ASHCRAFT COTTON FACTORY.
It is hard to say anything of interest in regard to this institution other than what is stated in their advertisement. It was organized in 1900 with a capital stock of $100,000, which was increased the following year to $150,000. Their goods are in such demand that they are several months behind on orders, and, as stated, in their advertisement, are the first company in the United States to use the entire product of the cotton field. The factory contains 6,240 spindles and 200 looms, employing several hundred hands. The factory is one of the best equipped and most up-to-date factories in the United States, and the fact that their product is sold for several months ahead is conclusive evidence that their goods are of unusual merit. C. W. Ashcraft is President and General Manager, John T. Ashcraft, Vice President, and Erister Ashcraft, Secretary and Treasurer.
The two accompanying pictures of “Light Running Florence” wagons tell more than could be told in several pages.
The 3½ Florence Wagon that brought a load of 86 people to the fair at Murfreesboro, carried an estimated weight of 13,000 pounds, or six times as much as the ordinary farmer hauls at a load. The ordinary log wagon is seldom called on to hold up a load to exceed four or five thousand pounds, and oftener less, yet the “Light Running Florence” managed to carry a solid stone base weighing 22,000 pounds, and without injury to the wagon in any way. There must be a reason for this. If the wagons were built to conform with the claims of the Florence Wagon Works, as to the amount of tonnage capacity, they would certainly not be misleading the public or the purchaser, but when a wagon will carry more than five times as much as they claim it will, and ten times as much as the ordinary farmer wants to haul, there is but one answer; the wagon is built on honor. It would be pretty hard to get anything but an honest wagon from this factory, for unless a man be honest with himself, he could not be honest with his employer, and the record for industry, temperance, and general citizenship is certainly broken when you investigate the class of men that make these wagons. Many of the employes own their own homes, contribute liberally to churches and charity and patronize the schools, and a larger Sunday school class can be found from the children of this industrious lot of people than can be found most anywhere, considering the number of employes. There is not a “boozefighter” in their employ, and the standard of manhood and citizenship is certainty commendable.
3½ FLORENCE WAGON CARRYING A LOAD OF 86 PASSENGERS, ESTIMATED WEIGHT 13,000 LBS.
The Ashcraft Oil Mills is one of the tributary industries of the Ashcraft Cotton Mills, where the by-products are handled, and is under the same management. In addition they operate several gins in the territory adjacent to Florence, to insure an adequate supply of seed for the manufacture of their product. Several years ago when there was little or no demand for cotton seed hulls, they advertised that they would for a limited time give away absolutely free their output of cotton seed hulls that the farmers and stock raisers might learn of its value as a feed. It was rather hard at first to give them away, but it resulted in creating a demand until now the entire output is sold with little or no advertising.
We print on this page the picture of Hon. Emmet O’Neal, and his beautiful residence in Florence. Mr. O’Neal is a candidate for the nomination for Lieutenant Governor. He is a son of the late Governor O’Neal, and it is only fitting that he should in time succeed his illustrious father. Mr. O’Neal is best liked where best known, and if the people of Florence were the only ones to be consulted his election would be unanimous. He is a native of Lauderdale County, and has always been a prominent factor in the Democratic affairs of the State. His residence, known as the old Foster home, on North Court street, is one of the old historic landmarks, and one of the finest homes in Florence.
Our advertisers represent the progressive business firms of Florence, and while we did not secure assistance from all of the business houses in Florence by any means, we certainly have reasons to be proud of our list. Florence has a hundred other business firms not mentioned herein. There are several wholesale houses, numerous retail stores that are a credit to any town, and, in fact, everything necessary to make up a first-class city, including hotels, restaurants, drug stores, livery stables, etc., foundries, machine shops, ice factory, steam laundry, etc., etc.
“Say what you please about us,” said Mr. J. W. Worthington, “but tell it just as you see it. State the facts, and we will stand by you. Charge me up with my part of the expense to advertise Florence, and send me the bill.” Is it a wonder that Florence is growing when the people interested in her future are willing to open their pocketbook and do not ask for anything to be said about them but the truth?
Rogers Bros. have used more space to advertise Florence than they have to advertise their own business. It is said that either of the brothers will go without his meals to do something that will benefit Florence. They own some stock in practically every industry in Florence, and will take stock in new industries.
Picture of Patton School at Florence, Alabama, and of Miss Freda Bose, who won the gold medal offered by the Florence Chapter, U. D. C., for the best essay on the subject, “The Reconstruction Period.” The Patton School was erected in 1890, at a cost of something over $22,000. Miss Bose is a daughter of John Bose, General Agent of the L. & N. Railroad, and is thirteen years old.
