Harris Hollow (which still exists as a farm today,

Harris Hollow (which still exists as a farm today, most recently owned by the Sharps) owned over 3,000 acres of forestland on the Blue Ridge. He entered into a long-term contract with the Cover Brothers Tannery in Browntown (just a long stone’s throw across the Ridge) in the 1870s. By the turn of the century, Miller seems to have used up his inexhaustible supply of Chestnut Oak bark on the original 3000 acres so he purchased another 3000+ acres in Warren County, including much of the western slope of Mount Marshall (the great ridge that looms in the western sky beyond Little Washington). ' Miller told the Covers that he could meet theif needs for the foreseeable future. This tale was debunked however, for wonder of all wonders, the new tract was also thoroughly debarked (of Chestnut Oaks). The Covers closed their tannery and moved to Elkton to get at the next inexhaustible supply. We could on and on, but you get the drift...

Miller then formed a forest products company that used the American Chestnuts and other species from his bark-less 6000 acres and had huge apparent success until he was killed in a logging accident in 1925. By now, however, the piper had waited long enough and came looking for payment. In sad conjunction with the disappearance of the Chestnuts from the dreaded blight, Miller’s heirs found that his huge holding of forest was depleted of everything but locust trees. There is a message somewhere in all of this, dear children.

Some nice leather is still tanned using the vegetable method, though we have not researched how the associated tanbark may or may not be available as a renewable resource. So it is still possible to get some custom work done.

You probably recall the threat your daddy used to make about tanning your hide. If carried out, you may perhaps still be sore, even today. Just remember, there is another meaning to this admonition and you don’t visit a plastic surgeon to get the treatment.