Articles Transcribed from the Perth Courier

Articles Transcribed from the Perth Courier

Pertaining to the Facer Steel Wheel Co.

03-08-1895                    The Facer Car Wheel Co.

Mr. Facer, the inventory and patentee of the solid steel railway carwheel, is at present in town, and states his company intends opening of the manufacture of carwheels in Perth this summer. He will also manufacture in the United States. The American Manufacture, Pittsburgh, Pa., says:- “The Facer Hammered Solid Steel Car and Locomotive Steel Company (Ltd.) is applying for incorporation with a capital stock of $150,000 and headquarters at Perth, Ont., to manufacture wrought or forged steel wheels, ect. Whether of steel or iron.”

07-19-1895 pg.5             Office Opened

Mr. Ramsden will next week open an office of the Facer Car Wheel Co. in the office of the formerly occupied by Dr. Beeman, Foster?at. The public from town and country will be welcomed. Anyone wishing information about this important invention, and anyone wishing to take any stock, can get all the information they want by calling on Mr. Ramsden at the office. We will give more particulars about this proposed next week.

02-14-1896                     Wood Wanted

1500 cords of good soft-wood wanted at the building of the Facer Solid Steel Car Wheel Co., Lt’d. Apply at the office.     H.R. Gray, Sec’y

(Note – I wonder if this H.R. Grey is related to the Florence Elizabeth Gray that married Hubert Peter Salter)

02-28-1896 pg. 5            A Curlers Welcome

Mr. Ralston, engineer at the Facer carwheel works, was up in Galt last week inspecting the boilers being constructed for the factory here. His verdict was that they make fine boilers in Galt. Having got through with his inspection, and having a few hours’ wait for the train, he visited the fine curling rink, where he received a welcome that was surprising to him. A game was got up for his benefit, and he was royally entertained up to the hour of his departure. He says curling is a fine game, and that the Galt curlers are a fine lot of fellows.

03-20-1896 pg.5             The Facer Solid Steel Car-Wheel Co.

When mention was first made of this company locating in the town of Perth, some people shook their heads, and others opposed it, privately or openly, and this we do not deny they had a perfect right to do. These doubters, however, will be not a little surprised to learn that hardly a day passes but that a fresh impetus is given to the company’s progress.  It is steadily gaining in the estimation of the public, especially the public outside of Perth. Through the kindness of Mr. Duval, foreman of the C.P.R. carshops here, the Facer company are being allowed the use of the Railway company’s large planer for dressing the heavy timbers for their anvil foundations. A privilege of this kind can be appreciated when it is known that had it not been granted the timbers would have to be shipped elsewhere to be dressed. The secretary of the Facer company informs us that he has been in communication with several large steel concerns on the procuring of the steel ingots from which the wheels are made. In this connection, one company in Montreal, “The Canada Switch and Spring Co., Lim.,” a week ago took up the steel question at their annual meeting. This company now runs a small crucible steel plant, and informed the Perth company with it they could not supply the necessary quantity of steel ingots, but after considering the question at their annual meeting they have decided to so increase their steel plant that they will be able to meet all demands. They proposed putting in an open-hearth which will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000. When it is known that to supply the Wheel company’s wants a Montreal company will spend such an amount when had it not been for Perth’s new enterprise the matter would not have been considered at all, our readers may gather some idea of the importance of having in our midst such a manufacturing enterprises as the Facer Co., and at the same time answer a most important question for themselves – when a large Montreal company will strain a $40,000 point to meet the Facer Wheel Co., are not the prospects for the Steel Wheel Co. bright and promising!

07-17-1896                      Facer Solid Steel Car-Wheel Co.

                                        Annual Meeting, Facer Carwheel Co.

On Monday, 13th last, the first annual meeting since organization of the Facer Solid steel –Wheel Co., Limited, of Perth, was held in the music hall. A large number of shareholders were present, and a lively interest was taken in all the proceedings. Mr. J. A. Allen, President of the Company, occupied the chair, and delivered an address reviewing the history of the past year, showing the work done, the difficulties overcome, the prospects for the future, and explaining to the stock holders the delays that had occurred in the arrival of machinery, and to the satisfaction of all present explained how no one in particular could be censured for the delay, as it was on account of the magnitude of the machinery required. A financial statement was presented by the companies secretary, Mr. H.R. Gray, showing the years income and expenditure and the present assets and liabilities: in connection with this report of the Auditor, Mr. R Jamieson, as to the accuracy of the books, vouchers, &c, and the certificate from the acting manager of the Merchants’ Bank as to the correctness of the balance stated being on hand were read. The financial statement will be printed and forwarded to each shareholder. A set of by-laws was considered by the meeting and adopted with some amendments, chief among which

was that of changing the date of the annual meeting to the third Monday in June of each year. At the ensuing election of officers the following were elected by acclamation: Auditor for stockholders, R. Jamieson: Directors, J. A. Allan, H.R. Gray, P.P. Salter, A. T. Wilson and Samuel Wilson. A vote of thanks to the chairman was passed, and the meeting adjourned.

