The following is the text from the 50th Anniversary Edition of the Callaway Beacon. The links take you to the scans of the pictures.

The Cover…

This issue of the Callaway Beacon is dedicated to the people of the Milstead Plant who, in the 50 years since Mr. Fuller E. Callaway became President of the Milstead Manufacturing Company have done so much to make the business prosper and grow. Their devotion to their jobs, their  willingness to take extra care to turn out a quality product and their friend- friendly loyal attitudes toward each other have long been known and appreciated by all of us who work for Callaway Mills Company.

On our cover this week is an aerial picture showing the Milstead Plant as it is today and a portion of the comfortable homes of its employees. For story, “50 Years at Milstead,” and pictures that will bring back memories, see pages 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

50 Years of Progress
1904-1954

1st Shift 1933 pictures

A lot of water has sped down the Yellow River, boiled through the "race" channeling it into the power house, and turned the water wheels supplying power to the Milstead Plant since Mr. Fuller E. Callaway, Sr. was elected President of Milstead Manufacturing Company on September 21, 1904. Steady expansion and growth have characterized the Milstead plant since it was conceived at the turn of the century and completed in 1902. Chartered on January 2,1902, the Milstead Manufacturing Company was erected on the site of the old paper mill near the city of Conyers in Rockdale County. Rock for its construction was obtained from the old granite quarry nearby, and power to run the mill machinery was supplied by the Yellow River streaming through a wooden race built for the purpose. Water wheels and long rope cables transmitted the power to operate the machinery up long "rope walks" to the plant.

IN THE BEGINNING

Those were the days when J. Baker Stewart was only 14 years old, carrying water to the men who built the plant. After the building was completed, Mr. Stewart took his first job as a Sweeper in the Finishing Room, and today, at 67, he has a record of 52 years with the Company — the longest continuous employment record in the Company. Milstead was young, numbering from three to four hundred persons, having only a few houses and streets and with a well for drinking water in the center of each street. The Milstead railroad locomotive plied its busy way from the plants to Conyers and return, carrying supplies and finished goods on each round trip.

In the beginning, the plant manufactured yarn, the first of which was produced "about May, 1903 " according to Mr. Stewart. However, on July, 20, 1904, with Mr. Callaway elected Agent for the Company, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of "160 spindles, spooling; 240 spindles, twisting; and 12 heads Universal, winding," and the first steps were completed which expanded the Company's manufacture from yarn to duck. Other steps designed to expand the mill followed. In March, 1904, an auxiliary steam plant was authorized, and in January, 1906, Mr. Callaway was "empowered to buy six cards, 12 deliveries, drawing; and one speeder, "Later in that year, the dam across the Yellow River was raised to increase the force of water in the race.

2nd Shift 1933 pictures

COMPANY EXPANDS

By 1908, the Company was well established and a proven success, and the railroad was now incorporated under the name of Milstead Railroad Company. A "rock and cement race" was authorized to be built "adjacent to the old paper mill to replace the wooden one now in use." Further expansion followed through the years. In 1909 and 1910, the local manager, A. F. Johnson, was to build a plant office, buy 10 new looms,  build a cotton warehouse, fence in the mill buildings and purchase a new locomotive. By 1915, seven new houses for employees had been built and several warehouses, sheds, and platforms had been added. A new opening room and a dynamo room were built later in the year, and the construction of a new school building was authorized. Always acutely conscious of the religious life of the Company's employees, the Board of Directors had, as early as 1904, set aside property for the building of a Methodist and Baptist church and provided that half of the cost of building them would be paid by the Company.

Picture of the Old Quarry

Old quarry from which rock was taken to build Milstead Plant.

Picture of Plant in 1910

Milstead Plant, 1910, showing old paper mill and Milstead Manufacturing Company from across the Yellow River. Note covered “rope walk” by which power was transmitted from water wheels to the plant (extreme left); old paper mill (left center).

