USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fall River > Centennial history of Fall River, Mass. : comprising a record of its corporate progress from 1656 to 1876, with sketches of its manufacturing industries, local and general characteristics, valuable statistical tables, etc. > Part 16
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SKETCHES OF CORPORATIONS.
THE WEETAMOE MILLS COMPANY
is the outgrowth of the prosperity of the mills of the decade of 1860 to 1870. The first steps in the organization of the company were taken by D. Hartwell Dyer, Esq., who opened the books for subscription to a capital stock of $550,000. He met with such success that $100,000 was offered in excess of the amount named. The first meeting for organization was held December 29th, 1870, and the following board of direction chosen : L. L. Barnard, Job B. French, Jonathan I. Hilliard, Josiah C. Blaisdell, William Lindsey, Francis B. Hood, Henry C. Lincoln, E. C. Kilburn, and D. H. Dyer. L. L. Barnard was elected president, and D. H. Dyer treasurer. The act of incorpora- tion is dated February 24th, 1871. The number of original subscribers was two hundred and seventy-five. Land for a mill site was purchased on the banks of Taunton River, near Slade's Ferry, and the new corporation assumed the name of " Weetamoe," after the Queen of the Pocassets, who was drowned near by, in crossing the river. Another tract of land, north of Mechanics- ville, was purchased for tenement houses. Work on the mill building was begun in March, 1872, and within ten months the looms were running off cloth. The plans werc all drawn by Mr. Dyer, who, more or less connected with cotton-mills from his boyhood, in later years had turned his attention to the architecture of mill buildings, and the preparation of plans and speci- fications for the same.
The mill is of brick, 320 feet long, 74 feet wide, and five stories high with basement. It has a flat roof, and an L for engines, boilers, etc. Most of the machinery, looms, spoolers, cards, etc., is American, but a small portion English. The engine is a double Corliss of 500 horse-power, and steam is fur- nished by five sections of the Harrison boiler. The water for stcam purposes is supplied by wells dug on the premises. The mill is lighted by gas from the Fall River Gas Works. There are sixty-five tenements, the outer walls of brick, for the accommodation of the operatives. The company owns nine acres of land, together with a fine wharf privilege, which is utilized for the landing of coal, cotton, building material, and supplies. The present number of stockholders is three hundred.
THE SLADE MILL
is noteworthy as the first erected of the group of factories located in the southern district of Fall River. The enterprise was initiated by the owners of a large tract of unimproved land a few rods south of the Globe Village, on and about what is known as Cook's Pond (or Laurel Lake)-Messrs. Wil- liam L. and Jonathan Slade, Benjamin Hall, and the Dwelly heirs-who
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
entered into a joint agreement, on the ist of May, 1871, to sell their real estate for the erection of a mill thereon. Before the day was concluded every share of the stock had been subscribed, and probably double the amount could have been raised. The original subscribers were but twenty-seven in number, conspicuous in the list, in addition to those already mentioned as owners of the one hundred and fifty acres of land conceded to the company, being Frank S. Stevens, John C. Milne, W. and J. M. Osborn. Richard B. and Thomas J. Borden, S. Angier Chace, David A. Brayton, B. M. C. Durfee, and William Valentine. On the 13th of May a permanent organization was formed, Mr. William L. Slade being chosen president and James M. Osborn treasurer. Ground was at once broken for a mill, and the structure of brick rapidly pushed forward.
The effect of this new industrial movement was phenomenal. Real estate in the vicinity took an instantaneous upward turn, plots of unoccupied land in every proximate direction being picked up by cager purchasers almost before the owners could name a price, acres that were not valued a few years previously at $200 going off for $10,000. The shares of the new company rose from par ($100) to $172, before the foundation of the factory had been completely laid.
In the midst of this activity-so surely does one enterprise beget others -other companies were formed, and the King Philip, Osborn, and Montaup Mills soon in process of erection on portions of the land originally owned by the Slade corporation.
The result of this pioneer enterprise has been the establishment of a new village, adding probably 5000 to the population of Fall River, and over $2,000,000 to its production. One of the finest public-school edifices in the city has been erected on Main street, near the mills, known as the Slade school, and a new church has likewise been built for the Catholic community. The highways, thrown open on its real estate by the company, have been accepted by the city.
The Slade Mill produces print cloth. Its capacity is 10,000,000 yards annually, consuming 4000 bales of cotton. It runs 37,040 spindles and 860 looms. The present number of stockholders is seventy.
