April 22, 1863, Galveston Weekly News
The undersigned begs leave to inform the public that he has succeeded in introducing into this State two suits of double Wool Carding Machines and Picker, and has located the same at Prairie Lea, in Caldwell county, at the Mills of Mr. Thos. Mooney, on the San Marcos river. The machinery will be in operation by the first of May next, and wool will be carded into rolls for hand spinning, for cash or wool, at reasonable rates, and rolls constantly on hand for sale.
Mr. Thos. Mooney, an old Texian, is favorably known to many, having resided many years at Prairie Lea, is interested in the carding business, and will fix price and terms for carding wool and the sale of rolls. I have secured the services of a competent and experienced man in the person of Mr. S. S. Bryant, my father-in-law, to superintend the operative parts of the business, and can vouch for him in every particular, and I hope we may be able to give entire satisfaction to all who may favor us with their patronage, which we respectfully solicit.
Persons sending wool to the Factory to be carded will please observe the following suggestions: Wash the wool clean before sending it to the factory, or request in writing to have it cleansed at the factory. You need not pick the wool to pieces, only so much as is necessary to get the burs all out, but the burs must be all taken out before sending the wool to be carded. Send one pound of clean fresh lard to every ten pounds of wool, and strong sheets or blankets to pin up the rolls in.
The above named machinery will turn off work enough to keep one thousand hand spinning sheets supplied with rolls and furnish filling for two thousand yards of plantation goods per day.
Harris Hoyt.
Houston, April 21, 1863.