11-06-1896 pg.5                         Facer Car Wheel Co.,

Mr. H.R. Gray having resigned the position of Secretary of the Facer Car Wheel Co., a meeting took place on Wednesday afternoon to appoint a successor. Mr. J. A. Allan, president, was appointed to the vacancy, and this necessitated a further rearrangement, which was made as follows:-

President – Mr. A. T. Wilson, Perth

Vice Pres. – Mr. P.P. Salter, Carleton Place

Secretary – Mr. J. A. Allan, Perth

Directors – Messrs. Samuel Wilson and John Poole

12-04-1896 pg.5                         The Facer Carwheel Co.

Comparatively few people in the country have any conception of the magnitude of the work undertaken by the Facer Solid Steel Carwheel Company, and there has in some quarters grown the idea that but little progress has been made, and that the works are now at a standstill. One has only to enter the building and view the massive machinery already placed in position to have an idea quickly dispelled. While the members of the County Council were in session at Perth they took the opportunity of visiting the works; and the work done and the immense machinery almost ready to be put in motion proved a revelation to them. They had expected to find an empty building, but they saw one of the largest steam-hammers on the continent ready for work; a furnace, which elicited many inquiries and much admiration; two large boilers for supplying the hammer with steam, and much of the other machinery required for completing the steel wheel. We understand all the machines are on hand save the boring mill and the planning machine, which are now being tested and shipped. We may then confidently expect to see started in Perth an industry, which will revolutionize the manufacture of car wheels, and will bring Perth to a front position among the towns of Canada. That all may have an opportunity of examining the machinery before operations are actually commenced it has been decided to open the building to the public for a week, commencing on Monday next. We recommend everyone to avail himself of this privilege who can possibly do so. The inventor, Mr. J.A. Facer, is expected to be at the works and will gladly give all information about the machinery and the wheels to be manufactured.

12-18-1896   pg.4

Mr. James A. Facer, inventor and patentee of the Facer solid steel carwheel, arrived in town on Tuesday, and will remain here to superintend the erection of the machinery now arriving and the construction of the wheels. We are glad that Mr. Facer has become a resident of the town, and this should ensure the successful issue of the company’s issue.

01-01-1897                             The Facer Solid Steel Car Wheel Co., Ltd.

The Directors of the above Company have placed in Mr. K. Ramsden’s hands for sale 85 shares of the delinquent stock, to be sold on the following conditions vix-    $55.00 per share, to be paid on or before the thirty – first day of January, 1897; or sixty-five dollars per share, 25 per cent to be paid at time of subscription, and a further payment of 25 per cent at 2, 4, and 6 months.

Subscription list at the company’s office, Foster St., Perth.     W. H. Churchill, Secretary         

02-19-1897                             Between Pennsylvania and Perth

Impressions by the Way – Some Snap Shots at Ontario and Solid ?????

Mr. Horace F. McCann, editor of the Germantown (PA) Philadelphia Gazette, came to Perth last month to visit his friend, Mr. James A. Facer, of the car wheel works here. He wrote in the Gazette his “Impressions by the Way” which are so interesting that we reproduce them below:-

Winter beyond the St. Lawrence River is a totally different article to that served by Old Boroas in Germantown and vicinity. Instead of a temperature of about fifteen degrees below the freezing point and an occasional drop to zero, as we experienced within the last couple weeks the temperature at time gets down to thirty degrees below zero! To say that this was decidedly cold would be putting it mild; for the frost is so intense that it can be seen by the naked eye. On a cold, clear frosty morning, one sees floating in the air and glistening in the sunshine like a diamond dust, myriads of particles of tiny specks of frost resembling a clear weather snow storm. Everything appeared to be as still as death, save the cracking of the crisp snow beneath ones feet, and the cracking and banging of plank walks along the street, which contract so decidedly with the intense cold. Such was the writer’s experience in the Perth, Ontario a couple weeks ago.

