The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-05-01
FARMS OF CARROLL.
UNION MILLS.
The Residence of the Late William
and Andrew K. Shriver.
Farming, Tanning, Milling and Canning

and Andrew K. Shriver.
Farming, Tanning, Milling and Canning
Union MILLs There is nothing classic
or euphonious in this; it sounds like a
matter-of-fact name, and such it is; and
vet, after many years, it is still favorably
known to the residents of Western Mary
land. 1t is situated on Big Pipe Greek,
on the Baltimore and Reisterstown Turn
pike, midway between Westminster, Md,
and Littlestown, Pa. Big Pipe Greek is a
singular name for stream like this. Ira
dition says that on the flats on the north
side of the stream it is supposed the Indian
tribes, such as the Susquehannocks, Della
wares, and others, met in friendly council
or held pow-wow to smoke the calumet
or pipe of peace, hence the name of the
stream. To bear out the assumption, on
these flats to-day can be found arrow heads
and hatchcts, formed in the most artistic
manner and of a black flint, Of which stone
there is none in the immediate vicinity, or
within marry miles. 1t is, therefore, evil
dent that these flats were used for camping
grounds, and the arrow heads, whether
from careiessness or from imperfect manu-
fac;ure. were left distributed over the
ground. A sample of these arrow heads
can be seen at the ADVOCATE Office.
Here, about the year 1897, Andrew and
David Shriver located They came from
a settlement in Adams county, Pa, known
as Conewago, their parents having settled
there about the year 1856. Here, on
tract of land of about 200 acres, ID the
midst of the then almost wilderness, they
had built for themselves an unpretentious
log and weatherboarded dwelling house,
also three-story brick -four and grist mill
4Ox46 feet, with a saw mill attached.
This, accomplished by their united efforts,
received the name of Union Mills.
About the year 1906 the turnpike from
Baltimore to Pittsburg was being located,
and through the influence of the Messrs
Shriver was made to pass in close proximity
to their mills. After few years, David
as civil engineer, was called upon to help
locate the great national road from Cum
berland, Nd, to Wheeling, Va, on the
Ohio river, where he finally settled. The
departure of David for the West dissolved
the partnership, and Andrew continued the
milling business, to which he added tan
nery. and also store for the sale Of general
merchandise, all of which he conducted
with the assistance of his SONS, William in
the milling business, and Andrew K. at the
tannery. These different enterprises, man.
aged with intelligence and industry, re-
suited in financial success. The farm, al
this time. was rented and cultivated on
shares. but in such crude and careless
manner as scarcely to supply a sufficient
quantity of wheat for their own consump,
ton. One hundred bushels of wheat fol
his share was regarded as large crop, from
five to eight bushels being about the yield
per acre. Rye, at this time, seemed best
adapted to soil and climate.
In 1917 Andrew Shriver died, in the
S4th year of his age, his wife having pre-.
ceded him some eight years. 1t is related
of him that, whilst citizen of Frederick
county. and before the Union Mills was
a part of Carroll county, he welded large
influence for the good of his community
Being distant about 30 miles from Fred,
erick city, the county seat of Frederick
county, many or indeed most of the bust,
ness transactions, as well as the foibles and
contentious of new settlement, were
brought before him, as magistrate. His
court was held with dignity, courtesy and
equity which would do honor to any tribu-
nal of Justice. His decisions were received
by the community as faultless, and pre-
vented the expenditure Of much money IN
continued lawsuits. In the division OF his
property, after his death, the Union Mills
were inherited by William and Andrew h
Shriver, and subsequently division was
made by them. The lands and property
on the west side of the turnpike, with the
dwelling erected on it by William Shrivel
in 1928, and the mill property on the east
of the turnpike, was allotted to William
To Andrew X. the tannery, the land ano
original mansion house on the east side Of
the turnpike. This old mansion has, dur
ing the many years that have elapsed, beer
altered. Its original shape was an oblons
square, fronting the north, to which has
been added wing to the south and one tt
the east. Without pretending to any arch
itectural beauty, it presents, as surrounded
with beautiful trees, weeping willows, diff
ferent varieties of maple, locust and al
abundance of shrubbery, and nestled JUS
at the foot of the hill, most home-lik'
and comfortable dwelling, suggestive O
contentment and refinement. This prop
erty is now occupied by Mr.. III. Writ Shri
yer (son of Andrew K. Shriver) and hi
interesting family. A. X. Shriver died IL
1884, in the SIND year of his age.
A description of the tannery is not ou
of place here. In 1859 the firm of A. K
Shriver and sons was formed. The sons
with the energy of youth and progressive
spirit of enterprise, determined to inaugu
rate new method of tanning leather
For this purpose the old log house, which
was used for finishing leather only, was
RACED to the ground, the vats, which were
sunk in what was called the yard. without any
protection from the changes of the weather,
were all repaired, and many new ones added
The erection Of building to cover and
protect the whole was accomplished IN
about one year. The tannery was now to
be conducted by steam. The old mode OF
grinding bark by horse power was slow
and tiresome process, and was abolished.
A large fue boiler, some twenty feet in
length, and a smokestack about eighty feet
high, were erected This was to accom-
plish the work of many hands. The bark,
after being ground and the strength ex-
tracted. was to be utilized for fuel. A
perfect system of circulation at the bottom
of all the watts was arranged; and now 1t
only remained to start the hides in the lime
pool, then the softening and after certain
manipulations on the beams they were
ready to receive their first dose Of tannin.
This is done by attaching number of
hides to frame working on an axle, and
which can be agitated in the watts by hand
and with but little labor The liquor or
tannin in this vat is kept at a certain
strength and heat After time they are
moved to the next vat, with different
strength and heat, and remain certain
time watched closely. They are then laid
AWAY in vats. in LAYERS. covered with new