Randolph County AlArchives News.....Rock Mills Factory Fire May 4, 1881
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Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 March 2, 2023, 2:32 am

The Atlanta Constitution May 4, 1881
One of the of the disastrous and destructive scenes that ever happen in the 
county occurred here on Saturday night April 30. The entire mills belonging to 
Rock Mills Manufacturing Company was consumed by fire. The building was of wood 
and the flames were not long in reducing it to a disastrous ruin of ashes. The 
fire was first discovered in picker rooms about 7 o'clock pm, some four or five 
hours after the operatives had dispersed. Every endeavor was made to save it but 
without avail between seventy-five and one hundred operatives are thrown out of 
employment and some three or four hundred persons here today know not where they 
will get their bread tomorrow. The mills were set fire some time ago by some 
dastardly coward and malicious person but were saved from the flames by mere 
accident. This time the flagitious deed was well performed and the entire inside 
of one of the buildings was consumed before it was discovered. The calamity is 
supposed to be the work of an incendiary. The watchman who but a short time had 
left the building had crossed over into the village and was making his round 
among the stores when the alarm of fire was given. He was doubtless watched and 
as soon as one the fatal work bad commenced. Yesterday was spent in fasting and 
prayer imploring God a mercies and protection over the widows and orphans of the 
village. Loss between $60000 and $75000 no insurance. 

Ledger-Enquirer Jun 19, 1881:
A short time since published the particulars of the burning of Rock Mills 
factory in Randolph County Alabama. It is now stated that the mills will be 
rebuilt with three times the capacity of the old one. Noting this fact and wi-h 
the object of trying to stimulate capitalists to start a similar enterprise at 
Talladega. The Reporter makes the following succinct and comprehensive notice of 
some of the benefits of cotton factories It says: "This little item tells a 
story that our people should note it shows that the stock in cotton factories is 
profitable That those who have tried the experiment are willing to reinvest 
promptly The farmer often pays but do not make his 8 percent The best managed 
banking establishments do not average 12 per cent The merchant makes a larger 
per cent but when he deducts his losses the profits won't average at all. The 
iron interest pays handsomely yet the most successful of these won't pay the 
steady regular income of a cotton factory. We speak by the card in making this 
statement having reliable information from our best establishment. It is also a 
mooted question whether all things considered steam cannot be made as cheap and 
reliable a motive power as water. Cotton factories are not only exceedingly 
profitable in the south, but they are usual to the communities in which they are 
built it. They give employment to women and children who need it and thus 
greatly improve the general condition of the country. We need not go into 
figures nor lengthy arguments to prove the value of cotton factories in the 
south the place of all others where they can be operated to the best advantage."

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