Wednesday, September 25, 2019

The Marion Tannery


The Marion Tannery one of Marion's important early enterprises was the establishment of a modern system of tanning leather.


Organized under the direction of Billy Duke Haynes, under the title, "W. D. Haynes & Company," the participating members being Edwin, Bob Bigham, and Edward Black. The company proposed to incorporate the latest improved methods of processing animal skins, from the raw to the finished product, and to manufacture all products made from leather.

Sometime in the year 1868 he Mr. Haynes bought a tract, some ten acres of land, at the southern border of town. The Marion-Princeton road then separated the property from the Old Presbyterian Church and Graveyard to the east and adjoining the property was dense forest, owned by the Robert Lycurgus Bigham estate. On the property was an ever-flowing spring of water, and a log house, two rooms, divided by open hallway, and kitchen detached. (located where Hometown Food Grocery's store is today)

In that day leather and leather products were not much sold in stores. Every community supported its own shoemaker, saddler and harness maker; sometimes all three in one person, handyman. 

With the bright prospects apparent the company proceeded to acquire basic supplies - white-oak bark, to be cured without exposure to moisture, and animal skins in great quantity. For the protection of the dried bark and working space for the horse-powered bark –grinding mill an enormous size shed was erected, and curing rooms for raw hides. 

Next thing, three pools, dimensions 10 x 10 ft. and 6 feet deep; one pool fresh water to soak dry hides in; another, a strong lime solution to loosen the hair, and a third emersion in fresh water to neutralize the lime. Skins thoroughly rubbed to remove all foreign matter, graded according to thickness, the larger ones split in halves; the grades are separately processed.

Tan vats, 30 in all, excavations 3 ½ x 6 feet deep, also lined with thick tongue and grooved lumber and water tight. Arranged in rows with working space between. Partly water-filled, a generous sprinkle of pulverized bark sufficient to support the first skin carefully spread, on which another sprinkle of bark – alternating the skin and bark until the vat is filled to capacity, there to remain for months in incubation, until the tanner, by test pronounces the leather matured.

During the period of leather incubation thee are processing rooms to erect and equip. Leather leaving the tan must at once be thoroughly treated in oils to restore pliability; rubbed to a firmness, shaved to uniform thickness, and when desired, colored. For this precise operation an expert currier is kept on duty. 

 Extending the buildings, there are shops for the tradesmen; harness maker, saddler and long rows of benches equipped for the many shoemakers always present.

The Marion Tannery rated of much importance to the community. The trade in tanbark and hides brought in much needed revenue to Crittenden County and adjoining territory, and people came from all around for quality goods. A large number of artisans of the trades had employment there.

Along in the year 1878 someone invented a system of Steam tanning. Using extract concentrates, and steams under high pressure. They cooked it. It was all so natural and simple. Leather could be matured in a matter of weeks. That was the blueprint to the cold water tanner's finish. He must change his system or retire.

Luckily for us there came a respite. The first steam-tanned leather offered the public proved inferior. It had been overheated and broke in places. For a long time people were prejudiced against the steam–tanned leather. By the time the error had been corrected and confidence restored, we had disposed of our stock and sold the property. On the 27th of August 1879, we vacated the place and left Marion.

A big mill and whiskey distillery soon occupied the tan yard site and buildings for a good many years and the ever-flowing spring was their source of water supply. (This area today is where Hometown Food's grocery store and parking lot are located.)

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