Knox County TN Archives History - Books .....Manufacturing Interests - Chapter XI 1900 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tn/tnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com August 30, 2005, 8:01 pm Book Title: Standard History Of Knoxville CHAPTER XI. MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. Some of the Earlier Industries—Cotton Once a Staple Crop—S. T. Atkin, One of the Pioneers in Manufacturing—Growth and Multiplication of Industries—Extensive Marble Industries—Iron Mills—Brook-side Cotton Mills—Knoxville Woolen Mills—Furniture—Telephone System. THE manufacturing interests of Knoxville are of late years becoming more important. This indicates a prosperous agricultural community in the immediate vicinity, widely extended exportations of manufactured goods and the growth of towns and cities, for it is only in a country where civilization is or is becoming complex that manufactures can flourish to any great extent. Various industries were started as soon as Knoxville became a town. There were soon several blacksmith shops and there was also a goldsmith and jeweler, who in addition to what such a tradesman would carry on at the present day, advertised that he made "rifle guns in the neatest and most approved fashion." One of the early industries of Knoxville was a tanyard, established in 1793, on Second creek by Lord & McCoy, and in 1795 a saddler's shop was established by John and Robert Hunter. In 1796 John Lavender opened a second shop of this kind. The number of tanyards gradually increased until in 1830 there were five: One owned by 'William Morrow on First creek where it is crossed by Cumberland street; one almost directly across the street, owned by John Webb: one owned by Robert Lindsey at the east end of Clinch street, and there was one on Second creek operated by Rutherford & White. As it is perfectly natural to suppose, during the early history of the county and the city the early industrial establishments would be such as were needed to supply the means of existence and comfort, as the people had to live and to clothe and protect themselves from the elements. Grist and saw mills were much in demand, and during the first eighteen months after the county court was organized, permits for the erection of these kinds of mills were numerous. They were in all cases run by water power, which was then more commonly employed than now. when steam has taken possession of almost all kinds of industries and methods of locomotion, either directly or indirectly. Domestic manufactures were then numerous, though carried on on a much smaller scale than afterward; but now almost wholly superseded by much larger concerns. In 1830, besides the five tanyards above mentioned, there were two spinning factories, ten wool carding machines, three saw mills, one brass foundry, six blacksmith shops, two cabinet makers, three hatters, six saddlers, eight shoemakers, one tinner, two coach makers and two wagon makers. The brass foundry was operated by William Morse, the foundry standing on Second creek near Churchwell street, and Mr. Morse also operated a spinning factory and a blacksmith shop. The other spinning factory was operated by Nathaniel Bosworth, a little higher up the creek, and here there were employed from fifteen to twenty hands. It remained in operation until 1838. William Oldham in 1833 built a cotton spinning factory, which was located on First creek between Church and Cumberland streets, the machinery for which Mr. Oldham hauled across the Cumberland mountains from Lexington, Ky. This mill was operated exclusively by water power. In 1838 the mill dams were destroyed by a freshet, and Mr. Oldham removed his machinery to Blount county. It may be well to state that during the first twenty-five or thirty years of the history of Knox county, cotton was therein a staple crop. But it began to decline about 1820 and had entirely ceased by 1830. The first cotton gin about which anything is still remembered was erected by Calvin Morgan on Gay street near where the Insurance building now stands, and the second was built and operated on Second creek by Mr. McCulloch. The earliest wool carding machine in this vicinity was located on First creek about two miles above its mouth, set up by James Scott, and operated by him until the coming on of the Civil war. Another was run for a time near the site of Bosworth's factory;, mentioned above. In this connection it may be well to explain the decline of the water power, which up to 1838 was unusually abundant. Previous to that time the town was confined almost exclusively to the territory between First and Second creeks and the Flag pond and Hoist on river, and was almost entirely surrounded by water. Flag pond occupied the depression now occupied by the tracks of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia railroad, now the Southern railway, and in 1838 the cutting down of the dams drained the ponds, and thus destroyed to a considerable extent the water power. Flag pond was looked upon for a number of years as a menace to the health of the town, and was frequently under the consideration of the board of health. On First creek, prior to the cutting down of the dams, there were three mill ponds within the space of half a mile, the upper one, known as White's pond, extending north and northeast for more than a mile. On Second creek there were two large ponds of this kind, and while the dams were afterward to some extent restored, yet there has not since 1838 been anywhere near as much water power. Since steam, has been generally introduced water power is not so popular. In 1838 a paper mill was erected at Middlebrook by Gideon M. Hazen and M. D. Bearden. It was about three and a half miles above the town, and was run about seven months in the year by water power, and the rest of the year by water and steam power combined. It was continued in operation until 1886, when the breaking of the dam caused its suspension. In 1850, a small oil mill was built on Second creek by F. A. R. Scott. In 1851 Mr. Scott opened a tannery in connection therewith, and in 1853 sold the entire establishment to M. B. McMahan, who operated the tannery until 1860, when he was succeeded by an incorporated company. During the Civil war John S. Van Gilder, who was then largely engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, obtained control of the tannery, and was joined in 1865 by Mr. Scott. These two gentlemen continued to run it under the name of the Knoxville Leather company until 1890. In 1853 the first large manufacturing establishment ever seen in Knoxville was started. It was a machine shop located at the corner of Broad street and the railroad and was erected by A. L. Maxwell, who came here from New York in 1852. This machine shop was erected for the purpose of supplying the iron work for bridges, which the firm of Maxwell, Briggs & Co., of which Mr. A. L. Maxwell