employed in the same
space that now employs 700 or 500.
Under the eyes OF this devoted
couple, for such indeed they are. the
mills have grown in number from
two 10 five. When they entered the
mill part Of the ground was occu-
pied by q grist mill. a machine shop.
n carpenter shop ard other indus
tries. These have all disappeared
and the factory has taken the space
which they occupied.
On the oath Of this month Mr.. and
Mrs. Sweeney will celebrate their 5lst
wedding anniversary. Since their
marriage they have lived nearly all
of their time in this city with the ex-
ceptiOn Of the time that they were in
Lowell. Each year they have been in
the habit Of taking two. three or per-
haps four weeks vacation, which
they passed with relatives OF Mrs.
Sweeney in Vermont.
Mrs. Sweeney consesses 70 Il
years and Mr.. Sweeney to a little
less but il is hard to believe that they
have reached three score years and
ten" Indeed until he was taken
about five weeks ago with an attack
of muscular rheumatism, Mr.. Swee-
ney, besides his work a the mill has!
always done all of the work necess-
airy about their home. He told with
a feeling Of sorrow that II must he
so. but with n feeling IF pride in his
wife. of the way in which she had
cleared the walk after the recent
storm when he had been unable to
because of the rheumatism. He is
much improved lately and hopes
soon to be able to get out Of doors.
Mr.. Sweeney stated -ear the close
OF the Interview that there was not
4 business man. professional man or
politician in the city Of Augusta to-
day that was here wnen they first
came here. with. one eXception. That
one exception is F. II. Beale, pro-
rrietor Of the F. II. Beale Co., deal
ers in paints.
So with a feeling os comfort that
their long years of service have been
and that they may work
i. they SC desire but DO not need to
if they do not, Mr.. and Mrs. Sweeney
take pride in the fact that, while il
IL not common for one person to work
so many years for the same company.