The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-12-16
A Harrisonburg Industry.

Passing hS The extensive Tauimry OF
Messrs. itoueh & Wallace. in Harrisumhnrr.
a few days ago, our mind instantly ran
back to our early boyhood days. when tile
tan bark bank was the playground for
gymnastic aud acrobaiic feats, such as
boys, from time immemorial. have delighted
to indulge. The mill which ground the
bark WAS run by one lazy, good natnred
horse, the iavorte of the juveniles who
gathered on the grounds on Saturdays aud
realized their greatest pleasure when per-
mitted TO drive the animal Then the
whole yard was exposed to the weatler.and
only the little stone bnilaing stood there III
which to dress the hides aud turn ont
leather. giving employment to four or five
men, in busy times Observing the extern
sve structure viii h now stands on the
ground. 43 by 1855, we concluded to take a
look at the interior, and guided by the gem
tlemanly and intelligent proprietor. Mr.. }.
+. Houck. we passed through the building
and noted lis business and The methods of
operation. Instead of the one live horse,
as the motive power. as in days of yore, a
twenty horse power steam engine drives the
machinery of the establishments and instead
Of two or three persons employed 10 do the
work, we found twenty five hands at work,
in the various departments, from feeding
the bark-mill to cutting the hair from the
hides, rolling the leather aud finishing it for
market. There are ten line watts, twelve
handling watts, with capacity for one hun
dred hides each. fifteen leach watts. and fifty
layaway watts, all connected By pipes which
carry the liquor from one tier of yats TO the
other, by the force of two steam pumps.
By the present improved processes, the
In four months time. instead OF twelve
months, as in the years gone by, under the
appliances of Il third of century ago. The
product Of the yard is 400 sizes OF leather
each week. which are mostly sold in Balti-
more and the eastern markets As fast as they
are gotten ready for shipment. About one
hundred hides are converted into harness
leather, and disposed OF in Baltimore by
contract. The hides are in the main. pro-
cured in Baltimore and Philadelphia, Of the
very best quality, and averaging about 6S
to 70 lbs. each. Two-thonsand cords of
bark are consumed annually, at cost of
$50 per cord. This bark is furnished from
the neighborhood of Harrisonburg, and in
the county. and constitutes a source OF en-
ployment to large number of hands, be-
sides those engaged in the building. and
profit TO the operatives. SOME idea of the
benefit OF this single industry to kocki g
ham county may be formed, from the fact
that its business amounts 10 about sl50,O00
annually.
In olden times the bark, after its proper
ties had been exhausted, was thrown aside
into large heaps. and given to all who
would take the trouble TO haul it away
engine. and the ashes sold to the farmers
Of the county for IL fertilizer, al a nominal
price. thus indicating the economies which
folio improved methods OF mechanism,
and the application OF more intelligence to
industrial enterprises
The supply OF bark will, In the near fu-
ture, be matter Of importance, as the sur
rounding country will not furnish enough
for the demands of the Tannery, especially
when its capacity is enlarged, as it is con-
templated 10 do. The construction of the
Narrow Guage Railroad into Highland
county, which it is hoped will soon be re-
vived, will open up source of supply,
equal to the demand for many years to
come, and institute remuneratye trade
not only in this article, but in the various
products of that rich county. with Harri-
sonburg.
In connection with the Tannery, Messrs.
Houck Il Wallace have established an ex-
tensive Boot, Shoe, Harness. Furniture and
Carpet Store, on Main street, adjoining the
Rockingham Bank, where our old friend
James H. Vanpelt, presides. We learn
that they are building up very good trade
in each Of the lines of the combined bust
ness, AS might be expected from the eXten-
sive acquaintance and strict integrity of
their principal salesman. Mr.. Vanpclt =
We have known him from our boyhood
lays. and through all the vicissitudes of
IIlUc anu place. Ht Has Uctn Tie sstlHp gp-
NAL. accommodating, worthy and trusiy
gentleman-true in all the relations of
life and faithful to every confiden :e reposed
in him.
Messrs. Houck & Wallace are gentlemen
of ample capital and extensive business ex-
perience, and are valuable acquisitions to
the business interests of fIarrisOnburg A
few more such firms will enliven things
wonderfully in the old burgli. and give a
new turn to the enterprise of the place.
We hope to see Harrisonbnrg push ahead,
not that we have any personal interest TO
subserye, but because of the affection we
bear to the scenes Of our early boyhood. and
the kindness eyer manifested By the ster-
ling people of old Rockingham in our per-
sonal undertakings. Nothing VIII contrib
ute to the advancement and growth OF the
town and county more than such industries
as Mcssrs Hnuck & Wallace are conduct
ing. and We therefore wish them the great
est success, not only because of their own
merits. but for the reason that it will add to
the wealth and prosperity of our native
county.
ParnaSSus Items,