The absence of snow in some parts of Ontario, up to the middle of January, has been a matter of deep concern to the farmers and the business people. During the winter months the farmer depends on the sledding and teaming to make business brisk, and as the snow usually falls early in December, there is good sleighing until late March. Then the farmer hauls his wood to market, an as nearly everyone burns wood, it means considerable money for those who cut down the trees and haul the cordwood to market. The best cordwood here sells for about $3.50 a cord. Occasionally as many as sixty or more sleds and teamsters can be seen in the town of Perth in one day, disposing of their wood. The first snow of sufficient depth to warrant sleighing this winter fell on January 20th, and then only about four inches, but it was sufficient to bring out the sleighs and everybody was happy.

Every town, borough and hamlet in the land have their popular people. This is as true of Canada as it of similar places in the United States. They are not necessarily the most honored or the wealthiest class of people who seem to have the good opinion of all classes. They are a combination of kindness, good cheer and wholesouled consideration for everybody. It was the narrator’s good fortune to meet a couple of individuals- William J Flett, the proprietor of the Revere House in Perth(1) and the other, P.P. Salter, of the Queen’s Hotel, Carleton Place, Ontario.(2)

Winter is a season of briskness and brightness among all classes in Canada. All the young folks go skating, from the little tots of four and five years to the middle aged. Indeed the children can skate almost as quickly as they can walk. A popular winter sport with the boys and young men is hockey, one of the fastest and hottest of games. It is shinny on ice. The ladies have hockey clubs too, but they are not so reckless as the boys in putting goals and wielding the stick. Another popular game common in Scotland, where it is common among all classes, is curling. This game is played in a rink 125 or 130 feet in length. A sheet of ice eight of nine feet across is marked off and certain marks are then made at each end of the rink, consisting of several concentric rings and a center one called a tee. Rival sides are selected and each player has a pair of flat shaped irons or stones weighing about fifty pounds each provided with handles which enables the players to hurl them along the ice, and to hurl them with an in turn or and out turn. The businessmen in Perth close their stores three evenings a week at six o’clock and go to the curling rink to enjoy their favorite sport. The keenness displayed by the rival teams in competition for victory is without a parallel in the winter sports here among the middle-aged.

Everybody in Canada especially the ladies take plenty of outdoor exercise in the winter months. This will explain the beauty of the complexion of Canadian women. As a rule the Canadian ladies are tall and graceful of figure and quick and active in their movements. Indeed the writer did not see a single stout lady in Perth.

A person does not feel the cold so keenly in Canada as he does in some of the Middle states. The air as a rule is dry and full of electricity and there are not the raw and chilly winds that we experience in the vicinity of Philadelphia a greater part of winter and early spring.

It was the writer’s pleasure through the kindness of mine host William J. Flett to enjoy a twenty-one mile open sleigh ride with the thermometer registering twenty degrees below zero.  All hands were muffled in coon skin fur coats, fur cape and fur gloves and there was a glow and warmth that made the distance seem short as the handsome team of horses sped along with tinkling bells at a twelve mile an hour gait. The only precaution necessary was to look after noses and the writer followed instructions to keep up a friction from time to time; he came in at the end of the trip as warm and comfortable as he could have wished for.

Canada has its Mississippi river which the writer crossed in visiting Carleton Place, where he was the guest of P.P. Salter and at whose commodious hotel he met a number of leading business men of the place. This is one of the most progressive towns in Ontario, with its rows of handsome stores, industrial establishments, large and commodious hotels, well-attended churches and handsome schoolhouses. At a banquet given at the Queen’s Hotel, to which the writer was invited and which was one of the most enjoyable occasions during his visit to Canada, he heard the kindest expression of good will toward the United States, and the hope was expressed that in the future all international troubles between the two countries would be settled by arbitration. These gentlemen were representative men too, strong, active and with more than ordinary intelligence, characteristics that predominate in nearly all Scotch-Canadian communities.

Nearly all the towns are provided with the Bell telephone and electric light, while the streets are broad and the side walks either paved or planked. The houses are comfortable and commodious, with double window sash to give extra warmth. The writer had the pleasure of visiting the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Herron (3), of Herron’s Mills, where he was shown Mr. Herron’s commodious stables, with fifty or more cows and twenty horses. Mr. Herron has in addition, in order to keep himself thoroughly employed, two or three cheese factories, a sawmill and a gristmill. He is apparently a young man between sixty and seventy years of age, and keeps young by being busy.