was the senior member, was then erecting largely throughout the Southern states. The shop under consideration went into operation in 1853 with somewhat more than 200 hands. In 1855, finding that the bridge material could be more advantageously handled from Richmond, Va., an interest in the establishment was sold to some Vermont parties, and the Knoxville Manufacturing company was formed for the purpose of building engines, boilers, etc., which business was carried on until near the beginning of the war. In 1852 a foundry and stove factory was erected on Second creek by Williams. Moffett & Co., near the site of the Knoxville Leather company's works, and this foundry carried on quite an extensive business for some time. In 1856 the establishment was transferred to Shepard, Leeds & Hoyt. who in 1854 had built a foundry and car works where the railroad shops now stand. The capital of this firm was about $20.000 and they employed some twenty hands. They were engaged m the manufacture of cars, car wheels, plows and agricultural implements generally. Later Mr. A. L. Maxwell purchased the interests of these gentlemen, and by 1861 had become the sole proprietor of the business, which he carried on until the siege of 1863, when the entire plant was destroyed by fire. Clark, Quaife & Co. in 1867 erected a small foundry for the manufacture of stoves, hollow ware, etc., and later added thereto the manufacture of car wheels, becoming in 1873 the Knoxville Car Wheel company, with a capital stock of $57,000, and having as officers A. L. Maxwell, president, and Harvey Clark, secretary and treasurer. This company was located on Jacksboro street, and the manufacture of car wheels was for quite a number of years the exclusive business of the works. They purchased 30,000 acres of land in Carter county, which contained large quantities of brown hematite iron ore, known as among the best ores anywhere to be found. For the first eight or ten years of this company's existence the wheels turned out by them bore a reputation for excellence second to none made elsewhere in this country. In June, 1881, Charles H. Brown became secretary and treasurer, and in July, 1881. D. A. Carpenter became president, succeeding Mr. Maxwell, and being himself succeeded in the later eighties by Charles H. Brown, who remained president then during the company's existence. In 1883 a machine shop was added to the plant in Knoxville, and in 1886 the company making at this factory soft castings for cars, engines, gearing, pulleys, etc., with the view of enlarging and diversifying their product as much as possible, and of making the Knoxville Car Wheel works one of the leading industries in the land; but as additional money was needed to carry out this plan, a heavy mortgage was placed upon the property, and as it was at length found impracticable to manage the business, owing in part, perhaps, to the increasing stringencies of the times, the works ceased to operate, and the property was sold in the winter of 1898-99 in chancery court. Since then the buildings have been leased to and occupied by the Clark Foundry company, formerly located on Hardee street, the property of the latter being now occupied by the Knoxville foundry. The Clark Foundry and Machine company was organized in 1881, with H. W. Clark president and Simpson Cornick secretary and treasurer. The works are located at the corner of Hardee and Hume streets, and make a specialty of mill machinery, though all kinds of machines and castings are made. The company employs about sixty hands and turns out about ten tons of finished product per day. At these works nearly all the work of the Knoxville division of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia railroad is done. Mr. Clark has had many years of experience in his particular line, having learned his trade in his youth in one of the Northern states. W. J. Savage began business in Knoxville in 1885 as a manufacturer of roller flouring mill machinery and marble mill machinery, on the Knoxville and Ohio railroad near the Knoxville Car Wheel works, but only in a small way, employing only six men. In 1889 he was succeeded by the Knoxville Supply company, composed of himself, Samuel Marfield and Henry Brandau, this company continuing the manufacture of the same line until 1892, in which year they were succeeded by the present firm. Savage & Tyler, composed of W. J. Savage and J. C. Tyler, the business being removed in 1893 to its present location on Cumberland street and Second creek. The company here continue to build roller mill machinery, setting up mills complete in several of the Southern states. The Southern Car company was organized in 1881 with a capital stock of $50,000 for the purpose of manufacturing freight and mining cars of all kinds. The works were located on the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia railroad, just west of the city limits, and there were employed from 125 to 150 men. They manufactured from eight to ten cars per clay, continuing the work in Knoxville until 1893. when they removed to Lenoir City, the name of the company at the same time being changed to the Lenoir City Car company. S. T. Atkin, one of the earlier manufacturers of Knoxville, began business here as a tinner and stove man in 1844, and in 1860 purchased a saw mill which had been erected by Churchwell & Harris in 1854 or 1855. This mill he kept until 1867, having in the meantime bought other saw mills, being engaged in the meantime in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and all kinds of woodwork. In the year 1862 he made a contract with the Confederate government to supply that government with all the iron he could make for two years; and as there were so many people dying and being killed he turned his sash, door and blinds establishment into a coffin factory, in this line having as a partner L. C. Shepard for about a year. In 1863 the Federal army took possession of Knoxville, and his contract with the Confederate government became valueless, but upon the request of the Federal authorities Mr. Atkin made iron of various kinds, such as bar iron, horse shoes and wagon tires for them until 1865, when the war closed, and he sold his factory in 1866 to L. C. Shepard, H. S. Chamberlain, David Richards and others, and it became the property in 1868 of the Knoxville Iron company, a history of which is elsewhere printed in this chapter. In the wood working department which was located on First creek, Mr. Atkin went on manufacturing lumber into various forms and also engaged in building houses, putting up more of this kind of buildings in the city than had any man up to that time, the houses built by him being both frame and brick. For the manufacture of brick Mr. Atkin had two or three brick yards, located at various points both inside and outside of the city limits. In the meantime, having a large amount of lumber on hand. Mr. Atkin engaged