A Growing Industry

Ann Arbor has within her limits a manufacturing ostitution which has shipped good to nearly every part of the civilized world and brought the name of our city into prominerice in places where it was unknown. The institution referred to is the Ferguson road cart faotory, owned by A. P. Ferguson, and which hag climbed from a gmall affair to a factory of nationa) reputation in a few short years. Mr. Perguson had a small shop in Dexter and began building road caris at that place in 1883, building perhaps 100 per year at first. In the fall of 1886 he inyented bis improved road cart and made application for a patent, which he obtained in the following spring. He had a small shop and employed eight hands, building about 400 road carts in the winter of '8687. These sold rapidly and realiziug that with a larger shop and improved machinery, a fortune could be made in this industry, Mr. Ferguson began loooking around for a suitable place to lócate in. In March, 1887, after visiting various cities, Ann Arbor struck him as one of the best locations for his business and he purchased the old Arksey property on Detroit-st. He put the works in good shape and enlarged his business, working 15 men and building about 1000 road carts during that year. When he carne here, he endeavored to organize a stock company to take up the business, as he wished to enlarge it and invest more capital than he could then command, but although he oftered to guarantee the capitalists with whom he talked, ten per cent. on their investment, they were skuptical and decided not to invest, a docision with which Mr. Ferguson is now well pleased that they reaohed. The business has been constantly increasing, and the quarterg which were supposed to be ampie, soon proved too email by far, and last year several large additions were built on, and an additionnl story built on top. In the rear, a building, 28 by 80 feet, three stories high, was added, and another, 30 by 40 feet, was built between the two parts of the old building. The teveial buildings were united into one and repainted, making a very handsome building where had been an eye-sore to the city tor years. A large reight elevator, running from basement to attic, was placed in the rear. The present building covers a space 80 by 64 feet, three stories high with large attics, giving 17,680 feet of floor space. The basement is occupied by blacksmith shop, stock room and wood shop. A pleasant office and large ghow-room are located on the first floor, with store-rooms for finished work in the rear and shippingroom on the north side. On the second floor are the paint shop, room and trimming-room. Two large attics above are used for storing wheels and stock. The work is conducted on the contract system, the foreman of each shop contractins; to do the work oi that branch, and hiring his own help. The number of hands on the pay-roll at present is 53 and over $1,500 is paid out monthly to these I men. Every room is crowded with workmen and material, the large building being already too small for the business. The business of the factory has been increasing rapidly since its removal to this city. In 1887, the output was 1,000 carte; last year, 4,000 carts, and the present year the estimated output will be nearly 8,000 carts. Besides these, a patent light road wagon is manufacturad by Mr. Ferguson, and 100 of them will be built during the present season, and 50 or 60 buggies and surreys. The total output for the year will amount to nearly $175,000, and if all the carts, etc, which will be made this year, were tied close together following each other, they would reach over 13 miles. The factory is about 800 carts behind on orders, but is catching up rapidly as 30 complete carts are built every day. A number of different styles of carts and wagons are built, including his patent road wagon and a combination road cart and racing sulky. The goods are shipped into every state in the Union, and many foreign countries, among them being Buenas Aires, S. A.; Ireland, Germany, India, Jamacia. W. I., and Australia. One firm in Indiana hag sold $10,826 worth of Ferguson's carts since Jan. 1, 1889, and now have an order in for $10,000 worth more. In California I large numbers of them are sold, one firm ' in that state having gold $8,242.50 worth since Jan. 1. Mr. Ferguson is now trying to pet a side-track to run from the Michigan Central tracks to hig property. If he can get this he will enlarge his works again, putting on an addition 80 feet square, running back to Pontiac-st, and doubling the capacity of the factory and the number of tnen employed. If he cannot get permission to build this track, the addition will not be built but he vúll use the present quarters until he can find a more suitable location. The side-track running to the factory would save him $1,000 per year in írayage alone, besides considerable damage to his goods. The success of this industry in Ann Arbor has spread over the country and several of our sister cities are making an effort to have the factory removed. Mr. Perguson has an offer of a building site Ipnd $5,000 in cash, from Ügemaw, Ind. rJackson is also anxious to have the works moved to that place, and the secretary of the Merchants and Manufacturers ation is now in corroepondence with Mr. Ferguson in regard to the matter. Mr. Ferguson is not anxtous to move and the offer will have to be very tempting that will induce him to go. Ann Arbor should see to it that he does not go, as we might better have more such industries than to lose what we already have.