USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Picturesque Hampshire : a supplement to the quarter-centennial-journal > Part 21
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The main structure is 200x50 feet in size, six stories high. In addition there are six other large buildings, used for dye-house, cloth room, storage and office purposes. A disastrous fire July 3d, 1855, destroyed the two upper floors of the main mill and severely damaged the remainder of the property, but it s promptly rebuilt and filled with new and improved machinery. The mill now contains 13,000 spindles and 425 looms, turning ont a weekly product of 75,000 yards of fine ginghams and fancy dress goods. Power is taken from a turbine wheel 72 inches in diameter under a head and fall of 30 feet, the water coming by canal from the South Hadley end of the Holyoke dam.
Geo. M. Atwater was the first president and William R. Gould, Jr., the first clerk and treasurer. Among the presidents since have been Erastus Hopkins, Homer Foot, John H. Southworth and Oscar Edwards, who now holds the office. Mr. Edwards is also president of
THE GLASGOW GINGHAM MILLS, SOUTH HADLEY FALLS.
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PICTURESQUE HAMPSHIRE.
the Northampton National bank, a director in the Conn. river railroad company and is interested in numerous other successful enterprises. Geo. M. Atwater was treasurer of the company for nearly forty years and carried the concern safely through many financial storms. John Cumnock, the present treasurer and agent, became associated with the company in 1886 and has proven himself worthy of the name. The other agents have been Chas. Peck, Theo. W. Ellis and B. C. Brainerd, each of whom was with the company for long terms of years and contributed much to its success. The present elerk and paymaster, William R. Hill, has been with the company for fourteen years. The present directors are Oscar Edwards, Heury R. Hinckley of Northampton, Geo. M. Atwater, Homer Foot and Chas. H. South- worth of Springfield; James C. Atwater of New York, and James W. Cumnock of Chicopee.
The Glasgow company in 1860 purchased the land adjoining the gingham mills on the west and erected the paper mill now known as the Hampshire Paper company. They continued to operate the paper mill in connection with the gingham mill until 1866, when the business was separated, a uew company known as the Hampshire Paper company being formed. Que half the capital stock was purchased by Messrs. J. H. Southworth, Edward Southworth and Wells South- worth, the balance being distributed pro rata to the stockholders of the Glasgow company.
This company own and rent to the operatives at reduced prices about oue hundred tenements, mostly pleasantly located and conveniently arranged double cottages situated near the mill but upon little higher ground.
Smith Carr Baking Company.
A prominent and prosperous concern is that of the Smith Carr Baking company, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in biscuit, crackers and confec- tionery, and whose products maintain a uniformly high standard of excellence, and as a consequence are in steady and extensive demand throughout this and adjoining states, the trade being very large. This flourishing business was established in 1863 by Smith Carr, who conducted it up to March 1886, when he was succeeded by the present proprietors, who have since continued it with eminent success, still retain- ing the name of the founder iu the style of firm.
The business has continued to expand until at the
CARR'S STEAM CRACKER BAKERY
present writing a trade has been established extend- ing all over the New England states. Some of the specialties are Carr's double extra, extra milk, farina dot,oyster and graham crackers. The bakery occupies a two-story and basement brick structure, 60x65 feet in dimensions, operated by steam and thoroughly equipped with all the most improved machinery and trade appliances. Employment is furnished to some 12 skilled hands, and from 15 to 25 barrels of flour consumed in the manufacture. The bakery is a model of cleanliness and every department is conducted equally with that of the other. The resources of the house are adequate to all demands brought to bear upon it, and the names of the proprietors, viz., John
trade count for anything. He was for many years superintendent of the Northampton cutlery company's works and his practical knowledge of the business now serves him well. He has one of the best equipped cutlery shops in New England ; his forge-room wheel-room and finish- ing department are all on one floor, only the grind-
WEBSTER HERRICK, ESQ.
CIRCULAR SAW MILLS.
HERRICKS MACHINE V3983
MACHINE SHOP OF WEBSTER HERRICK.
E. Bates, A. M. Locke and E. C. Lyman, are a sufficient guarantee for the satisfactory fulfillment of all orders. The trade has coustantly increased under their able management and extends nearly all over the New England states.
