Nature did her part in preparing this setting for a pretty town and Mr. Haynes [???] work through the years. All of his 400 cottages are set upon lots which afford the finest kind of natural drainage.
“Typhoid fever is a practically unknown quantity in Cliffside and there has never been but little sickness in the town.”
This may not be the city of seven hills but it is a town of numerous hills and upon the sloping summits of these hills rest prettily built and neatly painted houses, bordered with hedges and flowers of all kinds. The workers in the mill have all the comforts enjoyed by city folk. All homes are lighted by electricity. These houses are large, running from three to eight rooms each and sanitary arrangements are of the best. Surface closes receive daily attention, and as a result of the measures taken to promote health, this is one of the most healthful communities to be found anywhere. Typhoid fever is a practically unknown quantity in Cliffside and there has never been but little sickness in the town.
Water Supply is a Boost
The water supply at Cliffside is the boast of the town. Over the village there are several deep-bored wells, some dug wells, and right near the mill there is a well over 300-feet deep which furnishes as good white sulfur water as can be found anywhere. Water is pumped from this well by power from an electric motor. There is another deep well near the mill, the water from which has some iron in it. The pure water supply has played an important part in the remarkable health of Cliffside.
I may say here in full justice to others at this mill that Charles H. Haynes, a son of the founder of the mill, as well as other sons and as well as the mill superintendent, W.L. Packard, have given their best efforts to carrying out the humanitarian policies of R.R. Haynes.
It is a fine type of gentlemen one meets in this village.
I noticed that as a lady passes along the street, every man immediately doffs his hat—a chivalric custom among strangers, which alas is passing out in these more practical days. Everybody, too, seems happy and a healthier looking lot of people it would be hard to find.
As an indication of the sterling qualities of the operatives in this mill, it may be stated here that they are almost without exception intensely religious, deeply interested in matters of education and thoroughly industrious.
On the day I was at the mill there was a deposit (with the mill company) the sum of $51,406.68 of money belonging to the mill operatives. This large sum has been placed with the mill company by mill workers where it draws interest at the rate of 6%, the company paying this high rate on deposits in order to encourage savings.
These people in the Cliffside Mill are independent. They have their earnings and invest their money in education and in homes.
A few days previous to this four young ladies employed in the mill had come to the mill office and deposited out of their savings $420.
It is natural that with such thoughtful policies in effect, few operatives ever leave this mill unless it is to better themselves by going into business on their own account. Occasionally this happens.
Copyright © 2008 The Cliffside Historical Society
