Clinchfield Mill,
Marion, NC
Marion, NC
Marion Manufacturing Co. and Clinchfield Mill
The Marion Manufacturing Co. plant is about one mile east of Marion, N.C. The Clinchfield mills are less than a
mile further east. The group of three mills operated under the management of D. D. Little, of Spartanburg, S.C.,
and Hugh F. Little, his son. The Clinchfield Mill was designed by J E Sirrine, mill engineers. Sirrine ads.
Marion Manufacturing Co., Clinchfield Manufacturing Co., and the large new mill now under construction
represent an investment of approximately three million dollars. Clinchfield No. 2 will probably be in operation
early in the autumn 1917. The three mills will have a total equipment of one hundred and one thousand
spindles. All of the mills manufacture wide print cloths. 1
Source: 1. Textile World Record, June 1917
Despite the construction of a seemingly model mill village and a modern mill, the working conditions led to a
strike as the owners attempted to operate these mills through the roaring twenties.
Mill Hands Strike
These troops gathered at the Clinchfield Mill gate await the orders of Maj. Patterson of Statesville of the regular
army and Judge Towsen (with hat). The troops were required when strikers of the Clinchfield Mill clashed with
local sheriffs. Warrants were sworn out for the 148 members of the United Textile Workers of the Clinchfield
and Marion Mfg. Mills. The local sheriffs asked for the protection of the North Carolina National Guardsmen.
9/1/29
Associated Press Photo
Page Copyright Gary N. Mock 2009
The Marion Manufacturing Co. plant is about one mile east of Marion, N.C. The Clinchfield mills are less than a
mile further east. The group of three mills operated under the management of D. D. Little, of Spartanburg, S.C.,
and Hugh F. Little, his son. The Clinchfield Mill was designed by J E Sirrine, mill engineers. Sirrine ads.
Marion Manufacturing Co., Clinchfield Manufacturing Co., and the large new mill now under construction
represent an investment of approximately three million dollars. Clinchfield No. 2 will probably be in operation
early in the autumn 1917. The three mills will have a total equipment of one hundred and one thousand
spindles. All of the mills manufacture wide print cloths. 1
Source: 1. Textile World Record, June 1917
Despite the construction of a seemingly model mill village and a modern mill, the working conditions led to a
strike as the owners attempted to operate these mills through the roaring twenties.
Mill Hands Strike
These troops gathered at the Clinchfield Mill gate await the orders of Maj. Patterson of Statesville of the regular
army and Judge Towsen (with hat). The troops were required when strikers of the Clinchfield Mill clashed with
local sheriffs. Warrants were sworn out for the 148 members of the United Textile Workers of the Clinchfield
and Marion Mfg. Mills. The local sheriffs asked for the protection of the North Carolina National Guardsmen.
9/1/29
Associated Press Photo
Page Copyright Gary N. Mock 2009
Click to see full
image
image
Marion Manufacturing, Marion, NC prior to 1911 (Postmark dated
February 11, 1911) Bill Wornall Textile Postcard Collection
February 11, 1911) Bill Wornall Textile Postcard Collection
Left: Posselt's Journal 1910.
Below: Northrup/Draper looms installed
1914. Draper Shop Records
Source: Peter Metzke
Below: Northrup/Draper looms installed
1914. Draper Shop Records
Source: Peter Metzke
Bill Wornall Textile
Postcard Collection
Postcard Collection