The town of Perth, where the works of the Facer Solid Wheel Co. is located, is one of the most conservative places in Ontario. There is a population of about 4,000 people, with half a dozen churches, a couple of banks, well kept hotels and up to date schools. Living is cheap and wages correspondingly low. The hotel charges at the best hotel in the place, the Revere, is $1.00 per day for a transient, and $4.50 per week for regular borders, and the menu is excellent, while the other accommodations are first class in every way. A restrictive license law compels all bars to be closed at 11 p.m. throughout the week, excepting Saturday evening, when they are closed at seven o’clock to remain closed until 7 o’clock Monday morning. A single policeman looks after the evildoers, and the place boasts of a commodious jail without prisoners.

The works of the Facer Solid steel Wheel Co. are almost ready to commence the manufacture of solid steel wheels for steam roads and trolley cars. The twelve ton steam hammer built by Bemont & Miles, of Philadelphia, which is said to be the finest hammer of its class in the country, is in position, and the boring mills, furnace, engine and boilers are ready to commence work. The patterns for the die were under the supervision of the inventor, Mr. James A. Facer, who has been in Perth for several weeks. It is expected the die will be cast and ready for work within a few weeks, when the wheels will be carefully made. Already orders are awaiting the starting up of the plant, and the day is not far distant when railroad trains will be rolling along on solid steel wheels, an innovation in railroad equipment that has been looked forward to for many years.

Our return home was by way of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad, crossing the St. Lawrence river at Prescott to Ogdensburg, by ferry, the channel being kept open by an ice boat, refusing this time to trust ourselves to a sleigh ride on ice of doubtful thickness and strength. When we arrived at Qgdensburg we were told that a terrible snowstorm was raging along the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad and that it was doubtful if we would be able to get to Syracuse that day. Such a trifling matter as a snowstorm, however, did not deter us from making the journey, but we found that the railroad authorities knew exactly what they were talking about. The Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad has a reputation of being the Tourists’ Ideal Route, at all seasons and under all circumstances, in sunlight or moonlight, winter and summer, the scene is always enchanting. The falls of Niagara, on this picturesque road, in winter, is sublime with its mountains of ice below the whirling flood and thunderous rumbling and roar, as it is in summer with its thousands of rainbows tumbling and jumbling together in one mighty and ever changing kaleidoscope, but it is in snow-storms that the road beats the work as a special dispatch to the Rochester Herald describes and confirms.

(Note – 1. Revere House in Perth – is mentioned in Abner Salter’s obituary as a place that he worked before he went to the Queens.  2. I thought this was an interesting description of Peter. 3. Herron is the name of the person that Marcella Salter married but I do not know if these Herron’s were related.)

05-21-1897 pg.5.                         The Facer Wheel at Carleton.

The contingent from the Facer Solid Steel Car Wheel Company, which visited Carleton Place on Saturday, formed quite a procession. The C. Canadian describes the incoming, &c. of the company as follows: - “Saturday morning last the Town was in the ecstasy of a sterling new sensation. It came upon us like a burst of splendor, no intimation having been given, and to thought having occurred to anybody that a demonstration would be made here of a conquest achieved so far away as Perth. But this is the home of the Vice President, Mr. P.P, Salter, and as in some measure a recognition of his generous investment in the enterprise, his unfailing faith in the genius and genuineness of Mr. Facer, and his personal inspiration all through the weary process, the Directorate determined to give a celebration of their triumph here. In all thirty-five people arrived. All met on the hill on the High street. Mr. Salter led the procession with his beautiful bay, which pranced as if its heart too were dilating and glorifying in the march. The Perth Citizens Band followed, then a spring wagon with the new steel wheel, and the others in carriages. It was at noon hour, and though most of the people were at their dinners, a large crowd witnessed the procession. Among the number, besides Mr. and Mrs., McCann, were Mr. Albert Wilson, the President, Mr. E Ramsden, promoter of the Perth company, Mr. Samuel Clark, the Manager of the Works, and Mr. W.H. Churchill. The wheel was placed at the Queen’s, and was seen by hundreds during the day and evening. It is the first steel wheel made in Canada, and the second one on the continent. Steel is the finest material for wheels and forging is the best process; and the fact that the Company received a $500 telegraphic order when the news got out at the first forge, and that already orders are booked from Philadelphia, Hamilton, Peterboro and J. R. Booth, show the widespread interest in it and are the foreshadowing of brilliant success. The wheel now weighs a little over 200 pounds. It strikes nearly every body as being of the age.”