Picture of the Old Chaffle Engine

Old Chaffle Engine, 1927- 28. One of two used on the Milstead railroad which was three miles long. Note old chaffle rods on side of engine. This locomotive would go a terrifying 10 miles per hour, but was very powerful.

Milstead School Teachers Picture

Mr. C. J. Hicks, Superintendent of the Milstead Public School and his teaching staff, 1927-1928. Front row, left to right - Miss Louise Smith (Mrs. Jimmy Murdock), Elizabeth Deariso, Miss Kathryn McDaniel, and Miss Florence Caldwell (Mrs. Ike Hay), Back row - Miss Willa Young, Mrs. Fannie Freeman, Miss Sarah Kate Strickland (Mrs. Charles Smith), Miss Sara Sue Ramsey, (Mrs. Robinson), C. J. Hicks, Mrs. C. J. Hicks, Miss Emma Sue Holsenback (Mrs. Hugh Hicks) and Miss Margie Walker (Mrs. Gleaton).

Yellow River Dam Picture

Dam on the Yellow River

J. Baker Stewart Picture

J. Baker Stewart has a record of 52 years with the Company, the longest continuous employment record in the company.

Mistead Dam Picture

Race from the Milstead Dam.

Generator Picture

One of the generators in use today in the power plant.

PATRIOTIC OFFER

The entry of our country into World War I promoted the Directors to adopt the following resolution: “that the management be authorized to offer the services of the Company to the U.S. Government to manufacture 300,000 pounds per annum of duck - for hammocks and bags at actual cost to the Company. The government gratefully accepted this patriotic offer.

Office Picture

The steady pattern of expansion and modernization apparent to 1917 has continued to date. Steam power was replaced by a more modern hydroelectric system in 1924. The present office building, which was formerly atop the hill from where it is now located, was rebuilt within the limits of the plant confines, and a whistle now calls the shifts to work instead of the old bell which formerly pealed the hours of the day and night. Today a variety of products are manufactured including hose and belt fabrics, filter twills, and chafer fabrics, and the management is constantly experimenting with the newest synthetic fibers — nylon, rayon, and dacron — in order to keep Milstead's products abreast of the times in appearance, durability, and quality.

Basketball Pictures

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

When C. J. Hicks, who has been associated with the recreational activities for many years, first came to Milstead in 1925, he found a plant baseball team, an employee band, and a tennis court or two. There was no organized program of activities and no permanent staff to direct one. Since that time, recreation in Milstead has expanded to include a host of activities directed by a staff of trained recreation leaders. Today, James F, "Bubber" Snider, assisted by Miss Betty Herring, capably conducts a large range of activities, including arts and crafts, dancing, social clubs and other activities. From a single baseball team and a tennis court or two, sports in Milstead now include archery, baseball, basketball, badminton, bowling, softball, tennis, horseshoes, skating, golf and tumbling. Swimming, a popular pastime for the people of Milstead and their children, received its biggest boost in l933 when the pool was built. Since then, a comprehensive program of swimming instruction has developed, and the pool has been regularly modernized and maintained.

MILSTEAD COMMUNITY CENTER

The present Milstead Community Center used to be the Martha Washington Hotel before its conversion to a YMCA in 1933. A gymnasium was built in the rear of the building at that time, a library was established in one room, and another was set aside for the Boy Scouts. Bowling alleys were added by Britt W. Robinson, Superintendent of the Plant in 1941. Today, in addition to the gym and dressing rooms for swimmers and athletes, the Community Center includes an arts and crafts room, a game room, a television viewing room, a reading room and a club room.

Baseball Pictures

Not only the physical, but the spiritual lives of the people of the community have been safeguarded and expanded during the past 50 years. Our people are extremely active in the work of the churches and are constantly working to extend the teachings of Christ in their community.

