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Democratic Watchman June 14 1895, page 2
One of Nature's Richest Store Houses
"The burning or manufacturing of lime in Bellefonte, during the past thirty years, has been one of the most steady industries to give men employment, that has been established in our midst.
Our fellow townsman, William Shortlidge, was the first to develop this industry in a commercial way. His attention to the superior quality of this limestone was attracted thereto by reading Rodger's Geological Survey, which is known as the first geological survey of Pennsylvania. At the re quest of Mr. Shortlidge, Dr. Evan Pugh, president of the Pennsylvania State College, also analyzed samples of stone from these quarries and pronounced them of the highest quality of carbonate of Lime. Mr. Shortlidge having obtained some knowledge of burning lime, during his boyhood days in Chester county, this State, was induced to purchase a site from McCoy and Linn on the turn-pike, leading to Milesburg, where he commenced operations in 1862. At that time, the sales of lime were confined to a local demand and thirty five bushels of lime per day stocked the market. During the year 1864 an improved patent lime kiln was built, which produced about one hundred and fifty bushels per day (150) of the best quality of wood burnt lime. The first order of any importance was received from Hazel Wilson, the then venerable chief engineer of the Pennsylvania railroad. The lime ordered was shipped to Pittsburg and was used in the building of the Union depot, which was burned twelve years later by the rioters. Mr. J. H. Windrim, late director of Public Works in Philadelphia and now an eminent architect, was the architect in charge.
Mr. Windrim pronounced the quality of the lime of the highest standard, which was confirmed by Mr. Wilson and which led to a large consumption by the Pennsylvania railroad company, so long as they constructed their own buildings on the main line and branches, including the buildings of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad.
This attracted the attention of other builders, as well as the manufacturers who use lime, and its reputation became so strong against all other limes manufactured in Central Pennsylvania, that Mr. Morris, who was conducting a large business at Tyrone was compelled to come here and purchase the plant established by Mr. Shortlidge to aid him in maintaining a reputation in the lime business. In the meantime Messrs. J. R. & C. T. Alexander had established a plant on the old Simson property, which they purchased, known as the "Sunnyside" lime-kilns on the opposite side of Spring creek from where Mr. Shortlidge established the first commercial plant. The M Alexander operated the plant successfully until 1885, the late Hon. C. T. Alexander's health failed then and they leased the plant to Messrs McCalment & Co., who are now operating it. , Mr. William Shortlidge and Mr. Robert McCalmont, being the business managers. Five years later, Mr. C. T. Alexander having died, McCalmont & Co. purchased the interest belonging to his estate ; J. R. Alexander still retaining interest in the real estate, from whom Messrs. McCalmont & Co. lease and operate the plant.
This celebrated lime is now being manufactured and shipped throughout the middle states, to some of the eastern States, as well as to some of the western and southern States, mostly for manufacturing purposes. It merits the highest reputation for building purposes, chemical works, for purifying illuminating gas for use in paper mills, tanner's uses, for manufacturing wood pulp and makes an elegant hydrate of lime, for use in wire mills, as well as the best white wash that can be produced.
The lime manufactured at these two plants averages from twelve to fourteen hundred bushels per day, as against 55 bushels per day when Mr. Shortlidge first established the business; and furnishes work for a large number men, nearly the whole year around. One advantage to this community is, that nearly all the cost of producing lime is labor, for which the manufacturers pay in cash. From the time the business started to this time, the business men and others of our community have received the benefit, as well as those employed."
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