06-25-1897 pg.5                         Meeting of the Facer Carwheel Co.

The annual meeting of the Facer Solid Steel Wheel Co. (Lim.) took place in the Music Hall on Monday afternoon, and was numerously attended. Mr. A. T. Wilson, President, occupied the chair, and Mr. W. A. Moore filled his duties as secretary. A balance sheet was read showing the company to be free of debt and something over $700 in cash in the bank to the credit of the company. A motion was passed recommending an increase of the directorate from five to seven, and a resolution was carried placing the salary of the Secretary at $25 per month. Motions were passed ordering the printing of the by laws of the company, financial statement, &c. a ballot was taken to elect the directors for 1897 – 98, resulting in the following: - Messrs. A. T. Wilson, Perth; Robt, Bowie, Brockville; John Poole, N. Elmsley; P.P. Salter, Carleton Place, and Ed. Ramsden, Perth. Two former directors, Messers. Samuel Wilson, Bathurst;, and J. A. Allen, Perth, had declined to hold office for the ensuing year.  Steps were to enable the directors to raise money on the credit of the company to enable the work of manufacturing to be continued beyond the experimental stage now attained: and it is expected the manufacturing will now be continued and extended.

09-22-1897 pg.5                         Facer Carwheel Co.

A general special meeting of this company was held in the music hall on Tuesday afternoon, which was attended by about forty shareholders. A resolution was passed giving the executive authority to borrow $4000, on the security of the plant, to carry on the business of the company, in the way of paying for dies, labor, ect. A resolution was passed enabling meetings to be called by simple letter or postal card, instead of by registered letter,

01-27-1899 pg.5                         Facer Car Wheel, Getting Noted.

A writer in the Globe of Saturday, in discussing the Georgian Bay short-line route, refers to the improvements lately in car building, by which heavier loads can be carried by cars now, and referring particularly to the solid ‘steel unbreakable wheels’ made in Perth, Ont., which will enable cars to carry 60 tons, or 2,000 bushels of wheat. We may also state that Mr. W.H. Comstock, of Brockville, has accepted the presidency of the Facer Company.

03-17-1899 pg.5                         Facer Carwheel

The Brockville Recorder says: - There is at present on exhibition at the auction rooms of Mr. James Robertson, King street, a sample of the goods recently turned out at the shops of the Facer Solid Street Car Wheel Co.,  Perth, which will be found of interest to many citizens. These wheels are cast from a solid piece of steel and are beautiful workmanship. Our townsman, Mr. Robert Bowie, is a member of the company. 

09-11-1901 pg.5                         Facer Carwheel Co. Meeting

At the annual meeting of the Facer Solid Steel Wheel Co., in the Council Chamber Last Wednesday, Oct. 2 the following officers were elected for the following year. : - President- Ed Ramsden; Vice-Pres. – P.P. Salter; Directors – A.T. Wilson. John Poole, Jas. J Cameron, Wm. McLaren and A.B. Bess. A special meeting of the shareholders will be held on Wednesday next, 10th inst. To take action upon a bylaw empowering the company to borrow money for the purposes therein mentioned, and to consider a proposition to raise money to pay off the liabilities of the company.

03-17-1911                                 Car Wheel Co. Changing Hands

Another big deal is being put through in Perth, which involves the change of the ownership in the car wheel works. The new owners are an American syndicate of capitalists. Mr. P.P. Salter of Ottawa, one of the original directors of the company, is expected here on Saturday. The Courier understands that the new owners can secure a contract of 200 wheels per day for five years. It is just possible the plant will be kept here by the new management, although Sydney or the Soo are also under consideration.

04-20-1917 pg 10                         Bought Car Wheel Works.

Mr. Thomas B. Caldwell is now the owner by purchase of the plant, land and buildings of the Facer Car Wheel Co. here, including the immense steam hammer, which at the time of its installation, was said to be the largest steam hammer in Canada. The giant machine was built for the purpose of making solid steel car wheels but the enterprise stopped at the experimental stages.

(Note – This last article creates a question about whether or not the Facer Co. ever made any money)


Received from: John Salter - [email protected]           Posted: 14 February, 2005.