"The people who worked for the Company back in 1904 are a lot different from most of them today," said Mr. Baker Stewart. "Most of us were green hands, there were not many schools and our educations had to be slighted. Today, many of the people have had high school educations, and many of their children are going to college. People today know how to enjoy life more — they have more to do and more conveniences to help them enjoy life. For example, in 1902, I lived in Conyers and walked the two miles to work each day for eight years. Then, I bought an old plug and a buggy. Contrast, my experience then with today. I can drive to work on paved roads in my automobile, watch television with friends, or do any number of things."

Snider & Herring Picture

THE PAST 50 YEARS

The past 50 years have been kind to the Milstead Plant and to its people. The plant is larger, more modern and productive than ever before, and its people can produce better materials in less time. The Milstead community and the neighboring city of Conyers are bigger, better places in which to live, and some of the finest people in the country are born and reared there, educated and trained to meet the exacting conditions of modern life. Charles E. Rich, Plant Manager of the Milstead Plant, was born in Lloyd, Fla., on March 31, 1912. He attended Elementary and High School in Foley, Ala., and later received a B. S. degree in Textile Engineering from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, Ala. He began working for the Company mopping cards at Unity Plant in July, 1934. In August, he became a Time Study Man at Unity Plant, a job he held until November, 1935, when he became Assistant to the Head Overhauler of all plants. From August, 1936, until January, 1937, he was Production Supervisor at Elm City Plant, and then he became Night Supervisor until August, 1937, when he was promoted to Superintendent of Elm City Plant. In April, 1940, he became Assistant Superintendent of the Milstead Plant, and in May, 1943, he became Superintendent. On November, 1944, he was promoted to Plant Manager, his present position. Mr. Rich is extremely active in city and county affairs. He is a member of  the Conyers Lions Club and the Covington Elks Club. He is married to the former Sarah Winifred Milam and they have three daughters — Helen, Sally, and Charlene.

Superintendents Picture

IN APPRECIATION

The Callaway Beacon deeply appreciates the help given its staff in compiling this story on the Milstead Plant. It is a difficult task at best to get dates exact or to trace various changes which take place in a Company's history. When many fine and helpful people step forward to help accumulate the facts for a story, the burden of writing it is considerably reduced.

The Beacon particularly wishes to thank the following persons for their generous assistance: Mr. Mercer Hull, Vice President of the Bank of Rockdale; Mr. J. M. Towns, Agent at the Conyers Railroad Depot; Mr. J. A. (Ab) Perry, former Secretary to Mr. Fuller E. Callaway; Messrs. Charles E. Rich, Plant Manager; Fred Carlisle, Office Manager; and Frank Smith, Beacon Reporter. Special thanks are due Mr. C. J. Hicks, Superintendent of the Milstead Grammar School, who supplied several of the pictures on these pages. Thanks also to the many persons not named here who in many ways helped to make this story possible.

Library Picture

First Library in Milstead in YMCA. Miss Sara Brannon (standing) was Librarian. Possible identification of children is as follows: (around table, left to right) Jerry Hicks (at head of table), Jane Burnley, Bonnie Norman, Sara Joe Mathis and Doris Green: (at rear of room, left to right), Loretta McCurry, Mary Lou Wallace, and Dottie Kilpatrick.

Methodist Picture

Milstead Methodist Church about 1930. The land for the church and half of the cost of construction was donated on July 20, 1904, by the Board of Directors of the Milstead Manufacturing Company.

Baptist Missionary Society Picture

Baptist Missionary Society, 1934-35. Front row, 1. to r. - Mrs. Garner Kennedy, Mrs. Joe Blankenship, Mrs. D. E. Bonner, Mrs. Bob Hall, Mrs. Frank Cotton (Waters), Mrs. Chester Walls, and Mrs. Shorty Herndon; back row — Mrs. Grady Britt, Mrs. J. H. Thompson, Rebecca Whatley, Mrs. James Bradford, Mrs. Will Black, and Mrs. L. W. Waters.