Take a look back at Franklin County’s history through news and photos that appeared in local newspapers 25, 50, and 100 years ago on September 28th.
25 Years Ago
September 28, 1994 – Wednesday
“Mercersburg tanner on the brInk – in days, nobody may be left”
Mercersburg – The shoe leather plant here is a step away from closing.
Today, a skeleton crew mans Mercersburg Tanning Co. as former workers tread to Cumberland Valley Job Center.
The local tannery is just one of many in the crumbling Feuer Leather empire that soon may go up for sale.
The Mercersburg plant employed 25 people last week down from 130 in July, when Feuer filed for bankruptcy.
“It could be down to virtually nobody by the end of the week,” said L. Michael Ross, executive director of Franklin County Area Development Corp. “Our expectations are that the plant will not be producing anything as early as the end of this week.”
Since about 1900, the tannery has been the smokestack on Mercersburg’s skyline: Jobs. Water demands. Pollution problems.
People who once complained about its smell and soot, are sorry that friends have lost jobs.
“It’s a black day for Mercersburg,” said Robert Brindle, president of Mercersburg borough council. “That place takes a certain kind of people. Where are they going to work?”
“The irony is they (the tannery) had a pretty strong backlog of orders,” Ross said. “The bankruptcy court has restricted them from being able to purchase more raw material.”
Irwin and Myron Feuer, the leather company’s owners, are battling for control of their company in court. U.S. Bankruptcy Court in White Plains, N.Y., is prepared to let chief executive officer Morley M. Mathewson do what he will with the company.
Unless the brothers and their lawyers show otherwise Thursday before Judge John J. Connelly, Mathewson may close and sell plants at will, and may handle all company funds without their interference. The Feuers hired Mathewson earlier this year to rescue the family’s financially troubled business.
50 Years Ago
September 28, 1969 – Sunday
“SET DATESTONE”
The datestone was set in the new chapel being built on the campus of Scotland School for Veterans Children during ceremonies Sunday afternoon. Chaplain Faust Hissong, left, of Scotland School, and the Rev. Hubert J. McGuire, pastor of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, set the datestone.
100 Years Ago
September 28, 1919 – Sunday
“EX-SOLDlER, GETS RAILWAY MAIL JOB”
CHAMBERSBURG – George A. Bell JR., son of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bell who has recently returned after serving nearly fifteen months with the A. E. F in France and Germany, has been appointed a railway mail clerk.
Mr. Bell, who is a negro, had taken the examination for a railway mail clerk while yet a student in the Chambersburg High School.
He received his appointment in July 1918, at the time he was serving with the A. E. F. After being honorably discharged from the service in July 1919 he was re-Instated and received his second appointment on Saturday, September 27.
He will leave shortly to take up his new duties with the government.
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