But great as our city is as a commercial center she will yet develop
other and more important interests, and that too within a limited period
of time for it has been demonstrated to the entire satisfaction of all
capitalists, who have given their attention to the matter that there is
not in the whole south a district which combines so many advantages for
manufacturing on an intensive scale, such an endless variety of articles
as the city under consideration & the country immediately surrounds it.
In support of this statement let us descend to particulars:
There is, for instance, within the immediate neighborhood of our city
more iron ore than can be consumed in centuries, and this ore is richer
than any other yet known in the United States. Six miles from the center
of Jefferson are iron hills towering above the surrounding country which
alone will yield an inexhaustible supply of ore and, this ore is richer
and more easily worked than that found in Missouri’s famous “Iron
Mountain.” But the whole country contains more or less ore of this
character, and here, where the raw material is so abundant, and water
and fuel for steam purposes so readily procured, and transportation by
railroads and by water so accessible, there can be erected furnaces,
forges and foundries that would successfully compete with any now in
existence in this country. Already the largest iron foundry in this
state is in operation four miles from the city, and two miles this side
of the iron hills of which we have spoken; and this foundry—G.A. Kelly’s
at Kellyville is manufacturing on an extensive scale cooking stoves and
heating stoves that are unsurpassed by any imported to this market,
either in beauty and finish or in quality, and the plow manufactured by
this establishment is pronounced by all those who are using it—and a
large number are now in use—to be equal in all respects to the Hall and
Speer or Avery plow, and much more durable by reason of the superior
quality of our iron. Such is the demand for the products of this foundry
the owner is now seeking to increase his manufacturing facilities by
organizing a joint Stock Company, with a capital of $200,000, as nothing
short of this amount will enable him to fill his orders in the future.
Again 20 miles from this city, and adjacent to the route of the East
Line and Red River Railway, we come to a vein of copper ore, impregnated
with both gold and silver. This ore in the hands of the assayer has been
found to be very pure, quite as much as any in the South, not excepting
that from the Wichita country. The supply is by no means limited. In
fact its limits have not as yet been ascertained. In that vicinity,
also, as well as in many other sections within striking distance of this
city by rail as soon as the projected roads are completed, there is a
great abundance of cannel coal of a fine quality. Manufacturers will
comprehend at a glance the significance of this fact, and know how to
appreciate it. That there is coal enough of this character for all local
manufacturing purposes there is no doubt.
No section of country that can be named offers a better quality or a
greater variety of timber for building and manufacturing purposes than
that in the immediate vicinity of the City of Jefferson. For building we
have, in the greatest abundance, the very best of pine, black-walnut,
gum, white-oak and cypress; for manufacturing, we have not only the
above named but also hickory, cedar, Bois d’arc, etc. The quality of our
pine and oak is unsurpassed North or South and at the Mills as good a
quality of black-walnut as one could desire can be had in any quantity
for $2.00 per hundred feet; contrast that with the prices paid in the
North, and West and the advantage we possess will be appreciated, For
the manufacture of wagons we have an unlimited supply of hickory. Bois
d’arc and white oak within striking distance and for wooden ware we have
all the oak, cedar and cypress we need.
Going west, along the line of the Texas and Pacific Railway, we soon
come to those immense prairies, whose settlers must rely, during our day
at least, on other sections for their building materials, wagon
materials, furniture and wooden ware, and everything else which requires
timber in its construction. Right here, then at this end of that great
thoroughfare, we should and must manufacture ready-fitted timbers for
building, including shingles, sash doors, and blinds and every other
article needed in the construction of houses as well as furniture and
wooden ware for the same. We say ready-fitted timbers because these can
be prepared by machinery, like sash doors and blinds, in a better manner
and at much less expense than on prairies, and the purchaser will then
only pay the freight on what he actually uses. That is he will not be
taxed for freight on waste materials.
This brings us to the natural conclusion that here, where, the materials
are in their native state, should be the manufactories. That is here
should be the saw mills, the planing mills, the shingle machines,
machinery for the manufacture of ready made houses, furniture, wagon and
wooden ware manufactories, etc. Besides, here too, where we have the
iron and the white oak and the hickory we should manufacture every kind
of agricultural implement our State requires. There is no earthly reason
why we should import these—why others in their manufacture should falter
at our expense. We have all the requisites, all the essentials right
here at home; let us avail ourselves of them.
