Knox County TN Archives History - Books .....Manufacturing Interests - Chapter XI 1900
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Book Title: Standard History Of Knoxville
CHAPTER XI.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
Some of the Earlier IndustriesCotton Once a Staple CropS. T. Atkin, One of the
Pioneers in ManufacturingGrowth and Multiplication of IndustriesExtensive
Marble IndustriesIron MillsBrook-side Cotton MillsKnoxville Woolen
MillsFurnitureTelephone 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 Winters 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:
PresidentsH. 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-presidentsW. 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.
SecretariesW. 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.
TreasurersH. S. Chamberlain, elected in 1868; W. R. Tuttle, in 1871; W. S.
Mead, 1874: O. A. Brown, 1886.
General ManagersJoseph 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-
<j
ment, and this arrangement lasted until 1886, when the partnership was
dissolved, Mr. Caswell retaining the manufacturing department and Mr. Boyd his
own peculiar line. The latter then associated with himself John M. Allen, R. J.
Stevenson and S. B. Boyd, Jr., and carried on the business under the firm name
of Boyd, Allen & Co.
The Standard Handle Company was incorporated in 1881 with a capital stock of
S6o.ooo. All kinds of handles are manufactured by this firm, hickory being- the
kind of timber mainly used. Formerly the officers of this company were Edward
Nicoll. president; F. J. Leland, vice-president, and C. M. Woodbury, secretary
and treasurer. At the present time the name of the company is the American
Handle Company. F. J. Leland is president and general manager of this company.
The Barker Manufacturing Company was established in June, 1883, by J. H. and
F. Barker, and was for some years extensively engaged in the manufacture of
\voodenware and handles. The officers were at first F. Barker, president: H. N.
Saxton, Jr.. secretary, and J. H. Barker, treasurer. This company went out of
business in 1897, and Mr. Saxton, in company with C. Gustavo Schrader, is
engaged in exporting lumber, under the name of Saxton & Co.
The Knoxville Box and Keg Company was established in 1872 by D. R.-Samuel, who
admitted his son, W. B. Samuel, to partnership in 1880. They manufacture
packing- boxes of all kinds, kegs, wagon felloes and wood specialties and
novelties. Their building was afterwards destroyed by fire and the business was
not resumed.
The Knoxville Furniture Company was incorporated in 1882, with a capital of
850.000, and was organized1 September 12. that vear. having- erected their
building;, a three-storv
222 HISTORY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.
frame, above a basement, in iSSi. This building1 is on McGhee street, nearly
opposite the brewery. The kinds of furniture made in this factory consist of
bedroom suits and cabinet mantels, and the company employs in its factory and
sawmill at South Knoxville about 150 men. The furniture is made principally from
oak timber and lumber, but some birch, especially curly birch, walnut and
mahogany are used. The steam engine used in propelling the machinery is of 125
horse power. The officers of the company remain as at the time of organization,
viz.: Thomas R. Price, president; H. S. Mizner, treasurer, and Abram J. Price,
superintendent.
Cooley Bros., contractors and builders, have a planing mill located at Xo-.
402 Chamberlain street, in which they employ about forty hands, including those
engaged in their building operations, the number varying, however, according to
the season of the year. They manufacture sash, doors, blinds, moldings,
brackets, lath, shingle, flooring and other building materials, their factor)7
being equipped with the most improved labor-saving devices.
The Hanna Manufacturing Company was organized in May, 1897, with the following
officers: R. H. Hanna, president; J. T. Sienknecht, vice-president; J. W.
McCallum, secretary and treasurer, and W. D. Trueblood, general manager. This
company began manufacturing pants, overalls, etc., but in 1898 introduced the
manufacture of a complete line of fine clothing, cassimeres and worsteds, being
practi-callv the first manufactorv of the kind in the Southern states.
- *
Their building, a double front brick, two stories high, is located at 316 and
318 Depot street. They employ about sixty hands, and turn out about $50,000
worth of goods each year, which is increasing quite rapidly, so that the output
is fifty per cent greater each month than in the corresponding month of the
previous year. Their goods are shipped into the following states: Kentucky,
Virginia. North and South Carolina. Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, besides
all parts of Tennessee.
HISTORY OF KXOXFILLE, TEXXESSEE. 223
The Marble City Fire Extinguisher Company began business in February, 1896.
The company is composed of three brothers, John A., William J., and Benjamin F.
Durham, and is a co-partnership. It is engaged in the manufacture of chemical
fire extinguishers of different sizes, from a hand extinguisher, which a man can
readily carry on his back, to a two-horse engine. The company in 1898 sold 1.850
of the hand extinguishers and 67 of the larger sizes. The smallest sized
extinguisher holds twenty-six gallons and sells at retail for $12.50. The hand
engine costs from $150 to* 5350; the one-horse engine, from $700 to Si,200, and
the two-horse or 85-gallon double-battery chemical engine. $1.500. The smaller
sizes are made of cold rolled copper, while the largest size is made of steel,
except the wheels. One batten* of this two-horse engine is charged while the
other is playing on the fire. It carries a hose reel with seventy-five feet of
hose, pick-ax, crow-bar, gong and ladders. This chemical engine is highly
recommended by the chiefs of the Knoxville Fire Department, notwithstanding the
fact that the city of Knoxville has never yet invested in a chemical fire
extinguisher.