Webster Herrick-Machinist.
Webster Herrick is the oldest machinist now in the business at Northampton. As such, his portrait on this page will be noticed with interest. In attending to the building and remodelling of special machines, Mr. Herrick is a veteran pioneer in the business, having been engaged in this branch of industry nearly half a century, and through all these years, and the vicissitudes of trade, has always maintained the honorable position of the house. The premises occupied and utilized in the industry are as convenient as could be deslred. The shop is located on the line of the Connecti - cut river railroad, and is thoroughly equipped with all the latest and most improved machinery Mr. Herrick makes a specialty of mill work, water wheels and saws, steam stretchers for stretching silk, and a circular saw mill of his own patent, which has been used all over the country and given universal satisfaction. Within the past year Mr. Herrick has built five oil engines, to ruu by oil instead of steam.
Mr. Herrick started in business for himself in the spring of 1842, making patterns in the building now known as Lamb's wire factory. In 1854 he began the business of furnishing the circular saw-mills, before spoken of. In 1862 he made a machine for making guns and took a government contract, and the same year, his son, Charles E., came into the business aud has been with him ever since.
E. E. Wood Cutlery Co.
E. E. Wood of this city began the mannfac- ture of table cutlery on Federal street in this city something over a year and a half ago, and being born and bred in the business, so to speak, he will undoubtedly make a success of it, if experience and thorough acquaintance with the
ing stones below, and all the rooms are well lighted aud ven- tilated. There are four water - wheels, any one of which can be shut offand one de- partment run. at a time. One hundred horse power of water is furnished the year round, and if more is wanted a 200 horse Corliss engine, cost- ing $5000, can be utilized. Two boilers and a 100-foot chim- ney contribute to the moving of the drive wheel with its 36-inch belt. Mr. Wood manufactures only table cutlery and has a force of about sixty men working for him, though he has been established so short a time. His success is almost unprecedented and is likely to continue for the reasons we have given.
CUTLERY WORKS OF E. E. WOOD, NORTHAMPTON.
The Northampton Emery Wheel Co.
Solid emery and corundum wheels, although first made and used in Europe, have never been developed there, either in the perfection of manufacture or the diversity of employment, to anything like the extent that they have in this country. There are manufac- turers of this elass of goods in England, Scotland, France, Germany and other parts of Europe, who sell their product at about one-half the price of the best American article, but, even with this difference in cost, the American goods are greatly preferred; the export trade to those countries is large and constantly increasing. Few people, except those who employ then, have any conception of the varied and extensive uses to which solid emery wheels are applied. No
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PICTURESQUE HAMPSHIRE.
inetal or wood-working shop or factory is without them ; little machinery, of any kind is now made in the construction of which the solid emery wheel is not an important tool. From shaping and sharpening the most delicate implements to the construction of iron bridges it has become indispensable. In fitting stove plate, agricultural machinery and brass goods, it has superceded the grindstone, file and cold chisel. It was a feeble standing joke for ages to say to a man who complained of a dull saw, that it needed grind- ing; it is a joke no longer; solid emery wheels to the value of nearly, if not quite $100,000 a year are consumed in America alone in grinding saws.
Solid emery wheels vary in size from 3-8 inch to 3 feet in diameter, and in cost from a few eents to more than $100 each. As with all other tools, much of the advantage in using them depends upon the workman. Some can do none but the coarsest and most common work with them, while others can do the finest and
of the price at which they might be sold or the management of the business. But men "with cash to spare " are fast finding out that it can be dissipated as rapidly in a badly managed emery wheel business as in any other. All business is established for the purpose of making money for its proprietors, and no business can properly be called successful that falls to do this. Judged by this standard, many emery wheel companies have failed utterly of accomplishing the purpose for which they were created. Those that have proved successful have been managed by well- equipped business men, and by trained, well educated mechanics. Many who have run out their capital and had it replaced several times over, still go on selling goods below the cost of production; in other words, paying customers a premium (which eventu- ally comes out of the pockets of their own stock- holders and ereditors) for taking their produets. There is no margin for fooling, by the incom-
at No. 20, South Canal street, Chicago, where is carried the largest and most complete stock of grinders, polishers and platers' supplies in any one store in America. This stock includes, in addition to the goods manufactured by the company, dynamos, anodes chemicals, grain emery, corundum, walrus- leather, glues, cotton and merino buffs; in fact the almost endless variety of articles and appliances for fitting ont completely establishments designed for grinding, polishing, buffing and electro-plating. Mr. E. L. Dyer, formerly of Northampton, has managed this branch successfully for many years. The me holding important positions with the company at Leeds have also been a long time in its employ H. P. Otis, the superintendent, for 15 years; P. A. Otis, master mechanic, 12 years; Charles Kinney, foreman of wheel department, 11 years; George II. Sergeant, book-keeper and pay-master, 10 years. The business of the company in 1889, was $20,000
FACTORY OF THE NORTHAMPTON EMERY WHEEL COMPANY.
