Unite Famous Family
And Weld Industries
Hopedale and Milford Hear
Reconciliation Will
Bring Merger
Old Rift Recalled
Separate Concerns Result
of Disagreement of
Years Ago
MILFORD, Feb. 27, [1927] -- Is Princess Boncompagni, the beloved Margaret P. Draper, cast for the leading role in a drama of real life that may bring about the complete reunion of the Draper family and incidentally bring a change in the industrial life of this section?
This is the question that all Milford and Hopedale are asking today following the meager reports of the possibility of the merger of the Hopedale Manufacturing Company of Milford and the Draper Corporation of Hopedale.
On the face of it this fusion of the two industries each among the most important in their respective towns, would be nothing more than an ordinary transaction such as bug business is accustomed to note in passing and then forget. But in Milford and Hopedale at least, there is a dramatic and romantic significance that might well dignify the pen of a playwright. And in the foreground is the gracious democratic figure of this daughter of the late Gen. William F. Draper of Civil War fame.
Founded as "Community"
The setting for this industrial drama goes back to the days of Ebenezer Daggett Draper and George Draper. It was these members of the Draper family who formed the cornerstone of the great industrial structure they and their successors have erected in Hopedale. Back in the 50s they became identified with the so-called Hopedale Community, an idealistic co-operative enterprise. They were among the largest stockholders.
After a time, however, they became doubtful of the success of the industry at Hopedale and wished to withdraw. Their interests ere so large, however, that they were obliged to take the plant of the community, assuming the debts and continuing the business as a partnership. To their surprise, however, business prospered and their capital increased.
When Ebenezer Draper decided to withdraw from the firm his interest were brough by Gen. W.F. Draper, eldest son of George. Gen. Draper in later years served his state in Congress and was the Ambassador to Rome. The firm name when he joined, became George Draper & Son. In 1877, another son was admitted to the firm and the name was again changed, this time to George Draper & Sons. The late Gov. Eben S. Draper was admitted to the firm in 1880.
Sons Continue Business
After the death of the father, the three brothers, Gen. William F. Draper, Eben S. and George A., continued the business which continued to expand and which became world famous for the manufacture of cotton looms. From time to time there came other changes in the firm, with other members of the Draper family being admitted to carry on as their fathers had.
But what interested the people of Milford and Hopedale was the report that there had suddenly come a rift in the relations between Gen. Draper and his brothers. It caused long and earnest discussion among the townspeople. Every movement of the various branches of the Draper family was regarded as significant.
The circle of discussions widened. From Milford and Hopedale it spread throughout the New England industrial world and in society circles of Massachusetts. It caused a mild sensation, this report that a family of such distinguished public service and so all-important in the industrial life of the state had come to a parting of the ways, not only in their social life, but in a business way as well.
This was in 1895 or thereabouts, soon after President William McKinley had sent Gen. Draper to Italy as the ambassador. The added prominence which this appointment gave to the family only increased the discussion.
But from the Draper family there came no word of explanation. They went about their ways apparently undisturbed by rumors that spread. Hopedale and Milford residents, however, claimed then to observe that the cordiality that once had existed between the families was no longer apparent.
Gen. Draper Withdraws
Then came the word that Gen. Draper was no longer associated, at least actively, with the Draper Corporation. He was reported to have gotten out of the company completely and to have disposed of his stock.
The reasons were never made public but various stories gained circulation. One was that while he was in Italy looking after the interests of the United States his salary as an official of the Draper Corporation had been drastically decreased, so much so that he was greatly displeased with the action. Still another story had it that he did not like large expenditures of money for experimentation purpose during his absence. [Most accounts have it the other way around - the general favored more research while his brothers wanted to lessen the emphasis on it.]
But whatever the reasons the break between the brothers was no longer a secret and at that time formed one of the principal topics of conversation.
Eventually it led to the formation of the Hopedale Manufacturing Co. The company during the life of Gen. Draper did not attain the prominence that came later, but it was the general who laid the foundation for it with the aid of James H. Northrop, who contributed much to the advancement and progress of the textile industry through his inventions, principal of which was the automatic loom which virtually revolutionized the industry.
And through the years, while time is said to have softened somewhat the rift between the branches of the Draper family it is said that the breach never was entirely repaired until the recent homecoming of the Princess Boncompagni, which was followed soon afterward by reports of the pending merger of the Hopedale Company. and the Draper Corporation
. Cousins Head Companies
During the years that have intervened since then, Draper and his brothers dissolved their business connections the Draper Corporation has been carried on by sons of the late Gov. Eben S. Draper while the Hopedale Company interests have been advanced by sons of Gen. Draper.
