Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-08-28
THE JOURNAL.

New PORK HoUsE.-The new pork house
of w. & A. Chambers is nearly completed.
When finished, it will be one Of the largest
and best arranged packing houses in the
West. It is to be three stories in highth, and
100 feet in length by 4s in width. The
building is ofbrick, and will be covered with
cement roof, thus rendering it entirely fire
proof. The killing and cleaning are to be
done in the third story, a covered archway
leading from the street to this story, through
which the hogs will be driven. The quitting
tank, and scalding tub, are on this floor. The
hogs will be hung on cross ties, one end rest
ing on a projection in the brick wall, the
other on heavy pests. The hanging arrange.
ments will be most perfect. By the aid d
simple machinery, now being made for the
Messrs. Chambers, in Chicago, a boy ten years
old can handle and deliver to any portion Of
the room the heaviest hogs. This alone will
save the wages of at least fifteen men. The
lard tanks, which rest on the second floor,
are extended up to this floor. These are the
latest improvements, Alberger's steam tanks.
The steam is brought from the steam saw
mill, adjoining. These tanks are connected
with q vat which receives all the refuse mat;
ter of the establishment. There. are also
sluice ways leading from the scalding tub,
and cutting tanks into this vat. BY these
arrangements, which carry off all the refuse
matter, the unpleasant odors which some.
times make packing houses nuisances, will
be avoided entirely. In fact, cleanliness seems
to be the uppermost idea in the minds of the
proprietors and builders of this establish.
ment. l.. ...5, s...s..
The second floor will be devoted to render
ing lard and finishing the hogs as they are
received from above. One great advantage to
be derived from the location Of this establish.
ment is the readiness and case with which
the casks and barrels may be shipped. From
the back door they may be rolled into the
cars, and from the front door on to steam.
boat.
The first floor contains the brine.t tubs. II
is intended, also, to pack pork on this floor
during the summer. This will be accom-
pished as follows: The room, which is partly
underground, is divided lengthwise into three
compartments. The central part will be filed
with ice, and ON either side Of this apartment
are ranged the brine tubs. The hogs as they
are killed are passed Immediately below,
where the temperature by the aid Of the ice,
is kept low. Here the hams and shoulders
will be saited and taken immediately to
the curing house. By this means the
Messrs. Chambers. expect to be able to
pack as many hogs in the summer as ii. the
winter, thus keeping on hand at all times a
supply Of freshly cured hams. This system
Of packing during the summer is pursued in
the East with great success.
Muscatine has for the past few years stead
lily increased in the number of hogs packed
within her limits. Last year she crowded
Keokuk, the 'porkopolis" of Iowa, hard
With the new establishment of Messrs.
Chambers added to those already in opera
ton, we think we can safely claim that honor
for our city next year.
Drovers and hog-raisers should not forget
that in addition to this mammoth establish.
ment, there are two other large slaughtering
houses at this Places. o. Buffers and Le-
land & Co.'s-besides several packing houses.
With so much competition and such unlimi.
ted facilities for slaughtering and packing our
market must be the best in the State.
EDITOR MUscATINE JoURNAL--Dedr STR
By letter from my wife learn that the citi-
zens of Muscatine city and county have been
very kind to her in her misfortune in my alb
sence. Sir, 1 have not the language to con.
vey the obligation they have placed me under.
If I should never be able to repay them
pecuniarily, my prayer shall be that He who
rules the world and dispenses all good may
increase their worldly stores ten fold in this
life. and in the life to come eternal happiness;
and that may ever prove myself worthy Of
them and yourself, and keep US steadfast in
the faith of truth and justice.
Yours, with respect, G. W. W1LKERsoS.
Foe THE CoLoRED REGIMENT Lieut.. NJ
V. B. Gehon has opened recruiting office in
this city for the colored regiment to rendezvous
at Keokuk. He is authorized to recruit in the
counties of Muscatine, Louisa and Cedar.
Lieut.. Gehon has the highest recommends
tons from those who know him. We hope
he will be given all needful encouragement in
his good work. There are quite number Of
able. bodied colored men in his district, many
of whom, we hope, will improve this oppor-
tunity to serve in regiment from their
State. ~rr,,o 4
Lieut.. Gehon may be found at Eiehelbsf.
gers Hotel l LTtL
FROM THE 35rH.-We are in receipt ola let
ter from the s5th Iowa, dated Markham g
J Plantation, Miss, August 9th, from which
the following is an extract: F
"Col. Wood, of the 18th Iowa, is in com
mand of the division, and Col. Hill is in
command of our brigade. Lieut.. Col. Roth
rock and DR.. Chambers, of our regiment,
have resigned. Lieut.. Charley Porter has
been very sick, but is now much better, being
able to walk around camp.
Maj. VIM. Penn Clark, of Iowa City, has
been paying the troops for several days past.
He commenced paying the 18th this morn
ing, and when he had paid the men and line
officers the money ran out, and the field and
staff have to wait until he returns to Vicks-
burg, when he will send up tho pay of the
regimental officers by some one whom Col.
Hill will send with him for that purpose"
HARD ON FEu1r.--The unusually dry wealth.
er of the past season has multiplied the