most delicate. The quality of the workinan's brain is as important as the quality of the wheel, although it is hard for any one to do good work with poor tools.
There are half a dozen different processes, of greater or less merit, by which these wheels are made. None of the processes are seeret, nor are there any patents on them of any value. A large amount and variety of machinery for utilizing wheels to the best advantage is in use, from coarse, heavy and simple . machines designed for fitting stove-plate and eleaning eastings, to fine automatie tools of accuracy.
Twenty-three years ago, when the Northampton Emery Wheel company commeneed business, there was but one other establishment in America, and the writer thinks, not one in Europe regularly engaged in the business of making emery wheels for the market ; now there are from twenty-five to thirty in America, no less than ten of them being in Massachusetts. The idea has generally prevailed, as to the emery wheel business, that " there were millions in it," and any one who could contrive or ascertain some method of making grains of emery adhere together in the form of a wheel, had no difficulty in persuading people with capital that a bonanza awaited whoever might put wheels made by his process on the market, regardless
petent and unskillful, in the emery wheel business.
The business of this company was established in 1867 by the firm of Otis & Williams, the members being Gen. J. L. Otis aud L. B. Williams, president of the Williams manufacturing company. It soon became apparent that under proper management the business could be developed into an important indus- try and a joint stock company was formed with a capital of $40,000 and established at Leeds. The capital was soon inereased to $50,000, and in 1879 to $100,000. The company has been uniformly suecess- ful from the first; none of its stock has been sold outside of the original stockholders, nor has there been any change in its officers or direetors, except such as have been occasioned by death.
The officers are president, Ira Dimock; secretary, treasurer and business manager, J. L. Otis. The directors are Ira Dimoek, L. B. Williams, J. L. Otis, S. B. Fuller and Chas. E. Williams. The late A. B. Clark and A. T. Lilly were directors up to the time of their death.
The company sends its products to almost every part of the world where mechanical industries are carried on. Its trade in the west became so important several years ago that a branch house was established
larger than in any previous year, with a still larger increase in 1890. A large addition to the buildings and other facilities for a larger production will be made in the spring of 1891. The average price at which this company's emery wheels are sold is ten per cent. above any other kind except the Vulcanite.
C. S. Shattuck-Gun Works.
Few of our readers have any comprehension of the quite considerable business of gun manufacturing carried on by Major C. S. Shattuck at Hattield.
The business was started by Hyde & Shattuck fifteen years ago, and the past ten years has been carried on, since the retirement of Mr. Hyde, by Mr. Shattnek, and the last five years, the work of pistol or revolver-making, which was the early business of the works, has been almost entirely exchanged for that of gun manufacture. The building occupied by the works shows in our Hatfield illustrations, and there has been manufacturing on this spot for many years. Originally there was an old saw-mill here. At one time there was a button-shop here and fire-extinguish- ers were once made. The old buildings were destroyed by fire in 1881.
As to the gun business carried on by Major
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PICTURESQUE HAMPSHIRE.
