125 Years Ago, 1900

Transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator

“Million dollar mill to be built. Youngstown Iron, Sheet and Tube Co. was incorporated at Columbus today. Prominent citizens interested. Capitalized at $600,000 but will be increased to one million soon – company formed by Col. George D. Wick and James A. Campbell – stockholders to organize next Wednesday – details of plans.”

“The Youngstown Iron, Sheet & Tube company incorporated at Columbus today with a capital stock of $600,000.

“The incorporation of this company means that Youngstown is to have another mill which in point of modern construction and up-to-date devices will be superior and in advance of anything new operated in the entire country.

“The mill will be something wholly new in this city or vicinity and as a matter of fact any place else, and will go still farther in more firmly establishing the paramount position Youngstown now occupies in the iron business.

“The new enterprise will be known as a bar, sheet and tube mill just as the name of the company indicates. The amount of money in which the company is incorporated does not signify the capital which will be invested in the gigantic project. One of the first acts of the board of directors will be to increase the capital stock to $1,000,000. An idea of the large proportions the mill will eventually assume can be had from this fact alone….

“All of the stock, $600,000 has been taken and there is more in sight just as soon as it is determined to expand the enterprise and as previously stated in this article this will be one of the first acts of the board of directors. The truth of the matter is that there are a number of people who are inclined to feel slighted at not being called upon to lay stock in the company and the reason that they were not was because the time was so short that the gentlemen who are responsible for this project did not have the opportunity to call upon them. One of the remarkable features about the new company the very short time which was required to mature and consummate all the various matters and details which are necessary to get such a vast amount of stock subscribed and the organization duly incorporated by the secretary of state.

“Another noticeable feature in connection with the company is the kind and class of people who subscribed stock. All classes are represented. Among the very heaviest stockholders are men who are well posted in and are already interested in the iron business, as well as other channels which are either directly or indirectly identified with it in some way. That the personnel of the list of stockholders is composed of this class of people it cannot help but speak volumes for the confidence in the ability of the two men who alone are responsible for the incorporation of the company. They are Colonel George D. Wick and James A. Campbell, both of whom have recently revered their connection with the Republic Iron & Steel company and whose achievements in the iron business stamps them as safe men with whom to entrust capital. Mr. Wick was not ‘turned down’ by a single gentleman whom he approached for stock. The same can also be said of Mr. Campbell….

“While the new company is an independent concern it is not organized to oppose any other company or combination. It is a legitimate investment of capital and the mill will be operated on its merits.”

• Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society