The cooperage industry was alive and well in the Ozarks all the way through
WWII.  Shipping in wooden barrels conserved steel and aluminum for the war
effort.  Oil, meat, beer, chemicals, nails and other items were shipped in
White Oak barrels and kegs.  The Oak was so important that the War Manpower
Commission ordered the lumber industry to 48 hour week in March of 1943.
Even German prisoners from Ft. Chaffee were involved in the lumber
industry.  The book "For The Trees" shows over a dozen photos of the
operations of the Chickasaw Wood Products Company of Memphis who had a camp
on the Ozark National Forest.  In the early 1950s, one could still purchase
nails by the keg.

Smoke.


Smoke (Michael A.) Pfeiffer, RPA
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
605 West Main Street
Russellville, Arkansas 72801
(479) 968-2354  Ext. 233
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]

It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.