In 1870 it was referred to as the Carbondale Stocking Yarn Factory, operated by A. & J. RAYNOR, with products in a newspaper announcement described as warp and filling, wool rolls, and so forth.  The owner of the enterprise Mr. Alonzo RAYNOR, was supplying uniforms for the Douglas Corps Cadets of S.I.N.U. in the late 1870s."

On the second floor the wool is prepared for spinning, by being run through three different machines.  This thoroughly interlaces the fiber, making the wool more perfect and producing a more even thread.  On the second floor is a jeck of 185 spindles, used for twisting stocking yarn.

The first floor contains six looms for weaving blankets, jeans and other fabrics, and the shear and finishing apparatus; also a jeck with 288 spindles – the largest machine of its kind in the state.  This is a beautiful piece of mechanism, easily operated and works with almost human skill.  The carding machines are the work of Mr. RAYNOR’s own hands, and are most credible specimens of his skill as a mechanic.

The quality of the goods turned out at this factory is equal to that of any from the most noted establishments in the state.  No better jeans has ever been produced, and the blankets, cassimeres, etc. cannot be excelled.  We hope RAYNOR’s example will have its due influence in inducing other manufacturers to locate in our city."

  Some events have transpired of late in our city which call for a public defense.  As a wife may not appear as a witness for her husband, she has no alternative but to sit in silence and see a great wrong done, or to resort to the press in order to gain a hearing from an intelligent people who hate injustice and fraud. The citizens of Carbondale all know Mr. RAYNOR to be an untiring worker, who for years has given himself to his work, early and late, in season and out of season - in the hope of placing himself on a sound business footing, and his family in good circumstances.  We have foregone many pleasures and dropped out of society in the struggle to get even with the world, for it takes a long purse to do both, that is, to be a pleasure-seeker, and a man free from debt.

  But what avails it when accidents befall or sickness overtakes, if one must empty his purse to every hungry claimant, who may put in his exorbitant charge, whether just or not?  At the time Mr. RAYNOR was scalded, some of the hands employed in the shops near the woolen mills sent for Dr. Heber ROBARTS without asking either Mr. RAYNOR or myself our preference, although Mr. RAYNOR was in a condition to choose, as was shown by his coming to his house unassisted by any one.  We both expressed a preference for Dr. MCANALLY, who had once been called into our family, but were told Dr. ROBARTS had been sent for and would soon be here. Knowing that medical aid was necessary at once I said nothing further at the time.

  Dr. Heber [sic] came into the house accompanied by Dr. SPENCER, whose presence was a surprise to me, to say the least; for we had no thought of sending for him. I presume the person who summoned him knows why he did so.  After considerable delay and conversation showing a difference of views between them, they ordered boiled oil and lime water; which right here I want to pronounce the filthiest remedy known and altogether out of date among intelligent physicians who are up to the times.  My injured bedding tells the story better than words can do.  They made a hasty application of it and departed, saying where they could be found if wanted, to which information I made no reply.  A friend coming in soon, I asked him to go for Dr. MCANALLY, which he did at once.

  Why?  I was so ignorant as to suppose it to be no crime to act as a free American citizen, and when I saw my husband in the very jaws of death, to summon the physician in whom I had the most confidence.  Dr. MCANALLY came and all through the trying days that followed, proved himself a courteous and Christian gentleman and a most skillful medical man.  His sympathy and aid at that time are gratefully remembered.  He daily dressed the suffering man's injuries, and did not leave it to unskilled or hired hands.  This is the plain, unvarnished truth, and do you ask why I have taken this method of telling it?  Simply for this reason, that some other one may profit by our sad experience; for it seems that if a doctor enters your house, whether he be your choice or not, even though it be for but the one time, he can charge what he pleases for that service.  Yes, more than half as much as the one who was regularly summoned made for days of faithful and anxious labor.

  Call this un-lady like if you choose, it matters not to me. I have written what I have written hoping it may serve to ventilate some of the hidden ways of our medical men, and hoping also, it may save some poor man the wherewith to buy bread for his children.

  Why should not doctors charge for their work as other men do?  Why should they be allowed to follow out the dictates of their own sweet will and place their charge just where it suits them, regardless of the work done?  Other professions do not practice such arts unless, indeed, it be the law - which is hard to understand.  Who will see to it, that there be something like concert of action between our physicians and that their charges be regulated according to something like justice? 

RAYNOR, Lettie Raynor,  January 30, 1911, beloved mother of D. E. Raynor, E. L. Raynor, and Mary C. Allison, aged 69 years old.  Funeral Tuesday at 10:30 AM, January 31st from her residence, 57 E. 42nd Street.  Burial at Oakwoods Cemetery (in Chicago) - Carbondale and Murphysboro (IL) papers please copy"

    Mrs. Lettie RAYNOR, aged 68 years and for many years a resident of Carbondale, died in Chicago Monday after a 3 months' illness with paralysis.

    Three children survive - Ernie L. RAYNOR and DeWitt RAYNOR, of Chicago, and Mrs. Ralph ALLISON of Murphysboro.

    Deceased was a daughter of the late Lewis LINCOLN, who died here a few years ago.  About three years ago she moved to Chicago, where she lived with her son, DeWitt, until suffering a stroke of paralysis three months ago, since which time she had been in a hospital in Chicago.

    The funeral arrangements have not been learned here.

[Carbondale Free Press]