The following article was printed in the Fulton Daily Leader March 23, 1959. With sesquicentennial celebration approaching for the city of Fulton, The Fulton Leader will select articles about people, places and events in the city from 50 years ago, to print weekly leading up to the celebration July 22.
“The Ferry-Morse Seed Company opened operations at their new plant location here this morning as they shipped their first order for replacement seed.
Mr. James Pottinger, president of the Company from Detroit, Michigan was on hand for the occasion. Press and radio personnel from the surrounding territory were invited to a press conference beginning at 11 a.m. The group made a tour of the plant and then adjourned to the Park-Terrace for a luncheon meeting.
Although the plant is still under construction approximately one half of it is being used for the present limited operation.
The plant will employ over 200 people. In addressing the group at the luncheon, Mr. Pattinger stated, ‘We can’t find praise enough for the people of this community.’ He was referring to the cooperation, courtesy and friendliness that had been extended by the entire community.
Pattinger stated that present plans call for the plant to be in full operation by the end of May.
‘No one in the Ferry Morse organization with a blindfold on stepped up to a map of the United States, put his finger down, and singled out Fulton. We don’t do things that way. We knew that we wanted to be in the center of our national market, and this would be some place within a four-state area. This area was composed of Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri. From these four states approximately 40 cities were initially selected for possible plant sites. This list was then narrowed down to 10; among them Fulton.
As the towns narrowed down the task to select just one became more difficult. In utmost fairness to all the communities thoroughly investigated, we should explain that the factors in which we were interested were carefully weighed against what the particular community could offer. Fulton, Kentucky proved to be that city most nearly meeting all of those requirements.’
He continued, ‘Our move to Fulton has gained momentum in the past several weeks. At this moment, there are eight van loads of equipment moving southward. Eight van loads have been delivered – two rail cars are now en route.
‘The total number of truckloads, finally destined for our Fulton Packet Seed Division is 100. This is quite an immense moving job. By the end of May, we should be completely moved and established in our new home.”
‘The Ferry-Morse Seed Co., as you may know, is 103 years old. We have survived several major wars, depressions and one near-disastrous fire at our Detroit headquarters.
We are proud of our public and employee relations. There is no reason to believe that our relations here in Fulton will be any different than elsewhere.
‘Your hospitality – and your friendliness – is most gratifying, and is making our relocation in Kentucky easier. The warm hand of friendship has been extended everywhere.
‘It will be our seincere desire to respond to this expression of confidence and friendship.
‘We are happy to have this opportunity to say Thank You. We feel certain the years to come will be mutually prosperous, happy and rewarding.’
The approximate cost of the Fulton plant is around $1,400,000.”
