TANNERS’ ASSOCIATION
Transcribed from the Florence Gazette Wednesday, 12 December 1860
Transcribed and submitted by Lee Freeman

Our readers, generally, and those who deal in Leather Merchandise, particularly, are requested to read the proceedings of the “Alabama and Tennessee River Tanners’ Association,” to be found in the Gazette, this morning. The first meeting of the Association was held at the town of Waynesboro, Tenn., on the 28[t]h of August, 1860, at which meeting the necessary preliminary arrangements were made for a more perfect, and permanent, organization of the same. The object of the founders of this Association, was to place its members in a position to guard against impositions which it seems can be, and are, practiced upon the Tanner—as a safeguard, in many respects, to the Leather-maker and consumer.

It will be seen, by the report, that the workings of the Association are already proving beneficial, notwithstanding there have been but two meetings. Butchers will be considerably interested in the intentions of this Association, for, as will be seen, one of the members, Mr. George Philler, of Memphis, is offering premiums for the hides that are taken off in the most workmanlike manner; that is, without holes, scarred places, fleshy lumps, bruised spots, and, occasionally, a few pounds of dirt clinging to the inner side, &c.

We hope this enterprise may grow in importance and interest, and that the ends aimed at by its founders may be more than realized, and that at no very distant day, its members may, in connection with their “Tanning Association,” be able to inaugurate a “Manufacturing Association,” and then they can manufacture their own stock, and thereby save a profit that has heretofore been made off of the southern [sic] consumer, by the Massachussetts manufacturers, on stock tanned by our friends and neighbors.

Their next meeting comes off on the 20th of December, at which time they would be pleased to see all those of the craft, who take an interest in their enterprise.

Second Meeting Of The Alabama and Tennessee River
Tanners Association
Waynesboro, Tennessee
25 November 1860

Transcribed from Florence Gazette Wednesday, 19 December 1860
Transcribed and submitted by Lee Freeman

PROCEEDINGS

    Of the Second Meeting of the “Alabama and Tennessee River Tanners’ Association,” held at Waynesboro, Tennessee, on the 25th of November, 1860. Waynesboro, Tenn., Nov. 25, 1860.
The “Alabama and Tennessee Tanners Association” met persuant to adjourment, at Waynesboro, Tennessee, on Tuesday, the 13th day of November, 1860; James Sparkman, President, in the Chair. The Association was called together by the President, and after the reading of the Minutes of the last meeting, the order of business, be ng [sic] the reception of Reports. Mr. Sparkman, West, Horton & Co., Horton & Hassell, and Wm. F. Turnley, submitted reports, showing gains of 20 to 30 percent, on various lots of hides, both dry and green, in four months.
Reports of this character will receive particular attention at the future meeting of this Association.
Reports also exhibit the fact that by comparing weights here, with Invoice weights, as per purchase bill, the hides bought of George Philler of Memphis, Tennessee, give more satisfactory results in weight; and condition, than those purchased by any member of the Association from other houses.
The Association are also pleased to learn that Mr. Philler is offering premiums to the butchers for the best skinned hides, which cannot fail to produce the most satisfactory results, to both hide dealer and Tanner.
The Association, also, received some interesting communications, from hide dealers in St. Louis, Mo., and several communications from steamboat agents covering the subject of freights.
A Committee will appointed at the next meeting, to confer more fully with those agents upon this subject.
A resolution, offered by Wm. West, Esq., and seconded by Wm. F. Turnley, was unanimously adopted, recommending the members of the Association to compare weights of each lot of hides when received at Warehouses’ [sic], with weights, as per Invoice of purchase bill, and to report the loss or gain, together with the order and condition of the same, and the name of the house from whom purchased, and the per cent. gained in Tanning.
The Association will hold its next meeting in Waynesboro, Tennessee, on Thursday the 20th day of December, 1860.

JAMES SPARKMAN, President.
J T Hassell, Secretary.