History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

3(30 HISTOBY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Edgarton, Esq., built tlie first paper-mill. Like
most of the manufacturing interests of the town,
it was located upon the Catacoonamaug.
The announcement that paper-making was about
to be added to the other enterprises of the town
created quite a sensation among its yeomanry, and
all seemed to look with anxiety for a development
of the plan. It was, however, an humble effort
compared with what has since been put forth in the
same direction. The mill had but one engine, and
no other drying process was then known but the
slow one by sun and air. The enterprise, notwith-
standing, Avas a great novelty in this vicinity.
The next paper manufactory was built by Edgar-
ton & Co., on the Nashua River, near the borders
of the town. It was a large building, two stories
in height. Henry P.'^Howe was the superintendent
of this mill, and, being a skilful machinist, sought
out different methods by which to remedy the tedi-
ous process of air-drying. He finally hit upon the
plan, which was subsequently patented, known as
the "fire dryer." This wonderful machine, after
many trials, alterations, and improvements, was at
length completed, and put in operation with satis-
factory results. It is hardly possible to describe
the astonishment created by the discovery. That
produced by the old processes would hardly be
regarded as worthy the meanest service to which
paper is devoted at the present day.
By the invention of Mr. Howe the pulp is re-
ceived from the grinding engines at one end of the
machine, and after passing through a complicated
process comes out at the other end finishecl paper,
ready for immediate use.
The reputation of tiie inventor was now suffi-
ciently established to warrant him to undertake the
manufacture of paper-making machinery, furnished
with the " fire dryer." He accordingly fitted up
a machine-shop, and carried on tiie business in
town for three years, when he removed to Worcester,
Massachusetts, wdiere he soon after died. The
"fire dryer," which promised so much in the
outset, has been superseded by steam drying,
which is the best method that ever has or probably
ever will be invented.
The Edgarton manufactory, under dillerent
contractors, continued in operation until June 15,
1837, when it was destroyed by fire, with all its
contents, including several tons of paper ready for
the market. John M. Sherwin, one of tlic u^sn-.x-
tives, fell a victim to the confliigration.
In 18'1.2 another mill was erected on tiie Drivi-
lege, with a capacity for making one ton of manilla
paper per day. It continued about ten years, when
it was also destroyed by fire, and the manufacture
of woollen goods was established in its place. The
buildings that ^^'ere prepared for this new enterprise
were large and showy, but within one year from
their erection they shared the fate of their prede-
cessors.
The manufacture of paper has been continued,
with varied success, from its commencement,
through all the years that have followed, and is
now (1879) in profitable operation, although upon
a much smaller scale than formerly. It is confined
to one mill, which turns out four tons of finished
paper per week, which is made into paper bags.
These bags are made by machinery, at the rate of
130,000 per day.
Farmers' tools — such as scythes, forks, and
various other iron and steel implements — have
at dift'erent times been manufactured in Shirley.
Carriage-building has also had its seasons of success
at difi'erent periods. For the twenty years that
succeeded 1840 a large carriage-making establishment
was conducted by Har\'ey Woods and Broth-
ers. They manufactured carriages from the
cheapest to the most ornamental kinds. During
some of these years they turned out six hundred
railroad carts, and in the time of the Mexican War
and during the War of the Rebellion many mili-
tary baggage-wagons and ambulances were also
manufactured here, and the proprietors enjoyed a
well-earned reputation for their fidelity as business
men.
Leather, palm-leaf hats, baskets, hoop-skirts, and
various other products have had their place and
day among the manufactures of the town.
The Shakers of Shirley have devoted themselves
to different mamifactures that the wants of the
communify iiave demanded, and their products
have ever sustained a salable reputation. They
vary their employments according to the wants of
the times. They have made agricultural imple-
ments, wooden ware, hair sieves, corn brooms,
grass bonnets, husk mats, feather fans, and fancy
articles of various kinds. They also cure herbs,
make apple-sauce, preserve catchup and pickles,
distil roses and the different mints, and thus meet
a want nowhere else so well sujjplied. Their
stanch honesty, industrious habits, and frugal
living may be seen and understood of all men.
Their products enable them to live above ))]iysicnl
want, and nbo\e anv unreasonable fear nf coininLC