in the manufacture of furniture, lumber being quite low in price, and furniture being in demand. His furniture factory was located on Gay street between Main and Cumberland streets, extending back from Gay to State street. This line of manufacture he continued to carry on until 1887, when he turned the business over to his sons. F. S. and C. B. Atkin, each of whom is now engaged in a separate and distinct line of the business. Mr. Atkin himself then retired altogether from active business, except so far as the management of his own private affairs is concerned, with which he is still engaged. S. T. Atkin sold his business to his sons March 3, 1886, they continuing the business under the name of S. T. Atkin & Co. about one year. From this time on until 1889 the two sons conducted the retail part of the business at the present location of Hall & Hawkins under the firm name of C. B. Atkin & Co., and the manufacturing portion of it under the name of F. S. Atkin & Co. In 1889 the brothers dissolved partnership, Frank S. Atkin taking the retail part and conducting it under his own name, C. B. Atkin taking the factory, continuing on in the manufacture of furniture but gradually changing to the manufacture of mantels. At first he was making about five per cent of his material into mantels, and the rest into furniture, while now the proportions are almost precisely reversed, the product of the factory consisting of five per cent furniture and ninety-five per cent mantels. Mr. Atkin's factory consists of two three-story and basement buildings, and he has a large lumber yard, all on the old site, between Main and Cumberland streets, and extending from Gay to State. Here he employs about ninety hands, and the manufactured goods are sold in every state in the Union and are shipped to some foreign countries. The buildings now occupied are comparatively new. having been erected since the fire of 1893, which destroyed the old ones, and which was probably the largest fire in the history of Knoxville up to that time. Frank S. Atkin & Co. established their present business in 1896, at the northeast corner of Gay and Church streets, the business consisting of the manufacture of hat racks, and the partner of Mr. Atkin being Samuel McKinney. Hat racks of all styles and sizes are made, and about thirty-five hands are employed, the products turned out being shipped to every state in the Union and to several foreign countries. Frank H. Post & Co. The wagon and carriage works now owned and controlled by this firm were established in 1870 by S. T. Post, father of Frank H. Post, with onlv one employe, Mr. Post himself working at the forge. He afterward admitted his son to partnership under the name of S. T. Post & Son. A few years later they took in Mr. C. N. Simmons, and the firm name became Post, Simmons & Co., under which the business was carried on until 1886, when Frank H. Post bought the interest of Mr. Simmons and also that of his father, continuing the business in his own name until 1889, when he admitted Mr. R. A. Keller, the name of the firm for the next two years being Post & Keller. At the end of this time Mr. Post bought out Mr. Keller, and soon afterward admitted R. W. Barton, since which time the name of the firm has been Frank H. Post & Co. The business carried on by this firm is that of manufacturing wagons, carriages and other vehicles, and has grown from the making of from two to three wagons and a small repair business until at the present time they are doing an annual business of about $10,000 in repair work and $20,000 in new work. They are doing a very wide range of work, consisting of farm and log wagons, moving cars, side seated passenger hacks, large and small transfer wagons, grocery and laundry wagons, delivery wagons, oil tank wagons, market garden wagons, spring wagons, buckboards, buggies, phaetons, and carriages. From thirty to thirty-five men are employed. Sheridan & Quincy began the manufacture of wagons in Knoxville in 1885. Their shop at that time was on State street and was from the first well equipped with all necessary machinery. They made carriages as well as wagons, to the aggregate number of about 500 per year. In farm wagons their specialty was the "Dixie," very popular throughout the state and adjoining states. Both gentlemen were experienced workmen, learning their respective trades in Rochester. N. Y., Mr. Sheridan having charge of the wood and iron department and Mr. Quincy of the paint shop. Mr. Quincy retired from the business in the year 1892, since which time Mr. Sheridan has conducted the establishment himself. It was formerly located at 707 and 709 Central avenue, but now, as the Quincy Carriage Company, is located on Vine street. The Knoxville Buggy Works were established in March, 1885, by C. Geiger and were managed by James A. Nisonger. The company was engaged in the manufacture of light wagons, buggies and carriages for the local trade. Later the proprietors of these works were T. T. Goodall & Co., who made an extension to the business, erected new shops and employed from twenty-five to thirty hands. The Knoxville Ice Company's business was started in 1876 by J. C. Mustard, but only on a small scale and as an experiment. Mr. Mustard was so successful, however, that in 1881 the company above named was organized with a capital of $40,000. New buildings were erected, the most improved machinery obtainable was put in and other improvements made, with the view of making the business extensive as well as successful. The factory of this company is located at No. 204 Cumberland street, the works having a capacity of thirty tons per day, and the product being sold not only in Knoxville, but largely throughout East Tennessee. The water used in the manufacture of ice by this company is obtained from a large spring and is distilled before being frozen. The officers of the company at the present time are Peter Kern, president; Ignaz Fanz, secretary and treasurer, and Jackson L. Stewart, general manager. The Crystal Ice company was organized in 1887 by Knoxville capitalists, and with a capital of $40,000. The works are located in North Knoxville and have a capacity of thirty-two tons per day. The water used by this company is obtained from the celebrated Moses spring, and the machinery is of the Columbus Iron works pattern. The officers are G. M. Harrill, president, and H. W. Lynn, secretary and treasurer. The works are located at the corner of Sixth avenue and Grainger street, and the office is at No. 315 Clinch street. As has been elsewhere stated the marbles of Tennessee are remarkable for the fineness of their quality, and they are well known all over the United States. They are useful mainly for building purposes, for monuments and interior decorations. The marble business began in Hawkins county, extended thence into Blount county, then into adjoining counties, and finally to Knox county. The business