812-Unc««tef Farming, Saturday. Jum 12,1993
Todd Detwller (left) and Fred Mellott work at the cleaning machine In the old Water*
side Woolen Mill.
Water Powers
Woolen Mill Revival
LINDA WILLIAMS
Bedford Co. Correspondent
WATERSIDE (Bedford Co.)
Todd Oetwiler is attempting to
wear his grandfather’s big shoes
in more ways than one.
In 1971, when Maurice Clouse,
Todd’s grandfather, died, he left
behind an old hydroelectric
woolen mill.
Now, thanks to his grandson,
the residents of Waterside will
once again hear the humming of
the cleaners, pickers, looms, and
other related machines as the old
mill resumes business as usual.
Meanwhile, Todd is running for
the office of District Justice, a
position once held by his
grandfather.
With fleece balls scattered
across the floor and the strong
smell of lanolin in the air, Todd
wears a satisfied smile as he fond
ly remembers his childhood play
ing in this old mill.
“I always thought I wanted to
leave here,” Todd smiles now. “I
was majoring in international bus
iness at a college in Virginia when
my dad called and said the old
family mill was for sale.”
“From then on, I couldn’t get it
out of my mind. I thought about it
first thing in the morning and last
thing at night Even when I was
Outside the old mill, water cascades over the dam providing ample electricity for
Todd’s living quarters and the mill equipment.
eating, it was on my mind. Two
weeks later, I called dad and told
him I was coming home to reopen
the mill.”
As Todd speaks he walks to the
window where a torrent of water is
pouring over the dam outside. “It
can produce enough electricity to
light up all of Waterside,” he
smiles. “And, certainly enough to
run all of these machines.”
It also provides electricity for
the mill apartment where Todd
resides.
Joining Todd in his venture is a
young, enthusiastic. Penn State
business agriculture student who
has a twinkle in his brown eves at
the very mention of the mill.
Bursting through a door that
hadn’t been opened in 20 years, he
surprised Todd one evening by
offering his help.
Together, the two have spent
more than a year researching and
studying hydroelectric power and
the many intricate machines in the
mill. Todd is grateful to some of
the senior citizens in the commun
ity who worked in the mill and
came forth to offer advice. “I’ve
had machine and mill experts
from as far away as New England
fly here to help me,” Todd says
appreciatively.
“Every part on every machine is
made of either leather, wood, or
steel,” Todd says. “No matter
what it is, we can duplicate it
These are parts we can order, but
usually, we must make them
ourselves.”
Research indicates that the mill
dates back to 1860. It is possible
the original mill burned and was
rebuilt even prior to that date. An
ad from a newspaper in 1860 asks
for a “weaver,” who must be both
Democrat and sober.
A ledger reveals that products
created at the mill include woolen
skirts, stockings, trousers, batting,
and blankets.
When production ceased in
1971, the main product was blank
ets. Almost every Sunday School
in the area purchased one for each
newlywed. Cost was in the $l5
brackets.
Batting and blankets will be the
first two items to come off of the
looms as the mill reopens, hope
fully early this coming fall. “We
already have a full order for our
first run,” Todd comments.
The blankets will bear the
labels from the label makers of the
19605. “We had to do some
research on that one, but we final
ly located the company,” Todd
smiles broadly.
(Turn to Pago B 20)
See your neares
(NEW HOLLAING
Dealer for Dependal
Equipment and
PENNSYLVANIA
Annvllle, PA
BHM Farm
Equipment, Inc.
RDI, Rte. 934
717-867-2211
Carlisle, PA
R&W Equipment Co.
35 East Willow Street
717-243-2686
Davldsburg, PA
George N. Gross, Inc.
R.D. 2, Dover, PA
717-292-1673
Elizabethtown, PA
Messick Farm
Equipment, Inc.
Rt. 283 - Rheem’s Exit
717-367-1319
Halifax, PA
Sweigard Bros.
R.D. 3, Box 13
717-896-3414
Honey Brook, PA
Dependable Motor Co.
East Main Street
215-273-3131
215-273-3737
Honey Grove, PA
Norman D. Clark
& Son, Inc.
Honey Grove, PA
717-734-3682
Loysville, PA
717-789-3117
MARYLAND
Frederick, MO
Ceresvillo
Ford New Holland, Inc.
Rt. 26 East
301-662-4197
Outside MD,
800-331-9122
NEW JERSEY
Bridgeton, N.J.
Leslie G. Fogg, Inc.
Canton & Stow Creek
Landing Rd.
609-451-2727
609-935-5145
Woodstown, NJ
Owen Supply Co.
Broad Street &
East Avenue
609-769-0303
Hughesvllle, P
Farnsworth Fan
Supplies, Inc.
103 Cemetery I
717-584-2106
New Holland, I
A.B.C. Groff, In
110 South Raili
717-354-4191
Oley, PA
C.J. Wonsidler
R.D. 2
215-987-6257
Pitman, PA
Schreffler Equi|
Pitman, PA
717-648-1120
Quakertown, PA
C.J. Wonsidler Bi
R.D. 1
215-536-1935
Tamaqua, PA
Charles S.Snydei
R.D. 3
717-386-5945
West Grove, PA
S.G. Lewis & Son,
R.D. 2, Box 66
215-869-2214
Washington,
Smith Tractor
Equip., Inc.
15 Hillcrest Ai
201-689-7900