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THE WATAUGA DEMOCRATE VERY THURSDAY—BOONE, N. CWaldensians DevelopSection of N. Caroliisiery Mill, equipped with modern machinery, knits silk hosiery of highest grade and quality.The Waldensian Baking Company has established a modern bakery plant, turning out bread, cakes, pastries, macaroni, spaghetti and sim-W. E. Price of the Southern Railw in Southern Field Magazine.A bit of Sunny Italy transplant to the green mountain slopes of we j]ar products made by skilled experi-ern North Carolina is the fi: enced bakers, which find a market thought of the traveler upon entt jn most of the cities of Westerning the gateway of Valdese, a settl North Carolina.ment of Waldensians from northe cooperative store, organized by^aly. the residents of Valdese, the stockThe village reflects the Italian R owned by Waldensians has been innaissance in the architecture of i operation six years and enjoys the cottages and public buildings. T1 confidence and respect of the corn-neat small farms flourishing und« munity.intensive cultivation, the thrift One of the latest industrial addi-vineyards and orchards give a d«tjons js the Valdese Shoe Corpora-eidedly old world aspect, while i'tion, manufacturing high grade la-many mills and factories and bus(jjes’ footwear of exquisite appear-business life bear the stamp of Ananc0f usjng the latest novelties in erican progress. leather and brocades. Their outputThe Waldensians are Protestant0f 100 pairs daily finds a ready sale their belief being practically thon the markets for quality shoes, same as the Presbyterian Church Valdese has not only interested it-with which their church has mad*seif in its material welfare, but has connections. They come from threyven attention to religious and edu-little valleys in northern Italy at thi,ational up]ift. There has just been foot of the Cottian Alps which sep-,uj}t a high school building which arate Italy from France. These val-s one 0f tbe finest in Western North leys are so small that the 25,000 Wal;arojjna -phe available appropria-densians are greatly congested andions being insufficient for the kind the land has been divided into farm-,f building they wanted, the resi-ing plots so small that it is difficult ents p00ied their resources and did for many to earn a proper livelihood. mch of the actual construction Under such conditions many of umselves without charge. The highthe people had from time to time considered the possibility of emigrating to the United States, where land could be bought on a reasonable basis and a location arranged for a colony. In 1894 Rev. Teofilo Gay, D. I)., visited this country making an inspection of lands in western North Carolina. On his return to Italy he advised his people to emigrate to this section. Ten families, among whom were Rev. Emil Tron went directly to western North Carolina settling on land east of Mor-ganton. Dr. Tron personally assuming part of the payment for these lands. These families were followed by others until there were about fifty families located in the settlement.The new settlement, in a strange country on unimproved land, went through all the hardships of the early settlements of America. It is said the colonists were so badly off that they were unable to buy draft horses to do their plowing and had to resort to the old-world practice of doing practically all their work by hand. Sturdy and industrious folLV they brought with them the m«tv| valuable possessions of indomita0Sj persistence and untiring zeal. The] barren desolate country soon gavel 1 way to cultivated fields, growing 1 vineyards and orchards. Land was cleared, gardens were planted, homes.* were built, and the foundations of:«a permanent settlement were laid.f Soon a church was built, stones be- 1 ing transported by hand with the indomitable spirit of the pioneer. The ' colony had prospered greatly. The ' farms are highly developed. New settlers have come from time to time, so that from a small beginning of a struggling settlement, there is nowr a prosperous community.As the colony prospered, attention was given to industrial enterprises as an opportunity for the investment of their savings and the employment of their people. In 1901, a small hosiery mill was established with a capital of $240.00. This concern has grown until now as the Waldensian Hosiery Mills, it has a large plant equipped with modern machinery and is manufacturing high-grade hosiery, handling 225,000 pounds of raw material yearly. One hundred mill workers are employed and enjoy excellent working conditions.In 1914 the Valdese Manufacturing Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $300,000.00 to build a spinning mill. The mill buildings are of gray stucco, day light type, and thoroughly ventilated. The machinery, including 13,000 spindles is modern, and working conditions in the mills are pleasant and healthful. While many employees own their own houses, many of them are housed in 65 attractive cottages, equipped with all modem conveniences owned by the mill company. These cot-ages, in the midst of green grass plots with flowers and shade trees, present a neat and beautiful appearance.In 1915 the Waldensian Swiss Embroidery Company was established. This industry is engaged in embroidering spreads which are manufact- 1 ured elsewhere in North Carolina. 1 The capacity is 900 weekly and the 'hool, built of natural stone fromie near by hills, stands on a hill ■mmanding a splendid view of the irrounding countrf. It i s well rhted and ventilated, steam-heated id modern i nevery respect. The ditorium seats 1,000. There is a age for theatrical performances ;d a moving picture plant.Recently Rev. Mr. Tron, who had turned to Italy, made a trip to ildese, visiting the settlement. He \s highly pleased with the progress r.de by the Waldensian people and ft that his original investment had bn worth while. The few families stling in a wild desolate country aong the hills, had become a pros-pous industrious town of 1,800 in-hiitants with a surrounding coun-ti of attractive forms and vine-yds.T T1beautiful embellishment by the skilled hands of the Waldensians has created a widespread demand. This plant has installed delicate machinery, electrically driven and the best working conditions of steam-heated rooms and adequate ventilation.Other mills and factories were later established. The Martinat Hosiery Mills, electrically equipped, employs fifty workers, and manufactures 75,000 to 100,000 pairs of hosiery yearly. Trucks bring employees from nearby towns. The Pauline Ho-Iaisiblt;sidiglstbiwwugnaasttlhgrlt;hdaVtlt;sSiabIS1oEttta14bhrd1,FLftttt1tt
Newspaper Details
Watauga Democrat
Boone, North Carolina, US
Thu, Jan 08, 1925
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Anonymous
USA 31 Mar 2023
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Watauga Democrat
