Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-12-15
TuE LAKE TylON sAWMJLL.
An Enterprise with q Prosperous
Future Before Ie.

TuE LAKE UNION sAWMJLL
An Enterprise with a Prosperous
FutuFe Before It.
In 1881 number of gentlemen con-
ceived the idea of building steam saw
mill on tire shores Of Lake Union, and
a corporation was formed for that pur-
poss, known - the
xAxs Cx1oy aAwKrLL 90.
Thsir operations we're quite slow ct arst,
- the ineofpofstos wsrs ali nsn, pfin-
cipnlly mechanics, Of small means, who
could not rush things ahead - rapidly
- though they had unlimited means at
their command. However, like prscsi-
cal common sense men, they did the
best they could under the circumstances.
A site was secured on the southern end
Of the lake, which Ia nearest Seattle,
one and half miles from the Occiden-
tai Hotel, and work was commenced
and prosecuted as rapidly as possible.
till about two mouths ago, when the mill
commenced cutting lumber.
THE MILL
At present is 45xl10 feet in size, and two
stories high, with an engine and boiler
room alongside. Z7x75 feet. The foun-
dation has been laid, and the timbers
arc being framed to extend the main
building 81 feet, which will make it
45x165.
The mill now runs ten hands per day,
and cuts an average of 12.CcJ feet of
merchantable lumber. At present the
following machinery is in operation:
One 56-inch circular, one planer. one
sticksr, and a small circular. During
the present season the company will add
a scantling machine, lath machine, band
saw, and a mortioe and Tenant ma
chine. and in the Spring an edger will
b added.
TWENTY-FIVE MEN
Are employed in and about the mill, in
Guiding tho carpenters there at WORK. s.
4. Clough has been chosen manager Of
the mill, and has general supervision
over its affairs. Oliver p. Ander-
son is the accountant and bookkeepsr,
and holds forth in a neat little office,
22x30, ten or fifteen miles east of the
mill, and George Cole is head sawyer.
Mr.. ClOugh informs a Posr-INrELLI-
oEScER reporter that the mill had more
work that it could really do, and in Or
der to increase its capacity large cylin-
der is being made for the engine now In
use, which will almost double its power.
There are number of orders ahead,
..,ra tfuf Cor hnnouu IN, k,x hrvtlt =
the lake.
The Lake Union company have their
own teams, and are prepared to deliver
lumber anywhere in or about Seattle.
Considerable lumber that is needed by
settlers around the lake, is rated at tho
mill and tOwed to its destination.
The following are some of the reasons
given by the company why the Lake
Union sawmill, with proper manage
ment, is bound TO be money making
enterprise. A stakeholder, IN speaking
on this point, said: 'In the first place
We have demand for all the lumber
We can out, at the same prices received
by Seattle mills. We have our work
done we'll, and as cheaply az it can be
done OH the Sound. We get first-class
logs delivered in our booms at the mill
for five dollars per thousand feet, which
Is considerably loss than other mills are
paying. Our logs lie in fresh water and
are not invaded by the teredO or dam
aged by stains. We are put to no ex-
psnse in preserving the piling and
foundation on which our mill stands.
Instead Of being put to an expense in
getting rid of our slabs We saw them up
and sell them for fire wood, the con-
tractor, Mr.. Walter Graham, paying Is
cents per cord therefor, and hauling
them away, besides. This item alone
brings the mill revenue of from six to
eight dollars per day, instead of being a
nuisance and expense"
do you think there will be much
building about the lake next season.
said reporter to Manager Clough.
I'VE have every reason to believe
there will be great number Of houses
put up in this portion of town during
the coming spring and summer. In
TACT large orders for buildings have
commenced coming in already, and |
will be disappointed il more houses are
not built in this section next season
than those of all previous years put to-
gether," answered the good natured
manager.
From the present outlook Mr.. Clough's
judgment will prove correct, as o great
maiy who have recently secured lots in
that section are clearing them off and
getting ready to build residences there
on.
what large new building is that p"
asked the reporter, pointing to two
story frame structure, two-tbirds fin-
ished, about one block east of the mill.
THAT" replied Mr.. Clough, els q
HOTEL BUILDING,
"3Ox6l feet in size, two stories high, be-
ing built by Mr.. 1. Palmer, the owner.
II will have bar-room and billiard
hall connected with it, and will be- run
BY MIR. Parker. formerly Of the Parker
House. in North Seattle. Here the mill
hands and others will board. 1t is ex-
pected 70 be completed by Christmas.
Two blocks east of the mill was an
other large two-story frame building,
nearing completion. In reply to a
question concerning il, Mr.. Clough said:
That building Is at tho foot of Lake
street, and is being built by Rev. j. +.
Ellis, to be used as a grocery store and
butcher shop. The property on which
1t stands Is very choice piece, and was
recently purchased BY that gentleman.
The main building. / think, is 2Ox4O.
two stories high, and the L on one side
u for butcher shop"
In every direction new BUILDINGS we're
to DO seen, some Of small pretensions
and others Of quite respectable dimen-
sions. Tho sawmill will, doubtless,
49,