Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-20

EASTMAN, GA, June 16.-I promised in a
former letter to give some interesting figures
in regard to the saw mill and turpentine in
dustries in Dodge county. 1 now undertake
that task in order that some idea may be formed
as to the magnitude and Importance of these
enterprises. do not claim for my figures the
utmost accuracy, but from the best informa-
tion have been able to obtain believe my
estimates are approximately exact In the
first place, will give list of the names of
parties engaged in the business and owning saw
mills. There are eighteen firms. as follows
CoIcord Bacoo. W. w. Ashourn, Palmer &
Rowland, E. Carr, Hester & Bishop, W n
Leitch Bishop & irimsley, Daniels & Griffin,
Walker Bros, Powell & Harrell, Allen Bros,
Belts & Bro Powell Il Kinchep, DeVaughan,
Duncan & Co. Anderson, Steele & Gress, and
s. Carnes. Thirteen firms are engaged in the
turpentine business. to wit: w. w. Ashburn,
Peacock. Manning & Co.. Baldwin & Co., Wood
ward & O'Berry, Bush Bros, E. R. Carr, Parker
& Dukes, Chaucey & Williams. Hunt & Wiges,
Harrell & Hartman, J NJ Woodward Edwards
arising from the two industries will aggregate
hardly less than one million dollars annually.
and will probably come nearer reaching one
and half million.
| should regard it low estimate to say the
total capital invested is not less than $500 900,
and think S500,000 would be nearer the true
valuation. Indeed one finn, Colcord & Bacon.
mas asked to be Incorporated with a capital
stock of $4,000, with the privilege of increas
ing it to 100000 l feel safe in saying that as
many one thousand or twelve hundred la
borers are employed in these saw mills and
turpentine diSCilleTieS. The shipping Is done
both by rail to inland points. and by water
to Darien, and thence to foreign and
domestic markets. Hence our lumber
of the world. Should we get the new railroad
from Savannah to Columbus, of which we
think there is scarcely the shadow of a doubt.
the business will be increased bv reason OF
greater facilities for shipping. At this particu-
lar time, however, the saw mill men are some
what Respondent, owing to the light demand
and low prices paid for lumber. OF course, it
requires heavy expense to run the mills, and
unless a man has pretty good backbone he
cannot hold up very long under the pressure,
when he fails to find a really market for his
lumber. But it is hoped that this stagnation is
only temporary. and that prices will soon be
better. Lumber is good stock, and there is no
danger in holding it. There is sure to be de-
mand for it after awhile.
While on this subject will mention incident
ally some other things of interest The saw
mill and turpentine industries have an injuri-
Gus effect upon farming by demoralizng labor.
The laborers are principally negroes. AS
Southern people well know, they don't like
constant or permanent work Therefore,
though admirably adapted by nature to work
in corn and cotton fields, the negroes will not
work on farms because it is too permanent.
They. prefer to work at mill or turpentine
still, where the wages are better, and where
they can leave anv day and easily find
similar employment elsewhere. Thus the farm
eFs have great difficulty in getting laborers
Again, this vast influx of negroes is a very
material item in politics Even now the colored
vote is almost equal to the white vote in this
county, and although we know it is mistake
on their part. yet it is impossible to convince
them that it is not to their interest to vote the
Republican ticket. And divided as matters are
in our local politics now, the negroes have a
fine opportunity to elect a representative il
they take advantage of their chance, as many
believe they will do. Thus it will be seen what
an important factor. directly or indirectly, the
saw mills and turpentine indust les are in
Dodge county affairs. in more ways than one.
But of course this is not permanent. 1t may,
and doubtless WILL continue for a good many
years yet; but eventually the trees of our vast
pine forests will all have been used for turpen-
tine purposes, and then manufactured into
lumber.
1t is feared by some that our prosperity will
then cease, but this is mistake. confidently
predict that the era of our real and permanent
prosperity will then be just begun. The lands
will become permanently settled and brought
under cultivation, for farm labor will be more
certain. and we can boast of soil and climate
well adapted to every kind of farming We
need no better proofs than can now be pointed
out in our very midst to show that agriculture
may be conducted as proftably here as any
where And, after all, agriculture is the true
basis of prosperity. J. B, JR.