so rapidly increased that in 1890 there were twenty-two quarries in operation and three large mills engaged in sawing and polishing the marble taken out. In 1892 the amount of business in this article reached nearly if not quite $1,000,000, the number of hands employed by the various firms was nearly 1,000, and the wages paid to them being about $375,000 per year. Marble is found along all the railroads running into Knoxville, and sales are held every year by the leading dealers, train loads being frequently made up for the larger centers of distribution. The Knoxville Marble company was organized July 11, 1873, the members of the company at the time being William Patrick, president; George W. Ross, secretary and treasurer; James Patrick and J. H. Holman. This company purchased the old government quarry at the junction of the Holston and French Broad rivers, which they have operated ever since, where they now have three quarries on their sixty-five acres of land, where they employ regularly about seventy-five hands and take out each year about $100,000 worth of marble, which is of the finest quality. When polished it presents a most beautiful appearance and is used mainly for mantels and decorating purposes generally. The company runs four steam drills and two saw mills, each having two gangs of saws. The marble from these quarries is shipped to all parts of the country. In January, 1886, John M. Ross became president of the company. J. J. Craig & Co. operate four marble quarries about five miles to the northwest of Knoxville, the business being established in 1886 by John J. Craig, the present senior member of the firm. Mr. Craig has been one of the most active in the development of the marble business of the city of Knoxville. This company organized the Great Southern Marble company, with officers as follows: John J. Craig, president; John J. Craig, Jr., secretary and treasurer: W. B. McMullen, general manager, and T. M. Edington, superintendent of quarries. This company was succeeded by the John J. Craig Company, of which John J. Craig, Jr., is president, and J. B. Jones, secretary and treasurer. The office of the company is at No. 47 Deaderick building. The Phoenix Marble company was established in 1885 and incorporated with a capital stock of $20.000. This company operates quarries in Hawkins county, and a mill in Knoxville with three gangs of saws. At first the officers were John P. Beach, president, and Charles Pitman, secretary and treasurer. W. H. Evans & Son established themselves in business in Baltimore, Md., in 1867, and built the Knoxville mill in 1886, the mill being 480 x 60 feet in size and three stories high. It is located on the Knoxville and Ohio railroad and just north of Munson street. It is equipped with twenty gangs of saws, turning lathes, and machinery complete for handling Tennessee marble for all purposes for which it is used and is considered the best equipped mill in the United States. This firm also operates two mills in Baltimore and are the largest importers of foreign marble in this country. They are prepared to make estimates and to contract for any known marble product, and all the three mills of the company are well equipped with the machinery needed in the business. This firm has furnished and set in place the interior marble work for most of the largest buildings in the country, for example the Italian marble in the new Congressional Library building in the city of Washington, the Tennessee and Italian marble in the Masonic Temple in Chicago, and in the Public Library in the same city, and also in any number of other buildings, public and private, throughout every state in the Union. The mill in the city of Knoxville is under the management of J. E. Willard as superintendent, and there are here employed about 350 men the year round, they being engaged in quarrying the raw material and in finishing it and in many cases setting it in the buildings complete. The officers of this company are W. H. Evans, president; C. R. Evans, vice-president, and S. M. Wellner, secretary and treasurer. The East Tennessee Stone and Marble company was incorporated in 1889, with the following incorporators: J. E. Hart, R. Z. Roberts, C. M. Funck and C. T. Stephenson, and was organized in 1890 with the following officers: J. E. Hart, president, treasurer and general manager; C. M. Funck, secretary. The mill is located at the junction of the K. C. G. & L. railroad and the E. T. V. & G. railroad, and it is here that the manufacture of marble and its finishing for interior decoration is carried on. There are two large buildings fully equipped with machinery of every description needed in the business, such as six gangs of saws, lathes, planers, and air tools. One hundred men are employed on the average, the marble being shipped to every state in the Union. Contracts are taken by this company for the finishing of building's anywhere in the country, and their workmanship may be seen in some of the finest buildings in the land, notably in the Blackstone Memorial Library building in Branford, Conn., the third largest and finest library building' in the United States, being surpassed only by the Congressional Library building at Washington, and the Public Library building at Chicago. Among the numerous buildings for which this company supplied the marble are the following: St. Nicholas Hotel in St. Louis, and the Chicago Historical Society's library building in Chicago. The officers at the present time are the same as at the beginning. The Tennessee Producers Marble company has for several years been engaged in the production of marble of Tennessee. About ten years ago Mr. W. B. McMullen, who had for years been actively engaged in quarrying marble and in selling it, interested other parties and organized a stock company. The success resulting led to the re-organization of the company in 1894. Eastern capitalists becoming interested, and quickly perceiving the desirability of investment in the marble industry in Tennessee. A large factory and mill for sawing and finishing the product of the company's quarries were built, and now this is the largest in Knoxville of its kind, and the firm is engaged in shipping its marble in its rough and also in its finished state to all parts of the country. This marble is used for finishing the interior as well as the exterior of buildings and is now being shipped even to foreign countries. This company has furnished the marble for the interior of the post office building in Washington, D. C, and several large buildings in the West. Their large plant was constantly busy during the years of the panic from 1893 to l897, and it is equipped for a large increase in business, which the company believes is fast approaching. This company handles Tennessee marble exclusively, their quarries being situated in Knox, Blount and Hawkins counties, and they have such strong faith in the future of