The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-25
CITY OF SNOHOMISH.
Review of Its Progress During
the First Half of 1891.
THE BLAcKMAN MILL FIRE.
Many Public Improvements-Cond
Of the schools-Railroads Built
and Projected.

| pondence. For the logger and labor1ng
man times have been quiet here, despite
the amount of money being invested and
the number of public improvements going
on in the vicinity. During the past six
months several fine residences have been
built, and many buildings begun last sea-
son have been completed; but on the
whole, much less building is now going
on than at any one season for several
years past at this time of the year. Three
months ago there were many indications
that much building would be done here
this summer. Many were expecting to
procure lumber of Blackman Bros. on
reasonable terms, with which to build,
but lumber being low they were slow in
turning it out, and the Port Gardner real
estate boom caused many to wait. While
some important business houses and pub
lie buildings, bridges and other similar
Improvements are going forward, vet I'M
less building should be increased before
fall the average for 1891 will be much less
than usual.
The burning of Blackman Brothers new
mill on the 9th of June, was crushing
blow to these enterprising men For the
time being it DESTROYS all prospect for i'm
mediate growth in South Snohomish.
Aside from lessening the building improve
ments for 1891 of Snohomish, the destruc-
ton of this large establishment will but
slightly retard the growth of this place.
One effect has been to create an active
market for all the Pillchuck valley saw
mills. The Dubuque mill, Andrus Il An
derson's mill and Missimer 81 Illman's
mill will be able to fully supply Snohomish
with lumber this year. Another year
other parties will probably put up a mill in
Snohoinish, or possibly some one may
purchase and rebuild on the site of the re-
Gently destroyed Blackman's mill. but this
firm does not intend to rebuild there, or go
again into the sawmill business.
A. A. Blackman, e. Blackman and III.
Blackman constitute the well known firm
of Blackman Bros These enterpris-
ing gentlemen were born and raised in the
town of Bradley, some eight miles from
Bangor, in the state of Maine.
Both have a good business edu-
cation, are fine mechanics, and before
leaving their old home in Maine, were
practical farmers, skillful and experienced
! millmen and loggers. They came to Puget
sound in 1872. In 1873 they reached
Lowell, in Snohomish county, and began
induced to locate in the small town of
Snohomish, and commenced logging here
on an extensive scale. Before that time
the pre-eminence of this place over other
promising points in the valley was SO
slight that the business carried on by them
may justly be considered as the determine
ing factor which finally caused almost
everything in this vicinity to be concen-
trated here.
In the winter of 1856 they perfected
the invention of Blackman's famous '1og-
ging car truck" the most useful invention
ever made on Puget sound for hauling
logs or other heavy material on tramways.
Their steam engine for logging purposes
was first used in 1881. For the past seventeen
years they have employed in their logging
camps from twenty-five to seventy-five
men each year. Their first steam sawmill
began running in March, 1883. It was
burned September 10, 1889. This mill was
located one-fourth of a mile west of town.
In October, 1889, they began building a
new mill one mile south of town. This
mill began running in March, 1890, and
was burned June 8, 1891. For over ten
years they ran a general merchandise
store, the sales of which ran from $50, 600
to 100000 per annum. Following is a
summary of business done by them:
AMOUNT
100,co0,000 feet of saw logs put in the
water IN IL years. .....................$ 100000
Output of old sawmiil. .............. 100000
output OF new sawmill. -. ............. 100000
Merchandise sales from store, besides
logs and lumber. 10000
Paid as wages, besides board of men in
theIF employ. .----......-.--.......... lOOO,CO0
For nearly ten years they employed an
average of $50 men and uniformly paid the
highest wages for good men. Perhaps the
only criticism on their business man.
agement is that, constantly increasing
the volume of their business, they at times
have been heavily indebted to their en-
ployes. Before starting the first mill they
were practically out of debt. They ran be-
hind in building the old mill, but soon COM
menced making money very fast. When it
burned the mill was full of orders and run
ming TO its fullest capacity. The profits on
business thus lost to them was many
thousands of dollars. When burned out
it was serious question whether to re-
engage in the same business or not. They
were out of debt, and despite their large
losses, solvent with every one and the own
ers of much valuable property. They
would not have built another mill had
other business been active here, but many
men, dependent on them, desired work
and soliced them to go ahead. Thus they
started the new mill to furnish needed
labor and stimulate the growth of the
town and community. They made it the
largest and most perfect in its equipments
of any inland mill, and one of the most
complete establishments on the Coast. In
building and furnishing it they used all
their available means, and when it burned
they were largely indebted to their men.
Since building this mill lumber has been
low and the mill never was run 10 its full
capacity. Business was picking up and
this seasons run would have paid off all
labor bills. Directly and indirectly their
losses in the burning of these two mills
was nearly $400, $50.
Despite these losses they still control
considerable property and are taking ac-
tive measures to raise funds and pay of
all labor debts left by the burning of the
new mill, without too great sacrifice to
themselves or undue delay to the men.
With reasonably good luck all such bills
will be met and paid before the end of the
year.
Some criticisms have been made be-
cause neither mill was ever insured. The in
surance rates that could be obtained on the
old mill were so high as 10 be prohibitory.
In building the new mill every precaution
was taken 10 lessen danger from fire. and
an efficient system of fire protection was
being established that would give them
reasonable insurance rates; when the mill
would have been, on completion of this
system OF fire protection, properly insured.
Blackman Bros are now interested in