THE RICHARD BORDEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY
was initiated early in 1871. The entire capital of $800,000 was taken by twelve individuals, and May 19th the charter was accepted. At the first meeting of organization, Thomas J. Borden was elected treasurer and corpo- ration clerk, and Richard Borden, Philip D. Borden, Thomas J. Borden, Richard B. Borden, and A. S. Covel, directors. Richard Borden was chosen
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SKETCHES OF CORPORATIONS.
president at the subsequent board meeting. At the same meeting it was voted to purchase of Colonel Richard Borden the real estate owned by him, and known as the Borden farm, lying east of the Eight Rod Way and south of the Quequechan, as well as two acres belonging to Cook Borden, adjacent. Portions of the land were afterwards sold for the erection of the Chace and Tecumseh Mills.
The mill, which is one of the most perfect structures for manufacturing purposes in the country, was erected and " wound up" under the personal supervision of Thomas J. Borden, who made the plans of construction and machine equipment. It started full operation in February, 1873, the present number of spindles (1536 having been added to the original design) being 44,064, with 1032 looms. Its production annually is 12,000,000 yards of print cloth. The present number of stockholders is fifteen.
Colonel Richard Borden dying in February, 1874, his son, Richard B. Borden, was elected president, and continued in that office until the early part of 1876, when, by the resignation of his brother Thomas J., he was called to the more active duties of treasurer. Thomas J. Borden is now the presi- dent of the company.
THE WAMPANOAG MILL COMPANY
was the result of a preliminary meeting on the 23d of May, 1871, at which Stephen Davol, J. D. Flint, William H. Jennings, L. S. Earl, Walter C. Durfee, and R. T. Davis were associated for the purpose of projecting a new corporation. On the 3 Ist of the same month, the capital of $400,000 having all been taken up, a meeting of stockholders was held to organize the com- pany, at which Walter C. Durfee was elected treasurer and corporation clerk, and R. T. Davis, J. D. Flint, Walter C. Durfee, Stephen Davol, Foster H. Stafford, Simeon Borden, George H. Eddy, A. L. Covel, L. S. Earl, William H. Jennings, and John H. Brown, directors. At a subsequent meeting R. T. Davis was chosen president.
The land for the mill site was purchased of Messrs. Davis and Flint, fifteen acres in extent, and the construction of the factory at once proceeded. On the Ist of April, 1872, within ten months of laying the first stone, cloth was woven in the mill. The company now owns eighteen acres of land, and has erected thereon ten large tenement houses admirably planned, and a dwelling for its superintendent. The mill has a run of 28,000 spindles and 704 looms, producing 8,000,000 yards of print cloth per annum. Its provision against fire consists of two powerful force-pumps, besides the usual quota of hydrants, all connecting with the city water-works. The present number of stockholders is ninety-eight.
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
THE NARRAGANSETT MILL
was the third crection of the group in the northern distriet. Its original promoters were Daniel MeCowan, James Waring, A. D. Easton, and others. The capital, originally $350,000, was on the acceptance of the eharter, July 6th, 1871, increased to $400,000. At the meeting of organization, July 12th, James Waring was chosen treasurer, and A. D. Easton president. The mill was finished and wound up for operation by the latter part of December in the following year. Its capacity is 27,920 spindles and 700 looms, produeing print cloth and corset jeans. Its real estate on the east side of North Main street, twenty-one aeres, including a traet, also, on the west side of that thoroughfare, was purchased of Job T. Wilson and others. Its present stockholders number two hundred and forty.
THE KING PHILIP MILLS COMPANY.
In the spring of 1871, Messrs. C. E. Lindsey and E. C. Kilburn of Fall River, and Jonathan Chace of Valley Falls, R. I., had several interviews with reference to building a cotton-mill for the manufacture of fine cotton fabrics. Believing that there was an opening for an enterprise of that class, they decided to test the praeticability of the scheme by opening books for subserip- tions to a capital stock of $500,000, contemplating a mill of about 36,000 spindles. The matter was put in charge of Mr. E. C. Kilburn, and within a fortnight the whole amount of $500,000 was taken by forty-seven responsible persons, and an additional $160,000 asked for. But at the first meeting of the subscribers, held July 14th, 1871, for organization, it was decided to limit the eapital stock to $500,000. A code of by-laws was adopted, and the first board of directors elected, consisting of Jonathan Chace, James Henry, S. Angier Chace, C. E. Lindsey, Philip D. Borden, Charles O. Shovc, E. C. Kilburn, A. S. Tripp, Benjamin A. Chace, Simeon Borden, and Charles H. Dean. E. C. Kilburn was elected treasurer, and A. S. Tripp clerk of the corporation. At the first meeting of the board of directors, held the same day, Crawford E. Lindsey was elected president of the corporation.