The Scates Furnace Company, as it now exists, was organized in 1897, though
the business which they are conducting was established in 1883 by George R.
Scates. This business is the manufacture of the Scates steel furnace for the
heating of buildings by means of warm air. Of this steel furnace Mr. Scates is
the inventor. Previous to 1883 Air. Scates had had many years' experience in the
furnace business in several of the Northern states and perceiving the great
necessity and the demand for a warm air furnace superior to anything then in
existence produced the furnace now being manufactured in Knoxville. The factory
is located near the Southern railway, west of the Knoxville Woolen Mills, the
building being owned by a number of Knoxville gentlemen, among whom are S. B.
Luttrell, W. H. Collett. and Peter Kern, and is leased to the company. The
patterns in this factor}' cost about $9,000, and of these patterns Mr. Scates
was the paten-
224 HISTORY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.
tee. In 1897 gentlemen from Pennsylvania and Chicago became interested in the
business and a new company was formed, the officers of which are as follows: C.
F. Van De-water, president: J. L. Nelson, secretary: F. E. Fuller, treasurer,
and G. R. Scates, superintendent. The furnace was patented January 23, 1883, and
has been largely sold throughout the Southern states. The fire-box is lined on
all sides with heavy fire-brick tile made for the purpose, and to a heavy steel
gas-tight dome is attached a double horizontal steel radiator extending the
entire length of the furnace on both sides and across in the rear of the dome.
So' long as the brick lining remains in its place it is impossible to burn out
or even crack the steel fire-box. This furnace is manufactured in four sizes,
adapted to ail classes of buildings. The company also manufactures steel ranges
in large numbers.
On February 4, 1899, a disastrous fire occurred at the factor}7, by which all
the patterns for both range and furnace were destroyed, the loss to the company
in patterns and otherwise reaching- from $15,000 to $20,000. The foundry portion
of the building was leased by the Scates Furnace Company to the Globe Foundry
Company, composed of H. R. Wilhite and A. P. Patterson, who did all the foundry
work for the Scates company. The loss of the Globe Foundry Company by this fire
was about $500. The loss to the building was about $6,500.
In October, 1880, a company formed in New York established a telephone
exchange in Knoxville with thirty-three subscribers, the system then used being-
known as the Law system and quite different from that now in use. This Knoxville
exchange continued to be a small affair until it was purchased by the East
Tennessee Telephone Company, which purchase was effected April i. 1887. by O. F.
Noel, of Nashville, the president of this company, which immediately began to
make extensive improvements, the system being- changed November I. 1888. to the
magneto system, which is in use at this time. July i. 1891. the company had 405
subscribers.
HISTORY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. 225
and then the office was removed from the Sedgwick building to the present site
on Summit Hill, No. 403 Vine street. On February 20, 1899, the company had i.ioo
subscribers.
The long-distance telephone was put in in 1884, at which time the East
Tennessee Telephone Company purchased a telegraph line of R. N. Hood, J. M.
Greer and others, extending from Knoxville to Maryville. Since then this service
has been largely extended, until at the present time Knoxville has communication
with numerous towns in East Tennessee, among them being the following county
seats: Athens. Chattanooga, Cleveland, Clinton, Dayton, Dandridge, Jallico,
Jacksboro, Kingston, London, Madisonville, Maryville, Mor-ristown, Newport,
Rutledge, Sevierville and South Pittsburg.
The managers of this company in Knoxville have been the following: Joseph C.
Duncan, 1887 to 1888; Al. Cooper, a short time in 1888: A. P. Harrison, 1888-94:
W. O. Rhode, 1894 to the present time.
The People's Telephone Company was established in 1894, with C. E. Lucky,
president: W. L. Welcker, vice-president; Joseph C. Duncan, general manager and
Elmer D. Ross, secretary and treasurer. These gentlemen still remain in office.
This company has 800 subscribers in Knoxville and 150 outside of the city, these
subscribers being located in many of the towns throughout East Tennessee. The
office and exchange rooms of the company are in the Franklin building", at the
northeast corner of Gav and Commerce streets.
Additional Comments:
From:
STANDARD HISTORY
OF
KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE
WITH FULL OUTLINE OF THE NATURAL ADVANTAGES, EARLY SETTLEMENT, TERRITORIAL
GOVERNMENT, INDIAN TROUBLES, AND GENERAL AND PARTICULAR HISTORY OF THE CITY DOWN
TO THE PRESENT TIME
EDITED BY
WILLIAM RULE
GEORGE F. MELLEN, PH. D., AND J. WOOLDRIDGE COLLABORATORS
PUBLISHED BY
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO 1900
File at:
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/tn/knox/history/1900/standard/manufa...
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