Louis Kastor, of Natchez, Miss., is the only colored man I have found in my travels engaged in the line of work he represents, at least on so large a scale as he carries on his business. He is a first-class harness-maker by trade and owns one of the largest and best-equipped stores in his line in the country. In addition to the harness he makes he keeps on hand a large stock of ready-made harness, bridles, saddles, whips, rugs, in fact, a large and complete stock of all goods sold by men in his business. Mr. Kastor began first with $65.00, and is now doing a business of some $22,000 a year. He owns a fine property for a residence, and has the respect and confidence of the best people in Natchez. In addition to his own residence Mr. Kastor owns three other houses, which he has rented. I found him a very intelligent man, and one who is very anxious to see the colored people advance in every department of life. He feels that they must be engaged in all lines of work and business in order that they may succeed.
MISSISSIPPI COTTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This company is located at Jackson, Miss., for the purpose of building a large cotton mill where colored labor only will be employed.
On nearly every sidewalk, at every railway station from the country store to the great city, the highways are crowded with idle colored boys. It is very difficult for them to find employment in the commercial pursuits of any kind. They would gladly seize an opportunity to earn a livelihood along the industrial lines if they were permitted. Hence the necessity of the erection of the cotton factory. The Mississippi Cotton Manufacturing Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Mississippi for the purpose of manufacturing cotton and woolen goods and such other articles as the directors from time to time may see fit. Such an enterprise was proposed by the lamented Frederick Douglass in 1893, who was president of the Freedom Manufacturing Company, of which Hon. James Hill was vice-president. Owing to the money panic of '93, Mr. Douglass decided to wait until after the panic had subsided and business confidence was restored. On the eve of this restoration of business confidence Mr. Douglass died. The idea has heretofore prevailed that the negro is not competent to manage or operate any manufacturing concern or any great business enterprise. We cannot yield assent to that idea. The young people who are being educated in the various colleges of this country should not all seek to go into the professions, and the main object of this company is to build this factory and give the deserving boys and girls in that State an opportunity to follow the industrial as well as the professional walks of life.
The capital stock of the company is $250,000. The shares of stock are placed at $10 each. Any person, however, can purchase as many shares of stock as he may desire.
Mississippi is one of the greatest cotton-producing States in the Union, and the negro produces the major part of said product, and he should feel a deep interest in the manufacture of this raw material, thereby doing something to advance civilization and adding something substantial to the commonwealth and the welfare of its people.
HON. JAMES HILL.
President of Cotton Mill Company.
Hon. James Hill is president of the above company. Mr. Hill is a man of high standing and well known in all parts of this country. He has been a political leader for years, and has held some very important positions. He was at one time Postmaster of Vicksburg, Miss., the largest town in the State. Mr. Hill is now, in 1900, in the United States Land Office at Jackson, Miss. He was appointed to this position by President McKinley.
Rev. E. W. Lampton, first vice-president of the company, is also a well-known man. He has been a very active man in the A. M. E. Church. His home is at Greenville, Miss., where he owns valuable property. Mr. Lampton has been at the head of the Masonic order for the State of Mississippi, and thousands of dollars have been disbursed by him for the benefit of widows and orphans annually.