Photo from the Warren Mail This advertisement for the Truth Soap Company was published in the June 11, 1896 edition of the Warren Mail. No hyperbole here, I’m sure.

But Warren once had a soap company.

The Truth Soap Company took over a smaller concern and set up shop in a Fourth Ave. factory in April 1895.

The Warren Evening News hailed the opening in May 1895 – “ANOTHER NEW INDUSTRY FOR WARREN.”

That article gives some of the history that brought the site – “situated in the extreme western end of Fourth Street” – to such an honest condition.

Photo from the Warren Evening Democrat The Truth Soap Company used the Spanish American War in an attempt to drive up sales in this Sept. 1898 advertisement.

A stock company built the factory in 1889 and was described as “large and commodious… and being built expressly for the manufacture of soap is admirably adapted for that purpose.”

Soap as a business in Warren started in 1889 under the ownership of the B.A. Lynds & Son Company.

“The firm name was however soon changed to the Truth Soap Co., and under this title the soap achieved its success,” the Evening News reported. “It was advertised as much as any of the standard soaps, and in a short time “Truth Soap” was known to all newspaper readers throughout the width and breadth of the land.”

In 1893 the business was sold to a Mr. H.A. Jamieson who “conducted the business on a small scale” before selling out to a group of men from Titusville. It was that purchase which the Evening News called the “new industry.”

They describe the factory as consisting of “a large engine room with complete outfit, a big, airy room where the ingredients are mixed and the soap manufactured, another long room where the packing and mailing are done, a shipping room and two large offices.”

They made the claim – which would seem difficult to defend – that “it may be said to be one of the, if not the most complete factories of its kind in the state.”

“The building is covered with sheet iron, rendering it well nigh fire proof although the interior of the building was slightly damaged by fire on Christmas last,” they acknowledge.

So in an effort to learn more about the new, ramped up investment, the Evening News sent a reporter to the firm’s “commodious offices” where he was welcomed by a Mr. J.L. Beardsley.

“He said that business was opening up far better than they had anticipated, and no fears were entertained but that the company would make a place for themselves,” the reporter concluded. “Since moving in they have been busy getting in order and arranging stock, but now they are about settled and in a position to fill all orders. The factory has a capacity of 100 boxes a day and we trust that before long they will be turning out that many.”

Beardsley was quoted discussing their product: “Now in regard to the composition of our soap,” said Mr. Beardsley, “it is composed largely of cocoa, and of the best of greases, in fact none but first class goods are used, our tallow we get from reliable sources and know that it is all right. We use absolutely no filter and the soap is as pure as it can be made. Neither is there any coloring used.”

“This last statement is borne out by the looks of the soap which is a pure white,” the reporter added. “The grocers are taking very kindly to the soap and are selling a great deal of it. A house to house canvass is being made when the canvasser calls, give it a trial. If the soap is equal to that made outside, and those who have used it say it is, why not use soe instead and thus help along a home industry. We need them all and the people of the city and community must keep them up.”

How they could know is unclear but the Evening News predicted an “unqualified success” for “this hustling concern.

“All they need is a fair start and in another year will undoubtedly be one more addition to Warren’s growing list of thriving industries.”

That bit of prognostication proved accurate. The firm advertised heavily in the second half of the 1890s.

“Judge for yourself whether a White Soap or a Yellow one affords the best opportunity for adulteration,” one advertisement said. “Why grind Resin into everything when you can get a cake of PURE WHITE SOAP at the same price. It will do more work and better work, and if used according to its simple directions will lighten the burden of wash day.

“BEWARE OF IMITATIONS. Insist on getting the Genuine TRUTH.”

The Warren Mail covered a business deal in the June 11, 1896 edition that appeared quite promising.

“Among the many flourishing manufacturing institutions located in Warren is one that has been attracting much attention in other parts of the country and acquired almost national reputation,” the Mail reported. “The Truth Soap Company is composed of thoroughly practical business men and the high standard and excellence of the goods manufactured is best attested to by the fact that last week, in competition with over 150 other soap manufacturers east of Des Moines, Ia., experts for the United States government accepted the bid for the Truth soap of over 10,000 boxes. The price named was next to the highest bid submitted but owing to the excellent quality of the goods as determined by all the tests, Truth had the preference.”

When the Spanish American War broke out in April 1898, the Evening Democrat picked up an item a week into the conflict: “The Truth Soap company this afternoon shipped a large box of toilet soap to Lieut. E. C. Cook for the use of Company I.”

Company I was Warren County’s national guard unit.

Just when things fell apart for the Truth Soap Company isn’t quite clear.

But things fell apart.

And quickly.

I found advertisements for the company published in March 1900.

But this item was included in the March 26, 1900 edition of the Evening Democrat: “FOR SALE – Truth Soap Company factory. Enquire at office of T.B. Westgate, Titusville Pa.”

I guess that’s that.