Today B.H. Bristow Draper, son of the late governor is the virtual head of the Draper Corporation, with which Eben S. Jr., who has served his state as a state senator is also affiliated, while Clare and George O. Draper, sons of Gen. Draper, assist in carrying on the Hopedale Manufacturing Company., of which James Northrop is president.
The Princess Boncompagni is a half sister of Clare and George O. Draper, being a daughter of the general by a second wife.
Both the Draper Corporation and the Hopedale Manufacturing Company have been engaged in the manufacture of textile machinery, the Drapers specializing in cotton looms and the Hopedale Company in silk looms.
Princess Boncompagni, who married an Italian nobleman, while spending much time abroad has frequently returned to the scene of her girlhood days. In Milford and Hopedale she is regarded by the poor as a fairy princess because of the charity work she has carried on in a quiet way. But it was not until she came back to the ancestral home a few months ago that Milford and Hopedale began to vibrate with the reports that she was seeking to bring about a reunion of the Draper family branches and unite them not only in a social way but in an industrial way as well.
Princess Deplored Rift
The Princess, it was reported, had always deplored the rift in the family. Gifted with a pleasant personality she was beloved by all of the Drapers.
Milford and Hopedale were aquiver with the gossip that the princess had lost no opportunity to express her wish that they might all be reunited. This gossip reached the climax with the report that Mr. and Mrs. Clare Draper entertained at dinner for Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Bristow Draper while the princess was visiting and that a week later the Bristow Drapers had returned the compliment. During this time Eben S. Draper, jr., was in Europe, it is said, but was apprised of the happenings which, it is reported, had his approval.
Officials of both the Draper Corporation and the Hopedale Company say that there has been no merger, but they will not discuss the report that negotiations are under way which may bring it about. They have no information to give, they reply to all questions.
It is admitted, however, that some of the employees of the Hopedale Company have been given notices that their services will no longer be required. No large number have been given any specified time for completing their services but there has been a gradual dropping of employees, the number of which is now about 300.
In the meantime, Princess Boncompagni is reported to be in Washington watching developments with interest. Her main object, it is said, was the establishment of cordial relations between the members of the family. Worcester Telegram, February 28, 1927
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In 1927, Clare Draper, unable to compete with the larger Draper Corporation, closed the Hopedale Manufacturing Company and sold the 147 patents his company owned to Drapers for one dollar. He received a seat on the Draper board of directors, the positon of manager of the experimental department and a sales management position for one of his sons.
The Worcester Telegram article above suggests that Princes Boncompagni was the prime mover in ending the Draper feud. The clipping was found with other Draper family material that had been saved by William (Bill) Draper, the son of Clare Draper. However, Bill also had the following letter, written to the princess by her cousin, Dorothy Draper Gannett. Dorothy was the daughter of Eben Draper and the mother of Bill Gannett. Bill Draper had been given many of the letters, clippings and papers that his aunt, the princess, had saved, at the time of her death. I can't be sure what he saved on his own and what came from her, but probably the article above and certainly the letter below came from her collection.. Unfortunately, the year isn't given with the date on the letter, but the context certainly indicates that Dorothy is trying to "break the ice" and end the feud and hadn't been previously contacted by the princess on the matter. The last sentence in the first paragraph of the letter suggests progress had already been made by one of Dorothy's cousins. Helen was almost certainly Helen Draper, the daughter of George A. and Jessie Draper, and according to the letter, was in contact with the princess.
Station Post Office and Telephone
Hyde Park, Mass.
Brush Hill Road
Milton
Dear Margaret,
It has been very much in my mind and heart during the months since you have returned to this country, to want to see you. I have hesitated, in view of the many years since we used to play together in Hopedale, to take the first step toward you, as I do not know what your feelings are about us as a family, and about future relations with us all. But when Helen told me that she was going to stay with you, I felt that the past would be allowed to rest as the past and not direct our future course.
I would like to say very frankly that I would like to see you, that I have only the most friendly feelings toward you, and that after all you and I are first cousins, very nearly of the same age, and it seems a great pity to me that we cannot be friends with the multitude of early associations of Hopedale which we share.
If you do not feel as I do about this, please say so quite frankly; it is not likely that our paths in life will ever be very closely connected and yet when you are in this country, it would be a pleasure to me to see you, and to have you know my husband and children. I am sending this letter to Helen as I am not sure of your address, and have asked her to give it to you when she is with you.
It gives me the opportunity to at least express my real feelings to you, regardless of what your attitude may be.
Affectionately your cousin,
Dorothy Draper Gannett
April the twenty second
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