Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 8.djvu/330

302 "Samuel Eastman & Co., manufacturers of the Standard Oak Leather Hose, are the largest manufacturers in this line of goods in the United States. Their hose is to be found in every section of the country, the State of Pennsylvania alone having over two hundred thousand feet of this make in their fire-departments and manufactories. Their recent improvements in their hose have added requisites which are indispensable in a fire-hose, and impossible to exist in any other kind, owing to the nature and adaptability of the material used in its construction. Its principal features are its permanency upon storage; its durability, and great excess in strength over all requirements; its pliability and lightness; its compactness and permanent handles every five feet, by which it is handled in any position with one hand; its capacity to resist abuse, and retain nearly its original strength through a long number of years; and its pliable nature, never requiring it to be oiled. These, with other merits which it possesses, must ultimately make it supersede all other fire-hose now on the market. Their orders for this hose are now in excess of their production, which cover different cities and towns in the different States from almost every section of the country. Their long experience and constant study have brought success to their efforts in perfecting and adopting the best flexible substance. Its success is assured."

The granite business is a very important industry in Concord. Our granite is sought for in distant States, on account of its marble-like beauty, for monumental and architectural purposes. There is an inexhaustible supply, and it is a source of great wealth to the quarry-man and the skilled artisan.

Among the many business-men who have honored the city of Concord by choosing it as their place of residence, few have ranked as high for ability, enterprise, and commercial integrity, as the members of the wholesale grocery firm of Woodworth, Dow, & Co.,—Albert B. Woodworth, Samuel H. Dow, and Edward B. Woodworth. Mr. Dow, it will be remembered, built the fine business blocks on Bridge Street, and converted that tumble-down locality into a busy, bustling, thriving community, with fine brick edifices that are an ornament to that section of the city, which was formerly covered with mere wooden hovels, and buildings of an inferior appearance. The improvements there made are of a permanent and pleasing character; and the new blocks are occupied by some of the most flourishing merchants and busy artisans in the city. Among the first to locate there was the firm above mentioned.

When they established the business in the city a number of years ago, they were met with the discouraging prophecy that business of this class could not be drawn to Concord; but their success justified their judgment. Already a large section of New Hampshire and Vermont depend on this firm for their supplies. Why not? Concord is a railroad centre, easy of access; and if goods can be bought as low as, or lower here than, elsewhere, the expense of the journey, and the additional freight, can be saved.

The firm knew there was a field here for their business talents, and they have cultivated it. In January, 1884, they moved into their spacious new quarters. The block they occupy is three stories in height, besides a spacious attic for storage of grain. The first floor is directly on the railroad; and goods can