Tennessee marble that they urge its use in all cases in preference to foreign marble. In addition to their other lines they do a large business in cemetery lines. The mill is located on the Middlebrook street car line at the junction of University avenue and Seventeenth street. The present officers of the company are as follows: W. B. McMullen, president; E. R. Morse, treasurer, and B. L. Pease, superintendent. The first attempt to manufacture iron and rolling mill products in Knoxville was made by the Confederate authorities during the Civil war, but from lack of skilled workmen this attempt was a failure. The machinery used in this attempt was confiscated at Loudon, Tenn., and moved to Knoxville. Soon after the occupation of the city by the Union army an attempt to operate this mill was made by H. S. Chamberlain, a quartermaster in the army, but his attempt was likewise a failure. After the close of hostilities John H. Jones, one of the owners of the mill, came to Knoxville and then a company was formed, composed of himself, S. T. Atkin, L. C. Shepherd and H. S. Chamberlain, the mill being put in operation by them. Soon afterward Mr. Jones sold his interest to D. and J. Richards and T. D. Lewis, men of extensive experience in the iron business, and a company was organized under the name of Chamberlain, Richards & Co. At first this company had considerable difficulty in carrying on their business, raw material costing a great deal and being hard to obtain. Coal was brought by them to Knoxville by boat in the winter season, and in the summer season by wagons, at a cost of fifty cents per bushel, that brought in the winter coming from Emory Gap, that brought in the summer from Winter’s Gap. In 1867 a mine of coal was opened at Coal creek under the direction of D. Thomas, and in the fall of that year the first car load o-f coal was brought into Knoxville over the Knoxville and Ohio railroad. The Knoxville Iron company was incorporated in 1868 with an authorized capital of $150,000, and was organized February 1 that year with the following board of directors and officers: H. S. Chamberlain, president; W. R. Tuttle, secretary; H. S. Chamberlain, treasurer, and Joseph Richards, general manager, the other directors being Daniel Thomas, David Richards, Thomas D. Lewis and William Richards. February 27, 1871, Mr. Chamberlain resigned as president of this company to accept a similar position with the Roane Iron company of Chattanooga, and on March 20 following the capital stock of the Knoxville Iron company was increased to $200,000. Up to this time the old buildings formerly in use by Mr. S. T. Atkin, elsewhere referred to as an iron manufacturer during the war of the Rebellion, were in use, but now a new building was erected, and in 1873 still another mill was erected to accommodate the growing business of the company. A nail factory was added in 1875, which was operated for several years, but is not now in use. At the beginning of the company's existence the works were operated to manufacture finished bar iron, muck iron and a few sizes of round and square iron, only one train of rolls being in use. When the new mill was erected it included an eighteen-inch nail plate train, a sixteen-inch bar mill, and an eight-inch band mill. The nail factory contained forty-two nail machines and had an output of 70,000 to 75,000 kegs of nails per year. This factory was closed in 1890, and has not since been in use. A foundry and machine shop was decided upon in 1891. Within the last two years the mill has been limited to the production of bar iron of all kinds, from one-fourth inch to four and a half inch round and square; flats from five-eighths, No. 16, to 6 x 1 1/2, graduating by 1/8 of an inch, light channel iron, other shapes and small "T"' rails, for use in mines. The mill is now equipped throughout with modern machinery, such as gas furnaces, gas producers, etc., by which the output of the works has since 1895 been increased about fifty per cent, and they now have a capacity of from 15.000 to 18,000 tons per year, of finished material. About 200 men are employed in the mill. This company began mining coal in Anderson county in 1868, and continued operations at Coal creek until January 1, 1897. The mines were operated with free labor until July, 1878, when in consequence of strikes and other labor disturbances it was found necessary to employ labor that could be relied upon, hence the employment of convict labor in the mines, which was continued from July, 1878, to July, 1896. During this time the miners took exception to the use of convict labor and by force they were liberated twice, and it was necessary to station a military force at the mines to protect the company in the use of the state convicts, this standing army, being present at the mines for eighteen months. Since July, 1896, the company has again been employing free labor, and they are now the largest shippers of bituminous coal in this section of the country, their coal being shipped to all parts of Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, to an aggregate amount of from 200,000 to 250,000 tons. This company is the only one in the state using electricity in the mining of coal. The officers of the company have been as follows: Presidents—H. S. Chamberlain, elected in 1868; David Richards, in 1871; H. S. Chamberlain, in 1872; William S. Mead, in 1874; W. R. Tuttle, in 1875; James R. Ogden, in 1888, serving until his death in 1891; O. A. Brown in 1892, and the present incumbent of the office, W. P. Chamberlain, in 1895. Vice-presidents—W. R. Tuttle, elected in 1872; W. S. Mead, in 1874; John B. Johnson, 1874; W. S. Mead, 1875; O. A. Brown, 1891; E. J. Sanford, 1892; T. I. Stephenson, in 1895. Secretaries—W. R. Tuttle. elected in 1868; James B. Johnson, in 1872; W. S. Mead, 1873; James B. Johnson, 1874; W. H. Van Benschoten, 1874; W. S. Mead, 1880; O. A. Brown, 1886; T. I. Stephenson, 1891; O. A. Brown, 1895. Treasurers—H. S. Chamberlain, elected in 1868; W. R. Tuttle, in 1871; W. S. Mead, 1874: O. A. Brown, 1886. General Managers—Joseph Richards, elected in 1868; David Richards, in 1870, serving until 1875, when a committee was appointed to select the heads of the several departments. In 1895 T. I. Stephenson became general manager, and still holds the position. This company has recently made a rich discovery in the coal field in the shape of a vein of coal of superior quality five and a half feet thick, a solid vein with rock above and below. Here there is no mining seam composed of slate, dirt, etc., but instead seams of cannel coal of such thickness as to amount to about one-third of the thickness of the entire vein, which renders the Cross Mountain coal particularly desirous for domestic purposes. H. O. Nelsen manufactures iron and steel fences of all kinds, his works being located on the Maryville railroad track near Asylum street. Formerly they located at "Valley