Shattuck, it is something sportsmen will be interested in knowing about. The Major makes a Hammerless, a Top Lever, " American " and Perfection Side Snap gun, and he has sold over 20,000 of the " American " in the last four years, but the " Perfection " guns, for $9 and $12, are the favorite now, aud Mr. Shattuck is selling these as fast as he ean turn them out. In order to produce this gun at a low price he has added new machinery and tools for its special construction and with these and a corps of skilled mechanics claims to have produced a gun absolutely perfeet in all its details. The gun has the favorite side snap action
manufactured is warranted and in order to give patrons ample time to test their merits the company will send on thirty days' trial to any responsible party one of any grade.
Williams Mfg. Co. - Baskets.
The Williams Mfg. Company of Northampton have not only a national but world-wide reputation, as the makers of splint and rattan baskets, and some of the views in our Northampton series of en- gravings, in the early part of this work, show some picturesque scenes about the works. L. B. Williams began the business at Hunt- ington, with Roland S. Bartlett,in 1850, and continued there until 1862, at which time he moved to Northampton, and the style of firm was changed to L. B. Williams & Co. In 1867 the concern was in orporated under the name of the Williams Manufacturing eom- pany, with a capital of $100,000 and began business with the largest basket factory in the world, and with enlarged resources The building the firm occupied when they first came here was originally used by White, Smith & Co. for the manufacture of enameled
eloth. The plant covers 800x50 feet in area, and comprises five buildings beside office, the main factory being a three-story frame 225x40 feet, four storehouses, two 100x50, the others 200x50. with a new office building, 60x30, of briek, and very
The Crystal Emery Wheel Company.
This company is doing a rapidly increasing business. It was incorporated in 1879, with a capital of $30,000, and it is equipped with the best of facilities for the manufacture of superior solid emery and corundum wheels, emery grinding machinery of all kinds, ete. The president of the company is John Mulligan, who is a resident of Spring- field, Mass., and also superintendent of the Coun. River R.R. company. The treasurer and manager, Charles E. Steveus, is a native of Maine and a resident of Northampton. The factory shown in the engraving on this page is a two-story frame structure, 25x50 feet in dimensions. It is equipped with the best machinery, which is operated by a forty horse power engine and boiler, and employment is furnished to ten hands. The company have recently effected great improvements iu their products, and they are now sending out emery wheels that cannot be excelled in strength, durability and cutting qualities. Their cementing materials are so perfectly adjusted in their proportions that they can produce wheels in any grade or quantity that may be desired, of the most uniform texture, aud give them the proper temper to produce the very best results for all classes of work for which emery wheels are used.
The specialty of the company has been what is termed the Leonite, which is a water-proof emery wheel and which has b en in use for more than three years, and those who have given it the most severe tests are unanimons in pronouncing it superior to all others.
For saw gnmming, the company make three grades, viz., hard, medium hard, and soft, and for all other classes of work two grades, viz , hard and medium hard. It can be used with or without water and is not affected by climatic changes, and will not warp or cramp under any circumstances. Every wheel
WORKS OF THE WILLIAMS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
handsomely appointed. The factory is equipped with a full and complete complement of the most modern machinery and appliances, operated by a seventy- five horse power steam engine, and possesses the capacity of producing ten thousand baskets per day. The daily product of the company is from five thousand to eight thousand baskets, when running on full time. From one hundred and fifty to two hundred hands find constant employment. The output goes to all parts of the United States and Canada.
The company covers a considerable area of land back of its factory, with its lumber, of which it uses about 1,000,000 feet per year, the varieties of wood used being all hard wood, such as oak, birch, beech, ash, maple, hickory and elm, most of it being purchased in this vicinity.
A brief description of the process of manufacture must suffice. It is very simple. The wood is cut into pieces of requisite size and soaked a few hours in a steam vat, to make it pliable, after which it is split into pieces of varying thickness, as desired, by machinery. It is then woven and in a flat state, like a mat, is delivered to the tinisher, who bends it over the wooden mould or pattern, forcing it into the required shape. The edges are trimmed off evenly and the rims nailed on quickly. The work in the finishing department is light and pleasant, and the odor of the still damp, steamed wood is very fragrant and aromatic; the rooms are well lighted and ventilated, and the workmen seem to have an exceptionally pleasant employment.
