We know from census listings that George Mauk was a Blacksmith, by trade. This was an integral service to provide in any community in the 19th century. Wagon parts, horse shoes, farming and household tools, kitchen knives and scissors, are among the many items created by, and periodically maintained by the community Blacksmith. George Mauk provided this service for the small community of Slick Rock, about seven miles to the east of Glasgow, presumably from his settlement in the area c. 1850, until his departure to Kansas c. 1868.

Below is a bill for services submitted to the estate of the late Callum Holman Slayton (see Deweese Families ). The bill for services reveals many of the day to day tasks performed by the community Blacksmith, and the list of tasks can easily infer the importance of this tradesman in any community. What we found somewhat amusing upon reading this is that this is an unpaid bill for services covering several years.

This comes to us from the collection of:
Lois Cordova.