Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-09-04
Where the lumber Comes from.


Where the Lumber Comes from.
DURKEE, TRUEsDELL & cos MILL, MUSHROOM.
The question is frequently asked where does the
Lumber ell come from and well it may be, in view
of the immense quantities that are landed every
season at the different ports along this shore of the
Lake for consumption and TO meet tie demands of
the country still further west Nearly all the vessels
upon Lake Michigan, besides several propeers, are
engaged most industriously, from the opening of
navigation in the early spring, until its close late
in the fall, in the lumber carrying trade. And this
is kept up, year after year with constantly increas-
ing demand, and yet the supply continues to increase
in the same ratio, and the query is very natural,
here does it all comes from 2" We visited day
or two since, one of the principal lumber-manufac
turing localities, and we prepared TO answer that
query, to limited extent
We took passage a few days since on the schooner
Challenge, Captain AcKERMAS, for Muskegon,
Mich, point from which is shipped more lumber
we should think than from any point the
Lake. And in passing must say, there is no bet
ter sailing, more active and industrious little craft
nor one that is sailed by careful, skillful in
dustrious Captain, or more gallant on tho
Lake than this sumo Challenge She has made more
trips to and fro than any other vessel that sails to
Auskegon. We arrived at our destination in due
time, after most pleasant trip, and took a view of
one of the of this important branch of Lake
commerce. Musk gon, or rather the Muske son mills
for the term is rather broad in its significance are
situated around Muskegon Lake near the mouth Of
the River of that name, enptying into Lake Mich
gan some IL miles north of Grand Haven. The Lake
is five six miles in diameter. Here ell in
sight, sixteen extensive saw mills in active
operation, and others being built in different stages
OF progress.
Most conspicuous among these mills is that of our
fellow citizeas, Messrs. DURKEE, TRUEsDELL < Co ,
which they have lately completed and got into active
operation This establishment is fair sample of
what energy, skill and capital viii perform when
rightly directed. 1t is now just about ten months
since the site of the mill was decided upon and the
first blow struck in the then forest They have now
what is generally conceded to be- the most extensive
and most perfect lumber manufacturing establish
ment on the Lake ard by the time twelve month
has rolled around, will have cut five or six million
feet of lumber.
The mill built by Mr.. SILAs PELTos, who
has left most convincing proof of his skill as a
ill-wright, well OF his energy and industry.
The main building is 80 by - feet with a wing on
each side each 20 ~ 10 feet built in the most sub
stnntial manner. The machinery consists Of two
upright nuley sUws and four circular saws; for the
manufacture of siding and lath, cdging lunber and
cutting the slabs, all OF which are used upon the
second floor OF the mil ard conveniently arranged
for the purposes Of the different manufacturer This
Ii driven by engine OF t9 inch bore and u inch
stroke. with capacity estimated at leo horse power
The steam is supplied hy three oilers, 10 inches in
diameter, by y feet in length From 80 so coo fl
OF lumhor are turned out every 81 hours and from
80 to 10000 pieces Of ls!h daring the same time
The slabs are all cut by circular into suitable
lengths for l&th, irewood &c, fast they nc
cumulate from the different saws, thus the manufac-
turo is complete as fast as the logs pnss through the
nall. The saw dust is conducted by spouts into
hsudc0r's, which rs iast "a filed, wheeled off to
tic heLcr r"r.-, and is used for fuel This, with
tev eiabs Is al" the fuel used to drive tie whole
machinery Everything throughout the establish
mont goes with the regularity Of clock work
through tie . hours Much Of the efficiency OF the
mill is due to tie skill experience and uutirirc visi
lance Of the Engineer Mr. WILLIAM GLUE who in
his department has no superior M.ssrs D., T. 4 Co
Lave been peculiarly fortunate in procuring the bes
hands to carry onther establishment and even this
may be accounted for on other grounds than NOR
tr"d fortune II is the result Of tie system pur.
sued, of prompt payment Of good wages, and CEN.
meodRblc Gaze for the convenience and comfort of
their workmen.
Their boarding house which they have Just com
rleed is model the Kind. TIE build NJ consists
OF main part 81 by 81 feet, 4 stories with wing
"a by 81 three stories This is finished of and fur.
nlshed with all the conyeuienCes Of first class hotel
On the first floor is large sitting room for the men
wash room supplied with all the conveniences and
basement cellar, store room, SC. On the second
I'oor IS the general dining room, kitchen, pantry
al i.
are devoted to the sleeping rooms which are large,
neatly furnished and numbered. These number 80
ia the main part The building is painted white.
and set up ON the brow of tho hill makes fine CD
psRrance, commanding view of the whole lake
with lts surroundings. The principle is practically
carried out, that the workman is worthy his hire
and can appreciate the conven;ences and comforts
of lie as well rs the idlsr or the man OF leisure
Me'srs D., T. & Co. are certainly worthy Of credit
IN this respect and offer good example for all large
employers
Much of tho success of this enterprise is due to
the energy and untiring perseverance of Mr.. Trus-
dell who has given his PERSONAL attention to the whole
work since lis inception. We do not wonder that
be feels a eonmendabls pride in the final and com
plete success of the enterprise.
hessrs. Dnr&ec, Truesdell & Co, have long been
extensive lumber Dealers III city, aud are now
F'SP"iS" |" aOu ia1SetN 10 ther business. They
calculate TO do all their business usual throus I'll
thl' place Their mill will cut each season s GOO 0oC
feet OF lumber, watch they expect to ship here and
TO western markets through here. This will add
largely OF course 10 the general business of our civ
Ahey snip all their supplies, provisions produce
groceries &c. from here, and most of their Iargo
number OF W"rkmen arc taken from among our
cutLens; In tins point Of view have thought the
mn OF butkee, Iruesdell s, Co. being as il is n
model establishment in all respects, Of sufficient
general interest 10 oar readers to merit rather ex
tended description in our columns.
~ We learn that the Mass Democratic Con-
vention, which assembled at kellogg's on Sat
urday last, was hcnorea with :he presence Of a