Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Chilhowie Milling Company Correspondence, Ms1989-086, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Chilhowie Milling Company Correspondence was purchased by Special Collections in 1989.

Processing Information

Initial processing and description of the Chilhowie Milling Company Correspondence was completed prior to 2009. Additional processing, arrangement, and description of the collection was completed in September 2015.

Historical Note

The Chilhowie Milling Company was founded by Major Michael Tate in 1882 in Chilhowie, Smyth County, Virginia. Upon his death, James D. Tate inherited the company from his father. According to Chilhowie Town records the mill underwent renovations in 1897. According to materials in the collection, the Mill underwent renovation again in 1917. During the 1917 renovation, the company transitioned from coal powered machinery to steam powered machinery. In 1993, Chilhowie Mill burned in a fire and did not reopen.

Sources:

"Smyth County." Byrd, Kimberly Barr; Williams, Debra J. Arcadia Publishing. 2005.

"Town of Chilhowie." Website http://www.chilhowie.org/sitecontent/index/page/Town%20History .2015.

Scope and Contents

This collection includes correspondence between Chilhowie Milling Company and business partners over a two year period from 1916 and 1917, though there are limited papers in the year of 1916. Additionally, the collection includes business transaction papers that contain form orders, bills, receipts, and marketing aids.

At the beginning of 1917, between February-March 1917, Chilhowie Milling Company communicated with banks, Nordyke and Marmon (Flour Mill Engineers), Norfolk and Western Railway Company, and Millers National Insurance Company to try and move their company to a new building. In addition, the company communicates with Virginia Portland Cement Company about quotes per barrel of cement. At the beginning of March, cement costs 2.22 per barrel, but by March 17th the price raises 10 cents. By March 20th, cement is 2.42 per barrel in cloth sacks vs. 2.17 in paper sacks.

The primary negotiation between Chilhowie Milling Company, Nordyke and Marmon Engineering Company is concluded by the end of July. From April 1917 to June 1917, Chilhowie worked with Nordyke and Marmon Company to create a blueprint of the new mill building. At that Point Chilhowie Milling Company planned to transition from coal powered machinery to steam powered machinery. There were miscommunications between the companies with regards to machinery, build, and shipments primarily in the months of May and June. Though the companies still struggle with communication over shipment orders in July.

In late August and early September 1917, local businesses and livestock farmers contacted Chilhowie Milling Company about business transactions. Over the month of September, final machinery and siding were shipped to the company. Chilhowie Milling Company did not reopen until October first when all of the steam machinery was in place.

October, November, and December correspondence include price estimates and business proposals between Chilhowie, business clients, and colleagues.

Companies in the collection with whom Chilhowie Milling Company corresponded includes:

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series. Series I: Correspondence includes letters to and from various business partners of the Chilhowie Milling Company, written between 1916 and 1917. Letters in this series are arranged in chronological order, with the undated materials at the end.

Series II: Business Papers consists of administrative and official records from the company, including notes, bills, receipts, vouchers, sample contracts, and other items. This series is arranged by material type.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Smyth County (Va.)
• Tate, James D.
• Tate, Michael, Major

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Chilhowie Milling Company Correspondence by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).