May 20, 1863, Galveston Weekly News
The San Antonio Herald says the Government has undertaken to establish a Tannery, and cotton and wool Factory in that city on a tract of 75 acres purchased of the city and some two miles above the city. These public works are under the Superintendence of Maj. T. A. Washington Quartermaster. The building for the Tannery is already in a state of forwardness, and is 90 feet by 275, and the vats are sufficient to contain 5000 hides at a time. The cost of leather to the Government made in this Tannery is estimated at 50 cents per pound which is a saving of 500 per cent on present prices. The cotton and woolen Factory is being built of stone and to be worked with water power.