Page 125 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

12.5
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
NOYES &LANGHOLZ—Manufacturers of Saddles and Harness, Whole-
sale and Retail Dealers in Saddlery Hardware, etc. ; No. 266
Commerce Street.
The horse has been used by man at a period far beyond tradition, and
horse furniture has a history fully as ancient. Though the more civilized
nations who have left us any records, seem to have first used this animal
in harness ; there are also indications that he was used for riding very
early. In the oldest Egyptian paintings
the horse is seen harnessed to the war
chariot. In the paintings in the palace of
Nimroud, which are supposed to be coeval
with the siege of Troy, 1500 B. C., horses
are exhibited, both in harness and under
the saddle. Harness and all horse furni-
ture, was of course, put together in a
crude, rough manner, at even as late a
date as the discovery of this country, com-
pared to that manufactured in this pro-
gressive age ; in fact, it has been brought
to such perfection in this country as to
approximate nigh unto the fine arts. To
do justice to a sketch, it is necessary to
mention the leading points and merits of
any business, in its influence and bearing on other branches ; but when
we attempt to write in relation to the importance of the harness and sad-
dlery trade, and articles associated therewith, we find it so closely and
vitally identified with all industrial operations in this section, that it be-
comes necessary to devote to its more prominent operators more than a
passing notice. We therefore direct special attention to the establishment
of Messrs. Noyes & Langholz, which is located at No. 266 Commerce
street, the main business thoroughfare of the city ; the most extensive
and complete harness and saddlery establishment, not only in this city,
but in the State. The manufacture of saddles has reached a higher degree
of perfection in this section than in any other part of this country, re-
quiring finer work, the exertion of more skill and more exact symmetry;
as nearly as much stress is placed upon the caparison of the horse as upon
the animal himself. As manufacturers of fine saddles, bridles and har-
ness, Noyes & Langholz, have attained an enviable reputation, by reason
of the uniform reliability, superior workmanship, elegant finish and sub-
stantial character of the various articles turned out by them. Their place
of business is commodious and convenient ; 25 by 120 feet in size, 3 stories
being utilized, including a finished cellar. Their stock embraces every-
thing in the line of fine and heavy saddles, single and double harness,
bridles, collars, whips, pads, interfering boots, curry combs, sponges,
brushes, blankets, fly-nets, chamois, lap-robes, circingles ; in short, every