The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-05-18


nearby land, and we thought that when
the logs about us gave out the mill w~uld
have to be moved. We had not been used
to the improved machinery which was
not our business to talk and criticise.
Still we could not help thinking things.
But as the mill kept running and as
the territory from which we secured logs
was broadened we began to have much
confidence In the owners and to believe
they were simply far-sighted to a more
considerable extent than were we. But
we were not prepared for IT, shock we
had given us when it was announced that
the company had bought 10000 acres of
land from ten to twenty miles away and
would build a railroad to haul the logs.
This took us off our feet, as 1t were and
again filled with doubts as to the
shrewdness of the owners. But we said
little, and only watched the work grow.
When the first train load of logs was
matter must be a success.
"St.ll there was some doubt until few
months ago when extensions carried the
train right into what we could all see
must be great paying bo~y of woodland.
There, all about the workmen for three
miles square and more we could see
Al. 1nd
to the mill and we realized more than
ever the farsightedness of the company.
It is now being brought home to us ev-
cry day. And we are all the time be-
coming more and more surprised at the
work of improvements being done at
the mill and the work the machinery is
turning out continually. With all my ex-
perience I am now waiting more sur
prises''
A Complete Plant.
The plant of the company at Riverside
is one of the most complete saw mills
in the country. 1t is of considerable d.
mansions also, and has shingle mills, bar
bed wire spool mills. lath mills and
other special equipment, all of new, mod
ern machinery and placed in the best and
most handy style. The saw mill proper
has a capacity of $4,000 feet of lumber
each day. At the barbed wire spool mills
more than 200 spools may be made each
day while the single mill has capaci-
ty of 10000 shingles and the lath mill
can turn out 5000 laths per day.
The mill is under the trained eye Of j.
o. Butler, superintendent of the plant.
After the lumber is sawed 1t Is placed in
the drying l1ilns. These kilns have a
capacity of $4,000 feet of lumber per day.
They are four in number and of extra
large dimensions. The drying is done by
the latest and most approved methods,
and are operated by means of tramways
and sidetracks with plenty of large and
| small cars.
| The company makes all of the barbed
| wire spools used by the Alabama Steel
and Wire Company at it's plant in Ensley.
| In making these spools all kinds of odds
| and ends of lumber are used. Before the
plant was in a position to turn out this
| kind of stuff a new machine had to be
made by the company. This machine Is
| one of the most modern ever seen In this
| part of the country and was invented by
| local men.
The company makes every class of fine
lumber which is wanted in any market
in the country and ships all over the
| South getting an especially large trade
| from the immediate vicinity Of Birming-
| ham. The company has a number Of
planning machines and in its sheds is able
! to store up at least sixty to seventy-five
| car loads of lumber of various kinds. The
daily capacity of these planning machines.
turning out beaded and all kinds of finish
ed lumber is 10000 feet per day.
Influence of commissary.
In no small manner does the commits
sary of the company play it's part in the
| life of the camps and the workmen who
| live in the neighborhood. The company
has very large store situated at River
side. which is operated under the manage
ment of Mr.. Wiley 1t has on hand at
| almost all times a stock amounting to
any where from $4,000 to $4,000. The
annual sales are very large, and 1t keeps
three men busy looking after the custom
| ers. Besides securing the greater part
| of the trade of the more than $50 en-
| ployes of the company, a large custom Is
secured from farmers and others residing
| in the town and in the surrounding dis
| trict.
During the past few years the COM
| pany has Npuilt a number of cottages in
and about Riverside, which are rented to
employees. These are made of the best
| lumber and after modern plans. They are
made up of rooms numbering from three
to five, with large and long porches, and
| everything essential to the comfort OF
the renters. Others residing in the town
rent these places from the company. and
| no little income is realized from them.
| The commissary plays no small part In
the yielding of income, though no out
! rageously high prices are charged for
| goods sold in the house.
| The large part this company plays In
the supplying of Birmingham with lum-
Der is shown by the requirements OF local
offices; and also by the fact that num-
Der of local dealers secure their supplies
almost entirely from the company The
| pine is the best long leaf, and makes into
| beautiful woodN when used. No better
example of the effects which may be
obtained from the use of this Riverside