Every style of basket used in the country is made by the Williams basket company-verbena and grape baskets, fruit baskets, peach, picking and feed baskets, corn and grain, oyster and clam baskets, covered satchel and market baskets, factory, butchers' and groce s' baskets, office and eounter baskets, laundry, clothes, cotton and coal baskets and hampers of all styles and sizes, while the company will fill orders for any size or style of basket ordered.
As may be understood from the extensive resources of the Williams Manufacturing company, the output is proportionately heavy, the trade extending all over the country. All the advantages and facilities heretofore
FACTORY OF THE CRYSTAL EMERY WHEEL COMPANY.
PESOA.N-y
SHATTUCK'S "PERFECTION " GUN.
with the hammer in center of the frame. The hammer is very low, therefore does not obstruct the line of sight, and completely fills the slot in the frame, whatever its position, thereby making it impossible for dirt to enter the lock.
PICTURESQUE HAMPSHIRE.
101
mentioned are rarely combined under one corporation or management, and therefore we give pre-eminence to this establishment that must be taken into consid- eration by those who require any such goods, goods that will prove satisfactory and perfect in every respect. The office is at the works, where all commu- nications should be addressed.
The Williston & Knight Button Co.
.
The manufacture of eloth-covered buttons was com- menced in a small way by Samnel Williston, at East- hampton, in 1826. At first and for many years they were made by hand-sewing, and the business so in- creased that at one time it furnished employment to hundreds of families in Hampshire and adjoining conn-
considerable importance, adding materially to the all work, became his chief salesman when twenty- population and valuation of the town, as will be seen in other articles relating to Easthampton industries.
The accompanying cnt represents the main build- ing of the group owned and occupied by the Wil- liston & Knight Co.
The establishment is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and the factory is equipped with improved machinery and tools for producing a great variety as well as a large quantity of buttons.
So great have been the improvements in the methods of manufacture that two hundred operatives can now do the work that formerly would have required five hundred.
The company employs skillful mechanics and intelligent help in every department, and aims at
Que years of age and his partner three years later. He has been interested at various times in most of the Easthampton corporations and institutions.
Elastic Fabric Works of Geo. S. Colton.
Near the railroad station in Easthampton stands a plain, unpretentious looking building, where within a few years has been built up a large business in elastic fabrics. A ramble through this establishment shows it to be a busy hive of industry, from cellar to attic. No room is wasted, and all space used is made to tell.
Inventions within a few years have given the opportunity to those lately starting in business, to
MILL OF THE WILLISTON & KNIGHT BUTTON COMPANY AT EASTHAMPTON.
-ties. Eight or ten years later button machines were invented and used at Haydenville, till finally the machine-made goods superceded those made by hand.
In 1847 Mr. Williston purchased Mr. Hayden's in- terest in the business, and during the following year it was restored to and established in Easthampton, where it has since been conducted, first by the firm of Samnel Williston & Co., second by the National Button Company, and now by the Williston & Knight Co., a corporation organized under the Gen- eral Statutes of Massachusetts.
This was the first manufacturing industry estab- lished in Easthampton requiring buildings and power, and it was quickly followed by others of
a high degree of excellence in its products, which enables it to maintain a leading position in this industry. It also manufactures, in another factory, the much nsed vegetable ivory buttons, which are sold with other goods in its New York store and by its representatives in all the principal cities of the United States and Canada. A button is a very little thing, but the industry in its various branches gives employment with fair wages to many thou- sand persons and amounts to several million dollars per annum.
Horatio G. Knight, who has been general mana- ager of this business many years and is president and treasurer of the Williston & Knight company, was first employed by Mr. Williston, as a boy of
take advantage of late and greatly improved machinery and we find Mr. Colton's floors filled with looms of modern invention, some of them made to his own special order and combining the latest appliances of labor saving machine movements. A new Porter engine of twenty-five horse power iuns the machinery, and a steam pump supplies water to one of Coghlan's best boilers.
A study of this establishment shows a great variety of goods in process of manufacture, and, as a matter of fact, there is a greater diversity of rubber fabrics produced here than at any other similar estab- lishment in the country, all the way from the common smallest ronnd elastic band to the softest silk covered goods and heavy truss web.
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