Forge," and are still known as the Valley Forge Fence works. In 1873 Mr. Nelsen moved to his present location, where he set up new machinery of a larger pattern, and increased the number of hands employed and the output from his works, which now amounts to about $60,000 per year. He is now devoting his energies to the production of wrought steel fences of various patterns and for all purposes, and has recently adopted new names for several of his leading styles of fence, as "Taylor," "Shafter," "Grant," "Sampson," "Lee," "Dewey," "Schley," "Hobson," etc. Dempsters Machine shop is located at No. 114 East Main street, and was established in 1886 by James Dempster, who has manufactured a few engines, but found that manufacturing engines on a small scale did not prove profitable. He also in the past carried on the manufacture of machinery, steam pumps, etc., on a small scale, but has abandoned all kinds of manufacturing, and devotes his works and energies now exclusively to repairs. On the average he employs about four men in doing such repair work as comes to his shop. His is the old McClannahan mill, established many years ago, and which later became the property of Major R. R. Swepson, who owned it for some time and then sold it to the Champion Manufacturing company, which sold out to Mr. Dempsey in 1889, who, from the time he began in business in 1886, to 1889, was located near Nelsen's Valley Forge Fence works. Fair, Day & DeKlyne's Foundry and Pattern shop, which is located on Jacksboro street beyond the Brookside mills, and close to the Knoxville and Ohio railroad, were established in 1880 by Fair & Day. In 1890 the works occupied about one and a half acres of ground on Second creek, which creek furnished them water power. Generally speaking Tennessee iron is used by these works, and about twenty-five men are employed. The product is principally house work, machine castings, hardware finding's, fronts and grates. Sash weights are also made at these works. At present the name of the company is the Fair-Day Foundry company, the officers of which are David C. Richards, president; A. B. Day, vice-president and superintendent, and J. B. Fair, secretary and treasurer. The annual output of the works is about $30,000. The Enterprise Machine works, situated on Chamberlain street near the brewery, were established in 1886 by D. C. Richards and Sons (W. P., A. T. and Roger P., the latter of whom died February 23, 1898). At these works are manufactured engines of all sizes from six up to 500 horse power, and both stationary and portable, heavy castings, hoisting machinery and derricks. Repairs of all kinds are made in these works, including the repair of locomotives, a new building having been erected for this special work during 1898. A new fourteen-foot boring machine was also put in during this year, which weighs twenty-eight tons, the cost of this machine being $4,000. Mr. Richards has been a resident of Knoxville since 1869, and is considered one of the most skillful and practical machinists in the place. The Enterprise Foundry company was formed March 1, 1897, by R. R. Shipman, Calvin George and Len George, each of whom had at the time $33. They began in a small way in Skate's Furnace buildings, with the three men besides themselves, they being practical workmen and all taking hold with a determination to succeed. Their business grew so rapidly that it became necessary in April, 1898, to move to their present location, on the Knoxville and Ohio railroad, and nearly opposite the Brookside cotton mills. These buildings had been occupied by Roy & Armstrong. Here the business has grown far more rapidly than they at first dared to anticipate, and they now employ on the average twenty-four men, and are turning out about $2,000 worth of work per month. At first they made all kinds of shop castings, but have recently added a full line of stoves, five different kinds, the "Knoxville Dixie," every part of which is made in Knoxville, even to the nickel plating: the "Marble City," and three kinds of heating stoves, called the "Big Seven." They also make fire fronts and grate baskets. The machinery in this foundry is propelled by a twenty-five horse-power engine. There have always been grist mills in Knoxville and its vicinity since Gen. James White erected his "tub mill" near the town. After his son, Moses White, built a mill on First creek near the crossing of Mabry street. John Craighead built a mill at the crossing of Main street, and about 1820 Rufus Morgan built one on the same creek. In 1830 there were three grist mills in Knoxville, all owned and operated by James and William Kennedy. And James Scott had a grist mill about two miles up the creek. In 1855 a large steam flouring mill was erected on the site of the Knoxville rolling mill by M. N. Williams, but it was soon afterward burned down. It was succeeded by the Knoxville City mills, located on Broad street, and abandoned in 1880. In 1858 F. A. R. Scott and J. C. Deaderick erected on First creek what was for many years throughout this part of the South known as the "Trio Mill," which has been since then in continuous operation, and has for many years been as widely and well known for the many excellent brands of flour produced. The mill was remodeled in 1884, and fully equipped with the then latest roller process machinery. The most noted brands of flour manufactured at this mill are the "Magnolia," "Silver Leaf," "Choice," "Famous" and "Little Valley Family." One of the specialties of this mill is water ground corn meal, and other products used as feed, all of which are extensively sold throughout East Tennessee and surrounding states. From 1877 to 1893 this mill was conducted by Scott, Dempster & Co., but in the year last named Mr. Dempster retired, and from that time to 1895 it was conducted by Scott Bros. & Co., the firm consisting of James, David D., and F. A. R. Scott. Since 1895 it has been conducted by J. A. Scott under the name of the Scott Mill company. The Peters-Bradley Mill company was incorporated in 1891 with a capital stock of $20,000, and the following officers: G. W. Peters, president; T. J. Bradley, secretary and treasurer. The business conducted by this company was started in 1867 by Mr. Peters, on First creek, at the old Scott mill, about one-fourth of a mile above the location of the present mill, which is on First creek just below Broad avenue, and Mr. Peters continued to run it alone until 1879, when the business was removed to its present location, and took into partnership with himself in 1885, Mr. Bradley, who remained in the business until 1894. The officers of the company at the present time are G. W. Peters, president and general manager; L. J. Kearns, secretary, and D. L. Ross, treasurer. The roller process was put into these mills in 1884, and they now have a capacity of seventy-five barrels of flour per day, besides grinding meal and feed. Both water