[368] business was so promising as quite to outrun the capital Colonel Dodge could afford to devote to it. In the spring of 1884 he took in another associate, and Mr. J. Edwin Davis became treasurer of the new corporation then formed with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, but retaining the old name. Mr. Davis has ever since been treasurer and manager, and to his energy, adaptability to his new conditions, and unusual business intelligence, as well as to the fact that Mr. Cowen and he have worked together with great harmony, is largely due the exceptional success of the enterprise. At that time the business had grown to employ some sixty hands, and was occupying a building on Broadway, opposite the present location of the factory. In 1886, however, although there were not far from eighteen thousand square feet of floor-room in this factory, the enterprise had grown to so considerable a size that it was determined to erect a plant especially adapted to the needs of the business, and the old Kinsley iron property, on the corner of Portland and Hampshire streets, was purchased, and a substantial brick building erected, with a number of reconstructed outbuildings. The enterprise, which had grown to require two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in 1888, was now incorporated in Massachusetts, with three hundred and fifty thousand dollars cash capital. In 1892 adjoining land was bought, and a new and larger mill with more outbuildings were added. In 1893 the capital was increased to six hundred thousand dollars. The following table of hands employed and floor-space occupied best tells the story of the growth of the company:—
| Date. | Employed. | Floor Surface. |
| January 1, 1880 | 7 persons. | 3,660 square feet. |
| January 1, 1881 | 25 persons. | |
| January 1, 1882 | 35 persons. | |
| January 1, 1883 | 40 persons. | 17, 7 00 square feet. |
| January 1, 1884 | 59 persons. | |
| January 1, 1885 | 65 persons. | |
| January 1, 1886 | 89 persons. | |
| January 1, 1887 | 104 persons. | 58,831 square feet. |
| January 1, 1888 | 134 persons. | |
| January 1, 1889 | 148 persons. | |
| January 1, 1890 | 163 persons. | |
| January 1, 1891 | 181 persons. | |
| January 1, 1892 | 16 persons. | |
| January 1, 1893 | 280 persons. | 178, 765 square feet. |
| January 1, 1894 | 366 persons. | |
| January 1, 1895 | 422 persons. | |
| January 1, 1896 | 975 persons. | 247,530 square feet. |
