MANUFACTURERS OF PINS, BRACKETS AND CROSSARMS
R E MCQUAY, MANAGER
KEYSER TELEGRAPH SUPPLY CO
MANUFACTURERS OF PINS, BRACKETS AND CROSSARMS
R E MCQUAY, MANAGER
Wherever and whenever a want has been created in any branch
of business or department of human effort there has invariably been
found some one capable of satisfying it. A short time ago, Mr R E
McQuay came to the conclusion that there was a demand for telegraph
and telephone brackets, pins and crossarms, and that the
establishment of a factory for their manufacture would prove a
profitable and satisfactory investment. The result of this reasoning
was the forming of the Keyser Telegraph Supply co, which began
operations May 1st. To pluck, energy and business foresight, more
than to capital, may be attributed the founding of this enterprise,
for the total capital stock was only $500, which was subscribed by Mr
McQuay and a few friends.
The perfect judgment exercised is evidenced by the fact
that the little factory is running night and day, with orders booked
ahead aggregating 155,000 pis alone. The output includes: white oak
telephone brackets, locust and oak telephone and telegraph pins or
thimbles and oak and pie telegraph and telephone cross-arms.
These products are supplied painted or unpainted, and are
meeting with a heavy sale. In fact, the success attained has fully
realized Mr McQuay's expectations. Orders have been filled an new
orders received from such concerns as the General Electric Company,
(?Schenetady), NY, E J Nobelett, Chicago Ill; the Gran* V**ock and
woodworking Factories, Oswego, NY, aside from the local orders placed
by J C Fredlock, manager of the Piedmont Electric Light Plant, and
from the Gordon Telephone Company of Piedmont. Two of these orders
reached 65,000 pins each, another was for 35,000.
The capacity of the plant, (which is run night and day),
with its present equipment is from 4,500 to 6,000 pieces every twenty
four hours, including the men engaged in getting out the timber a
force of twenty hands is employed in the operation of concern. New
machinery is about to be installed, which will double the output, and
enable shipment to be made more promptly.
The manager of the Keyser Telegraph Supply co, Mr R E
McQuay, is a lumberman in the manor born. Incidentally, he is a
hustler, also, and during his residence in Keyser has become
impressed with the possibilities of this section. As a result, all of
his interests are centered here.
Born in Easton, Md, he entered the employ of the Tunis
Lumber Co, as a planning mill boy, and step by step rose finally to
the superintendency of this mammoth plant, one of the largest in the
United States. The Tunis Lumber companies handles an average of
10,000,000 feet annually. On sever*** connection with this company,
Mr McQuary entered the Baltimore postoffice, where he remained during
the first administration of president Cleveland. He afterward moved
to Rowlesburg, W Va, and subsequently to Buckhannon, where he resided
for five years.
In 1877, Mr McQuay married Miss Mary Briscoe, of Baltimore,
three children resulting from the union - a son Chas A (now a
bookkeeper for and a stockholder in the Keyser Tel. Supply co.) and
two daughters. In September, 1896, Mr McQuay removed to Keyser
engaging extensively in the lumber brokerage business, which he still
continues. His 22 years active experience in the business have given
him a perfect insight into its every detail. Last year he bought an
shipped over 300,000 feet of walnut, white and red oak and popular
lumber principally through the Alton Lumber and Coal Co, of
Buckhannon, to Eastern markets, Liverpool and Germany. This years
shipment will probably aggregate 1,000,000 ft. Only selected umber,
suitable for wagon, plant, furniture and house-finishing work is
handled, all purchases being made for cash. Timber is bought within a
radius of 50 miles of Keyser. Mr McQuay is a member of Lodge No 54, K
of P, at Buckhannon.
During the season at Mountain Lake Park, on the crest of
the Alleghenies, the Fallen cottage is open to a desirable class of
boarders. The resort is 25 miles west of Keyser, and its location is
an exceedingly fine one. good fishing is a feature. Mrs McQuay, the
hostess, has a happy faculty of making her guests, who sometimes
number 50 or more, thoroughly enjoy their stay.
TRANSCRIBED OCTOBER 28, 2001 BY PATTI MCDONALD
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TRIBUNE JULY 1898
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