and steam power are used to an aggregate of sixty horse-power. Twelve hands are given employment, and the company is one of the solid concerns of Knoxville. The Lonsdale Mill company was incorporated May 28, 1890, the incorporators being W. B. Ragsdale, Leon Jourolmon. J. F. Ragsdale and E. L. Ragsdale. The purpose for which this company was incorporated was the manufacture of flour and other mill products. It was organized in 1890 with the following officers: President. Leon Jourolmon, and secretary, E. L. Ragsdale. The mill owned by this company is located two miles north of Knoxville on the Clinton pike, and is a four-story frame building above a basement, well-equipped with the latest roller machinery, with a capacity of 200 barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. The proprietors of the mill at the present time are T. S. Webb, Jr., and John Dempster. The principal brands of flour made at these mills are the "Sunrise," and "White Rose." The Knoxville City Mills company was incorporated in 1884 with a capital stock of $30,000, which was afterward increased to $100,000. The company erected a large flouring mill in 1885, having a capacity of 150 barrels of flour per day, which was increased in 1893 to 800 barrels per day. It is equipped with the most modern and finest machinery to be found in the country, and its products find sale throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. An elevator with a capacity of 50,000 bushels of grain was erected in connection with the mill, but it was destroyed by fire in June. 1886. Later another elevator having a capacity of 75,000 bushels was erected, and in 1898 three, steel elevators with an aggregate capacity of 100,000 bushels were built, so that at the present time the aggregate capacity of the four elevators is 175,000 bushels. The officers of this company are as follows: J. Allen Smith, president, and H. R. Goforth, secretary and treasurer. The Brookside Cotton mills were incorporated in November, 1885, and the mills were put in operation in 1886. The capital of the company at first was $150,000, and it was increased in 1895 to $500,000. The building first erected was two stories high and 78x210 feet in size. This building was enlarged in 1895 to a length of 350 feet, the width remaining the same. Another building was also added which is one story high and 400x175 feet in size, which is devoted exclusively to weaving. At first there were 6,000 spindles, but in 1895, when the enlargement of the plant took place the number of spindles was increased to 21,000, and the number of looms was increased at the same time from 176 to 650. The products of these mills consist entirely of brown sheetings of a grade suitable for domestic and foreign trade, and the annual amount has increased from 3,000,000 yards per annum in 1886 and up to 1895, to 12,000,000 yards, the latter quantity being worth about $750,000. The officers Xxxxxxxxxxxx p. 22 of this company have been as follows: W. R. Tuttle, president and treasurer up to 1895, and president to 1898, in which year James Maynard was chosen president; treasurer since 1895. Justin E. Gale; secretary from the beginning", W. S. Mead. A fine stone office building was erected in 1890. The Knoxville Woolen mills, one of the most substantial institutions of Knoxville, is the direct outgrowth of a single carding machine started twenty years agO' in McMinn county, Tenn., by the present vice-president and general manager of the company, Mr. R. P. Gettys. From that small beginning the present Knoxville Woolen mills is indebted for its existence. At the time stated Mr. Gettys added first two looms, and finding that the product of his small establishment was easily disposed of, he added fifteen more looms and still later added other looms to the aggregate number of sixty-five, the location of this mill being at Sanford, McMinn county. It was then determined to> remove to- Knoxville, that being thought a better place for a mill, and in 1884, April 14, the Knoxville Woolen mills was incorporated by R. P. Gettys. E. J. Sanford. James D. Cowan, Charles J. McClung and C. M. McGhee, the purpose of the incorporation, as expressed in their application for a charter, being to manufacture raw material by the aid of machinery into woolen goods and fabrics at their mills, which they located in Knoxville at the intersection of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia railroad and York street, the first mill of the present mammoth plant being- erected in 1885. Additional capital was raised and the building up of the plant began and continued until at the present time the mills have a floor space of about four and a half acres, and in them about 600 hands find employment. The entire plant is alive with machinery and work connected with the enterprise, many thousands of yards of cassimeres and jeans being made daily, about one-half of the mills being occupied in producing each fabric. While Mr. E. J. Sanford is president of the institution the immediate management and operation of the mills is under HISTORY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. 217 the direct charge of Mr. R. P. Gettys, vice-president and o-eneral manager, and Mr. ]. A. McKeklin, secretary and o o - ** *> treasurer. These gentlemen have proved themselves to be the right men in the right places, and under them the institution is greatly prosperous. The Knoxville Coffin company began business in a small way in 1884. and was incorporated in 1885 with the following officers: I. B. Ziegler, president; A. G. Mann, vice-president, and R. A. Keller, secretary and treasurer. Their factory was built on the Southern railroad near Sixth avenue. Here they have four buildings, two of them two stories high, the others one story high, and one of them being a steam dry kiln. The products of the factory, consisting of coffins, caskets and fine excelsior, are shipped to nearly every Southern state. The officers of the company at the present time are A. G. Mann, president; T. W. Keller, vice-president, and R. A. Keller, secretary and treasurer. The Unaka Soap Company was incorporated in 1888 with a capital stock of $50,000 in shares of Sioo. S. B. Luttrell was president of the company, and W. H. Simmonds, secretary and treasurer. The factory is located near the Knoxville and Ohio railroad, opposite the Brookside Cotton mills. This company operated the factory until 1890, and from that time until 1894 it was idle. In this year Mr. J. A. H. Bell came into possession of the property, and has since operated the factory. There are two buildings here, one of brick, sixty feet square and two stories high, and the other a frame building 40x120 teet. The kinds of soap .manufactured by this company are the "Reel Cross,'' a fine grade of laundry soap; the '''Best Yet," a cheaper grade of laundry soap; laundry chips, and a fine quality of toilet soap, called "Cocoa Castile.'' Of the