The act of incorporation bears date September 15th, 1871.
It was at first decided to erect the mill on a traet of land belonging to the late Oliver Chace and his children, situated on the corner of Middle and Bay streets and on Sprague street, containing about twelve aeres. But upon digging a well to test the supply of water requisite for steam purposes, it was found entirely inadequate, and the treasurer was instrueted to look up other locations. At a meeting of the directors, held September 4th, 1871, negotia- tions were approved, which resulted in the purchase of twenty-one acres of the
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SKETCHES OF CORPORATIONS.
Dodge Farm, so-called, and fifteen aeres of the Slade Mills land adjoining, making a traet extending from Laurel Lake on the east to South Main Road on the west, and comprising about thirty-seven aeres. Preparations were immediately made for putting in a foundation, and work continued until eold weather put a stop to out-door operations. It was resumed the next April, and the mill carried forward to completion.
The mill building, located on the west shore of Laurel Lake, is con- strueted of granite, most of which was taken from a ledge on the premises, and is 320 feet long by 92 feet wide, four stories high on the front and five on the rear. The engine and pieker house, attached to the main building at the south-east corner, is three stories high, 65 feet long, and 50 feet wide ; the boiler-house, on the north side of the picker-house, is one story high, 98 feet long, and 50 feet wide.
The mill was built under the superintendence of the treasurer, assisted by W. F. Sherman and F. P. Sheldon, architeets and draftsmen. The mason work was done by A. T. Pierce of Dighton, and the carpentry by L. T. Miller of Fall River. Machinery began to be introduced in October, 1872. The mules were built by Parr, Curtis & Madeley, and the speeders and roving-frames by Howard & Boullough, of Aeerington, England. The card and spinning frames were furnished by the Saco Water-Power and Machine Company, of Biddeford, Maine, the looms and shafting by Kilburn, Lin- coln & Company, of Fall River.
The mill started up in January, 1873, but on account of delays in receiv- ing machinery from England, was not in full running order until late in the summer. The panic of 1873 oeeurred just as the first finished goods were put into the agent's hands, but notwithstanding the depression and falling market, they were well received, soon made for themselves a name, and have since maintained an honorable reputation with old and well established manufac- tories of like productions.
The regular makes are now " King Philips" fine wide sheetings, 4, 3, and & ; " King Philips" fine eambric muslins, and " King Philips" jaconets. There are also manufactured " Laurel Lake Sheetings," and various other kinds of brown sheetings and umbrella goods. The mill runs 37,440 spindles and 776 looms, and works up some 3000 balcs of cotton annually in the production of 5,500,000 yards of cloth. It requires about 425 hands to operate its ma- ehinery, while its monthly pay-roll amounts to $12,000. The engine is a Harris-Corliss of 550 horse-power, made by Wm. A. Harris, of Providence, R. I. Twenty-four cylinder boilers are in constant use to furnish the neees- sary steam. Abundanee of water is supplied by the lake, from which a canal leads directly into the engine-room. The fire apparatus consists of two of the
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
largest size Fulton steam-pumps, and the mill is also connected with the Slade Mills, not far distant, by a six-inch iron pipc, to which the pumps of each mill arc attached, so that in case of fire the one can assist the other. The mill is lighted by gas furnished by the Slade Mills, and conveyed through the pipe above referred to, which thus answers the double purpose of a gas conduit, or, in case of fire, by shutting off the gas, it becomes a water conduit. Stairs arc at each end of the mill building, and fire-escapes are attached to each story, front and rear. The company owns six houses with four tenements in cach, and two blocks with twenty-cight tencments each, making in all eighty tencments ; also a house for the superintendent, connected with the mill by a bell, to be used by the watchman in any sudden emergency at night. Mr. B. W. Nichols was appointed superintendent in October, 1872, a position he has filled honorably and successfully to the present time. The stockholders of the King Philip Company number one hundred and forty.
THE CRESCENT MILLS CORPORATION
was organized October 25th, 1871, with a capital stock of $500,000. The original stockholders numbered thirty. Ground was broken for foundation in the same month, and the work rapidly pushed forward till cold weather, when operations were suspended until spring. The main building is of granite, 339 fcet by 74, four stories and attic above the basement. The picker-house building in rear is 85 by 50 feet, three stories high. The first cotton was put in December 21st, 1872, and the first cloth produced February 8th, 1873, and the entire mill was in full operation August 30th, 1873.
