Page 108 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

SAN ANTONIO-HER
108 TRADE,
surface. The stock carried averages $75,000 in value their annual trans-
actions will reach $300,000. The influence of this house upon the trade,
reputation and prosperity of the city, is of the very highest importance.
With their many customers scattered through this section, they hold in-
timate relations and have established a high character for the commercial
spirit and enterprise of San Antonio.

PHELPS & FREEMAN—Wholesale Manufacturers of all kinds of Mat-
tresses, Spring Beds and Cots. We make a specialty of the justly
celebrated woven-wire Mattress. San Antonio Mattress Factory.
Office and Factory, 601 to 605 West Houston Street.
The greatest need of the State of Texas to-day is the establishment of
manufactories, no matter in what line or how insignificant the start.
Manufactories are emulative in their influences—the establishment of one
soon stimulates the organization of others, so that each one, as soon as it
becomes an accomplished fact and active producer, is deserving, from mo-
tives of public polity, of especial encouragement. All writers on the sci-
ence of political economy, agree in one particular, that no city can become
truly great, commercially, without manufactories. They are the founda-
tion walls on which her mercantile supremacy and prosperity must be
built, so that it may be stable and enduring. Logically at the head of these
important factors, stand those dealing in articles of common use and de-
mand, or necessities. As to the policy of encouraging home institutions,
there is no difference of opinion among men of ordinary sagacity. The
collector of statistics, in the performance of his duties, comes across estab-
lishments actively but unobtrusively pushing their business, producing
frequently articles which rank high in the list of absolute necessities, and
contributing in no small degree to the industrial interests and commercial
reputation of cities. In this class, in San Antonio, we find the establish-
ment of Phelps & Freeman, manufacturers of Spring Beds and Mattresses,
601 to 605 West Houston and 201 North Laredo streets. This factory was
established in good shape in 1881 by Phelps & Son, and changed in 1885
to the present style. C. N. Phelps and J. D. Freeman are the proprietors.
These gentlemen are practical mechanics, acquiring the knowledge of their
business in England, where they make skillful craftsmen and but few
botches. Mr. Phelps is thoroughly skilled in every department of the
trade with an active, practical experience of twelve years. Mr. Freeman
is also a thorough mechanic in fine wood work with many years experi-
ence. Their factory is perfectly equipped with all of the best modern ma-
chinery and mechanical appliances and facilities for turning out their spe-
cialties expeditiously, economically and perfect in workmanship and finish.
Their complement consists of some fifteen different machines, motive pow-
er for which is furnished by a large steam engine. Their factory and office
buildings cover an area of 75 x 180 feet. Ten hands are employed. They
manufacture Cotton Top, Excelsior, Moss and Hackled Husk Mattresses,