A FEW EARLY INDUSTRIES OF MT. PLEASANT

By L. P. Nelson, 1927

On account of the natural thrift of the nationalities which settled in Mt. Pleasant, they were in a position to proceed with industrial activities. They were people who were more or less accustomed to labor, people who knew how to work, people who were not ashamed to work; they were naturally thrifty and industrious.

An industry of importance was that of leather tanning. An establishment for this purpose was put up and run by Jim Porter. John Wallis was employed as a currier, preparing the hides for the vats.

Soon after this, the people saw fit to build a larger tannery. A stock company was organized and certificates of stock were issued and a very up-to-date tannery was built. This tannery was operated and run by Emanuel Christensen. Black Balsom and Red Pine Bark was then to be had in abundance in the mouth of our canyons just above the city, and this was used exclusively for tanning purposes. It was ground up and put into large vats, where the hides were placed while in course of preparation. From the finished leathers, a number of shoemakers were busily engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and soon a company shoe shop was established.

Perry McArthur owned the first horse threshing machine. This was where the horses kept on walking about and never got anywhere, and was a stationary machine where wheat was hauled for the threshing. A little later on a threshing machine of superior quality, owned by the late Charles Washington Averett, was brought to the city from Springville. This machine was also run by horse-power.

(excerpts from History of Mt. Pleasant, by Hilda Madsen Longdorf)