The picker-house machinery and roving-frames were built by Messrs. Walker & Hacking, Bury, Lancashire, Eng. The cards, mules, looms, and spinning-frames were built by William Mason, of Taunton, Mass.
The engine was furnished by the Foundry and Machine Company of Taunton, Mass. It is of the Corliss pattern, having the cylinder 26 inches diameter by 5 feet stroke, and working up to 450 horse-power. The twenty- four boilers, cylinder pattern, were made by the Fall River Iron Works Company, and are 30 feet long by 30 inches in diameter. The mill contains 33,280 spindles and 744 looms, manufacturing # fine brown sheetings and special styles of fine goods for printing and converting. Three thousand five hundred bales of cotton are used annually, producing 6,000,000 yards of cloth.
The original officers of the corporation wcre: Benjamin Covel, presi- dent ; Lafayette Nichols, treasurer ; and Benjamin Covcl, L. Nichols, D. A. Chapin, William B. Durfcc, J. F. Nichols, Joscph Brady, David F. Brown, G. M. Haffards, and A. S. Covel constituted the board of directors.
Mr. Nichols served as treasurer until November 12th, 1873, when he
SKETCHES OF CORPORATIONS. 139
resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. R. B. Borden. Mr. Borden filled the position until the annual meeting, February 9th, 1876, at which time he also resigned, and Mr. A. S. Covel, the present treasurer, was elected to fill the vacancy.
The land purchased for the mill site is bounded by the Quequechan River, Eight Rod Way, and Pleasant street. It contains about twenty-five acres, and is the centre of a circle of eighteen large mills, and was chosen on account of the valuable water-front, its proximity to so many large corpora- tions, and its consequent prospective value as an investment. Already the Fall River Railroad Company has a large tract of this land for their termi- nus, and several large lots have been leased to parties for different branches of business. The company numbers nincty-four stockholders.
THE MONTAUP MILLS
was projected by Josiah Brown, Esq., of Fall River. In following his busi- ness as a civil engineer, Mr. Brown had been brought in contact in various parts of New England with mills for the manufacture of bags, duck and cotton bats, and conceived the idea that in Fall River, with its numerous cotton-mills, there was an excellent opening for such an enterprise. Having put his ideas in form, and broached the subject to several of his friends, hc found them ready to make the necessary investment, and within a week after the books were opened, the whole amount was subscribed, and the preliminary steps taken in the formation of the company. The first meeting was held November 14th, 1871, by the original subscribers, thirty-five in number, and the following board of directors chosen: Josiah Brown, Bradford D. Davol, George B. Durfee, A. D. Easton, William L. Slade, Isaac Borden, George H. Hawes, William Valentine, Holder B. Durfee, and Thomas J. Borden. Josiah Brown was elected president, and Isaac Borden treasurer and clerk of the corporation. The capital was fixed at $250,000, and the name of " Montaup Mills" adopted as the corporate name, suggested by the Indian name of "Mount Hope." The act of incorporation bears date December Ist, 1871.
Between eight and nine acres of land were bought on the northern shore of Laurel Lake, and as soon as the plans could be drawn, work was begun on the foundation. The mill is built of brick, 242 feet long and 74 feet wide, and four stories high, with a flat roof. An L for a picker-house projects on the east, 77 feet long by 29 feet wide, three stories high. On the west is another L, 30 by 20, two stories high, occupied as an engine and boiler house. Josiah Brown was the architect; John Q. Chace, the mason ; and W. T. Wood, the carpenter. The cards were furnished by William Mason, of
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FALL, RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
Taunton ; the drawing-frames by the Whitin Machine Company, of Whitins- ville, Mass .; the speeders by Parr, Curtis & Madeley, of Manchester, England ; the spinning-frames by Fales & Jenekes, of Pawtucket, R. I .; and the looms by the Lewiston Machine Company, of Lewiston, Mainc.
Operations on the foundation were begun February 13th, 1872, and the work advanced with such rapidity that the engine was started January 2d, 1873, and the weaving February 7th, 1873, or in a little less than a year from the first breaking of ground.