Then again, why are our hides sent abroad to be tanned and then returned
to us at our expense while our forests in this vicinity at least,
abound, in red oak bark? Can any one assign one good and valid reason
why this is done? Have we not room for tanyards? If so, let us construct
them and exhibit our good sense in tanning our hides at home, and then
instead of paying Massachusetts and other States for manufacturing our
boots and shoes let us do this ourselves. When we learn to act instead
of employing others to act for us, then, and not till then will we
become independent.
Here, too, we should without delay erect Cotton and Woolen Mills, Cotton
Seed oil mills, Cotton gin and Cotton press manufactories, where nothing
is required but capital, labor and enterprise.
There is no reason why a broom, or a harness, or saddle, or a
horse-collar, or a carriage of any description, or a pump or a chair, or
a barrel, or a single article of furniture should be imported into
Texas. We, therefore, invite capitalists at home and abroad to unite
their means with ours and assist us in manufacturing what we have
enumerated and other necessities of life. We have the locality for doing
this in a preeminent degree, & hence the invitation is here extended.
In this connection we should invite the special attention of
boat-builders to the fact that at Potter’s Point on Fairy Lake—or “Ferry
Lake,” as it is sometimes called—15 miles from this city is one of the
most desirable places in the South for a Dock-yard. In that vicinity
there is an abundance of white oak and other suitable timber for the
construction of Steamboats, and right here all the necessary machinery
could be manufactured, and forwarded by water navigation to that point.
In the construction of boats on the shore of that lake there would be no
loss of time by reason of the severity of the weather not even during
the winter time, as in yards further North. Our climate would greatly
favor such an enterprise in that locality.
The above suggestions are offered for the consideration of capitalists
everywhere; and we would add that there is a disposition among our
people to extend a hearty welcome to all who assist us in developing our
natural resources. Lands for manufacturing purposes can here be had in
healthy localities for a reasonable consideration, and the privilege of
mining can here be had for nothing by way of encouragement to
capitalists. Our section is as healthy as any in the wide world,—no
epidemic ever prevailed here—and those who desire to make their home in
our midst will find this section as pleasant as any in the State, and
the society one in which strangers would soon feel at home.
Before closing we would remark that the Legislature of this State during
the winter of 1871, passed an act exempting from taxation of all kinds,
for a period of five years, all machinery introduced into the State for
the manufacture of cotton and wool, and that act is still in force; also
that during the same session—see General Laws of Texas, of 12th
Legislature, 2nd Session, Chapter lxxx,—a general incorporation act was
passed. During this session a special act was also passed and approved
Dec. 2nd, 1871, incorporating the “Texas Manufacturing Company.” Four of
the incorporators were and three still are inhabitants of this city.
Here also is the headquarters of this company.
Any further information Capitalists or Manufacturers may desire
respecting this locality will be cheerfully furnished by the
undersigned.
Respectfully Yours,
L. T. GRAY, Mayor of Jefferson City.
A. G. CLOPTON, M. D., President Chamber of Commerce.
CAPT. J. M. DeWARE, Chief of Police, Jefferson.
MASON & CAMPBELL, Lawyers.
MOSELEY & SPARKS, Attorneys and Land Agents.
CRAWFORD & CRAWFORD, Attorneys at Law.
EPPERSON & MAXEY, Attorneys at Law.
PENN & TODD, Lawyers.
M. F. MOORE, Attorney at Law.
REEVES & WORD, Attorneys at Law.
THOMAS J. HUDSON, Attorney at Law.
R. DeJERNETT, Physician and Surgeon.
L. S. RAYFIELD, Physician and Surgeon.
G. H. WOOTTEN, Physician.
S. EASON, Physician and Surgeon.
A. P. BROWN, Physician and Surgeon.
A. A. TERHUNE, Physician and Surgeon.
NATIONAL BANK, W. M. Harrison, President.
CITIZENS SAVINGS BANK, W. Q. Bateman, President Jno. M. Lewis,
Cashier.
JAMES ARBUCKLE & CO., Bankers.
J. A. NORSWORTHY & COX, Bankers.
ERASTUS JONES, Banker.
GRAHAM & TAYLOR, Receiving, Forwarding and Commission Merchants.
GOYNE, HARPER & MURPHY, Receiving, Forwarding and Commission
Merchants.
A. GILHAM, Receiving, Forwarding and Commission Merchants.
MIDDLEBROOKS & WALL, Receiving, Forwarding and Commission Merchants.
A. C. ALLEN, Receiving, Forwarding and Commission Merchant.
RUSSELL, RAINEY and CO., Wholesale Grocers and Commission Merchants.
ELLIS BAGBY and CO., Wholesale Grocers and Commission Merchants.