laundry soaps the company makes about 1.200 boxes per month, and of the others a somewhat smaller quantity. S. A. Kidd has been foreman of this factory for the past two years. The Southern Trunk company was incorporated under the laws of the state of Tennessee with a capital of Si0,000, and 2i8 HISTORY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. organized November I. 1897, with the following" officers: W. C. Ingles, president: George M. White, secretary; D. W. White, treasurer, and Dr. A. P. White and S. H. McNutt the other directors. The company began business in East Knox-ville on the day of organization, remaining there until July i, 1898, when they removed to their present location on the southeast corner of Gay and Church streets. Here they manufacture trunks of various sizes, suit cases and traveling bags, emnlovinsr from fortv to nftv hands in the factory and three JL *f iJ J J * traveling salesmen. The business is now increasing quite rapidly, and the products of the factor)' find sale throughout all the Southern states. The Whittle Trunk company was established in October, 1895, by R. D. Whittle and O. H. Whittle, and it was incorporated in December, 1896, with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, and with R. D. Whittle as president and Z. T. John as secretary and treasurer. The business consists of the manufacture of trunks and sample cases, and was located from the beginning' until February 14, 1899, at 316-318 Jackson street. In July, 1898. the interest of the W hippies was purchased by J. G. Kincaid, who became president and manager of the concern, and still later the interest of Mr. John was purchased by John Bowman, of La Follette, at which time Mr. Bowman and J. G. and J. W. Kincaid became the proprietors. The business carried on was especially prosperous during the years 1897 and 1898. and until the fire of February 14, 1899, which caused the company a net loss of $4.000. At the present time, March I, 1899. tne plans of the company for the future have not been formulated, but they have a temporary office at 522 Gay street. The Knoxville Brick company was organized August 31, 1888. the first board of directors being D. A. Carpenter, G. J. Kinzel, C. E. Lucky, R. M. Rhea and W. H. Simmonds. A farm of 750 acres was purchased at Powell station, and a committee appointed for the purpose purchased the necessary machinery for making brick. Dunns; the first vear about HISTORY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. 219 8,000,000 common brick were made, but since then different varieties of brick have been manufactured, viz. : common brick, red pressed, ornamental, buff and gray front brick, and vitrified roadway and sidewalk brick. The works now have a capacity of 135,000 brick per day, and when times are good there have been manufactured by this company from 10.000.-ooo to 12,000.000 brick per year. The officers at the present time are D. A. Carpenter, president; AY. H. Fizer, vice-president; A. F. Sanford, secretary and treasurer, and the other members of the board of directors are E. J. Sanford. C. E. Luckey, R. M. Rhea and Matthew McClung. The Jones Brick company was organized in 1890, by Reps Jones, president; W. L. Russell, secretary and treasurer. J. F. Pate, Bartow Smith and R. X. Hood. The company purchased twentv acres of round immediately south of the Ten- o nessee river at Knoxville. where they began making- brick and carried the business on largely until the coming on of the panic of 1893, making from 7,000.000 to 8,000,000 brick per year. Since then, though the business has always been successful, it has not yet reached its former proportions, but the number manufactured now is about 3,000,000 per year. Both common and pressed brick are made by this company, the officers of which at the present time are J. R. McCallum, president, and J. W. McCallum, secretary and treasurer. The New Knoxville Brewing company was organized as the Knoxville Brewing company in 1886. in which year their brewerv- was established with every necessary for a successful business. It is located at No. 613 McGhee street, at the corner of Chamberlain street, occupying a front on the latter street of 250 feet and on the former of 150 feet, and has an "L" extending 200 feet along Chamberlain street. The buildings consist of a four-story brick, comprising besides the brewer}- proper, a malt and bottling department, refrigerator cellars, stables, etc. Its refrigerator apparatus is of the largest pattern in the country, and the company purchases the finest malt and hops to be anywhere found either in this 220 HISTORY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. country or in Germany, and employs about forty hands, producing some 25,000 barrels of beer per year. The capital of the company is $50,000. and the officers are Mathew Semi, president; William Meyer, vice-president, and H. S. Mizner, treasurer, and A. A. Rothmann, secretary. The products of this brewery are shipped to all parts of East Tennessee, Southern Kentucky. North Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Two different brands of bottled beer are made here, viz.: "XX pale'' and Export Lager. In 1896 an artesian well was drilled on the premises, 2,100 feet deep, with a capacity of 360 gallons per minute and a temperature of 58 degrees. The machinery- is all of the most modern styles and patterns, the best that could be purchased, and is propelled by steam engines aggregating two hundred horsepower. D. M. Rose & Co., who own one of the largest sawmills in operation in the vicinity of Knoxville, established themselves in this business in 1876, in Sevier county. In 1880 they removed to Knoxville, erecting a small mill on the south side of the Tennessee river, near the bridge. Since then their business has become very extensive and they now have a capacity of 50,000 feet of lumber per day. They are also engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. The members of the company at the present time are Daniel M. Rose, Thomas H. Rose, John M. Pitner and William A. Pitner. The Scottish Carolina Timber and Land Company was organized in 1888. with a capital stock of $1,000,000, and in 1889 completed a mill having a capacity of 50.000 feet of lumber per day. This mill was set up on the Tennessee river, a short distance below the Knoxville & Augusta railroad bridge, now the Atlanta, Knoxville & Northern. This company owned large tracts of timber in East Tennessee. In 18/3 Howe Brothers began the business of manufacturing furniture in Knoxville, continuing until 1876, when thev were succeeded bv William Caswell & Co. This firm HISTORY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. 221 carried on the business until 1880, when S. B. Boyd, proprietor of a carpet store, consolidated his business with that of the furniture manufacturing- firm. Mr. Boyd's department became an extensive retail house furnishing establish-