The company entered immediately upon the manufacture of first quality seamless bags, cotton bats and duck, running 7200 spindles and 112 looms, from which it can produce 600,000 bags (two-bushel) annually. The company employs 125 hands, and its pay-roll is $3000 per month. The works are run by a single engine, of 350 horse-power, made by the Corliss Steam Engine Company, of Providence, R. I. Steam is furnished by three upright boilers of 150 horse-power each. A canal from the lake conveys the water directly into the engine-room. The mill is lighted by gas made from oil, and manufactured on the premises. Two Fulton steam pumps, and connections with the city water-works, give ample protection against fire. Fire-escapes upon the front and rear of the mill, and stairways at each end, give ready means of exit in any sudden emergency. The company owns six houses, containing thirty-six tenements, which are rented at moderate rates to the operatives. Mr. John F. Hamlet has filled the office of superintendent since the organization of the company, and has brought to his position a large and skilled experience in this particular branch of eotton manufacture. The company numbers seventy-five stockholders.
THE OSBORN MILLS
enterprise was due to the suggestion of Weaver Osborn, Esq., who, in eonsulta- tion with Messrs. Easton & Milne and Joseph Healy, proposed the formation of a company with $500,000 capital for the manufacture of print cloths. The books were opened, and before night the whole amount was subscribed, and the same evening "rights" sold at three per cent premium. The first meeting of the original subseribers, thirty-five in number, was holden October 9th, 1871, and the company organized with the following board of directors : Weaver Osborn, Joseph Healy, James T. Milne, Benjamin Hall, Andrew J. Borden, Joseph Osborn, Joseph E. Macomber, George T. Hathaway, John C. Milne, D. H. Dyer, and Edward E. Hathaway. Weaver Osborn was subsequently elected president, and Joseph Healy treasurer and clerk of the corporation. The capital was fixed at $500,000, and the name of " Osborn Mills," in honor
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SKETCHES OF CORPORATIONS.
of the president, selected as the corporate name. The act of incorporation bears date February Ist, 1872.
A tract of land on the eastern shore of Laurel Lake, comprising about fifteen acres, was secured as a mill site, and a smaller lot of five acres, near by, purchased for tenement houses. Plans for the mill were drawn during the winter by D. H. Dyer, architect, and work begun on the foundation April 4th, 1872. The mill is built of granite, from a ledge on the south shore of the lake, and is 318 feet long by 74 feet wide, five stories high, with a flat roof and a basement. A finely proportioned tower at the centre affords means of entrance and exit. An L, on the west, 90 feet by 40, and three stories high, serves as an engine and picker house, to which is attached a boiler-house, 41 feet by 42, two stories high. The mason work was done under the direction of William M. Manley, and the wood work by David D. Grinnell, both of Fall River. The looms and cards were furnished by William Mason, of Taunton ; the mules and speeders by Walker & Hacking, of Manchester, England ; the spoolers by Payne & Matthewson, of Pawtucket; the warpers by the Hope- dale Machine Company, of Hopedale, Mass .; the drawing by the Whitin Machine Company, of Whitinville, Mass., and the shafting by William Sellers & Co., of Philadelphia. The mill building was put up, the machinery placed in position, and weaving commenced (March 10, 1873) in less than a year from the time of beginning work on the foundation. The mill was "wound up" for the manufacture of print cloths 64 by 64, and contains 37,232 spindles and 930 looms. Four thousand two hundred and fifty bales of cotton arc used per annum in the production of 11,000,000 yards of cloth. Four hundred and twenty-five hands are employed, and the monthly pay-roll amounts to $11,000. The motive power is furnished by a double steam- engine of 500 horse-power, made by the Corliss Steam Engine Company, of Providence, R. I. Four upright boilers, 12 feet in diameter, supply the steam, while an abundance of water is secured by a canal from the adjacent lake. The mill is lighted by gas from the Fall River Gas Works. The fire appa- ratus consists of two Niagara force-pumps, with two stand-pipes and two hydrants connected with the city water-works. The company has provided for its help thirteen houses, containing forty-nine tenements. Mr. Joseph Watters has proved an efficient and practical superintendent from his first appointment, at the formation of the company. The stockholders are two hundred and six in number.
ยท
THE CHACE MILLS COMPANY
was organized in 1871-2, the original promoters of the enterprise being Augustus Chace, George W. Grinnell, and J. M. Earl. The first suggestion
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FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
of the new corporation was the effort of a few gentlemen, associated with Mr. John P. Slade, to start a mill a considerable distance south, on the shore of the Quequechan Pond. The locality proposed being considered too far removed from the city, the undertaking resolved itself into another enter- prise, which terminated in the formation of the Chacc Company.
The Chace Mill, located on Rodman street, is a granite structure, 377 feet long by 74 feet wide, and six stories elevation. The engine-house and picker-room occupy an L, three stories high, in the rear. In this mill the basement, a full story, remarkably dry, airy, and light, is used for cotton storage.
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