BATEMAN & BRO., Wholesale Grocers and Commission Merchants.
BOGEL & RIDDLE, Wholesale Grocers and Commission Merchants.
NORWOOD & SCOTT, Commission Merchants.
S. FRANKLE, Commission Merchant.
BELL & ROBINSON, Commission Merchants, and Real Estate Agents.
TORRANS & RIVES, Commission Merchants and Cotton Buyers.
B. J. TERRY, Cotton Factor.
WAYLAND & WHATLEY, Wholesale Grocers.
JG FELLNER, JR., Wholesale Grocer.
COLLINS, EPPERSON & EZELL, Wholesale Grocers.
T. J. ROGERS, Wholesale Grocer.
BARNS & ELLINGTON, Wholesale Grocers.
F. ROBINSON, Wholesale Grocer.
F. C. BAKER, Wholesale Grocer.
JNO. A. FIELDER, Grocer and Importer of Fancy Goods.
J. M. MURPHY, Grocer and General Merchandise.
O. C. HERRENKIND, Retail Grocer.
NANCE & MODRALL, Retail Grocers.
E. MARX, General Merchandise, Wholesale.
P. ELDRIDGE & BRO., General Merchandise.
MOORING & LYON, General Merchandise.
K. MEYER, General Merchandise.
BIRGE, NICKOLS & CO., Dry Goods, Wholesale.
JAMES HOBAN, Dry Goods.
F. A. SCHLUTER & SON, Dry Goods, Staple and Fancy.
SIMS & NORRIS, Dry Goods.
S. W. STONE, Hardware Merchant.
JOHN C. KOLTER & CO., Hardware Merchants.
R. BALLAUF & CO., Hardware Merchants.
BONEY & BROOKS, Druggist, Wholesale and Retail.
E. W. TAYLOR, Druggist and Bookseller.
W. J. SEDBERRY, Druggist and Bookseller.
BRADFORD, BRIDGE & CO., Furniture and Carriages.
J. BRUCKMULLER, Furniture Dealer.
W. H. WYMAN, Furniture Manufacturer and Dealer.
RUFUS MUSE & CO., Wholesale Dealer in Liquors, Tobacco and Cigars.
TAYLOR & PINSON, Agricultural Implements and Machinery.
R. MAN WARING, Real Estate Owner.
DOPPLEMAYER & EBERSTADT, Real Estate Owners.
NEY & BRO., Real Estate Owners.
V. H. CLAIRBORNE, Real Estate Owner.
WARD TAYLOR, Real Estate Owner.
W. C. BAKER, Real Estate Owner.
L. MOODY, Real Estate Owner.
R. TOWERS, Property Owner.
T. G. ANDERSON, General Insurance Agent.
COTTON BROS., General Insurance Agents.
FRANK O. SETH, General Agent, Universal Life Insurance Company.
GILBERT & CO., Agents for Capitalists and Manufacturers.
J. A. H. HOSACK, Auctioneer and Real Estate Broker.
W. H. JOHNSON, District Clerk and Notary Public.
W. E. KNEELAND, Notary Public.
EDWARD GUTHERIDGE, Deputy District Clerk and Notary Public.
J. OPPENHEIMER, Recorder and Collector of City of Jefferson.
S. A. THOMPSON, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer and Dealer.
LAWRENCE & REATON, Crockery, China and Glassware.
J. H. CARLIN, Merchant Tailor.
HUGO FOX, Manufacturer of Candies.
J. B. TULLIS, Surgeon Dentist.
ADAM STOLL, Butcher.
G. A. KELLY, Proprietor Kelly’s Foundry.
MORRIS, McKEOWN & CO., Proprietors of Foundry and Machine Manufactory.
E. W. MORTEN, Proprietor “National Cotton Compress.”
TRICE STEWART & CO., Proprietors Jefferson Planing Mill.
J. B. LIGON, Building Contractor.
CRUMP & HUNSUCKER, Builders.
C. F. L. SMITY, Civil and Mechanical Engineer.
J. M. TUCKER, Alderman.
GEO. W. ROBERTS, Supt. Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.
CAPT. W. H. COIT, Principal Coit’s Military and Commercial Academy.
ROOTS & HYNSON, Railroad Contractors.
JEFFERSON DEMOCRAT, Miller, McEachern and Alexander Proprietors, J. B.
McEachern Editor.
“JEFFERSON TIMES,” R. W. Loughery, Editor and Proprietor.
J. C. ROGERS & CO., Printers, Lithographers, Wholesale and Retail
Books, Stationery, Blank Books, etc.