The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-26

When he was but 10. Thomas B.
Walker of Minneapolis became trav-
cling salesman for grindstone manu-
facturer of Berea, Ohio. He came west
with g. consignment of grindstones, and
In st. Paul found q young dock La.
borer who helped him sort and label
them. The young laborer Of that early
day Is now president of the Grea
Northern railroad, and his name Is g
household word almost in the length
and breadth of the land.
Minnesota was in need OF young mer
OF the right sort, and Mr.. Walker soor
recognized the fact that this state
promised larger things than did the
grindstones Of the buckeye state. He
spent a year with a government sur
veylng party in the Minnesota pine
woods. At the end Of that time he had
marked out q course Of business in
vestments. He began putting his means
as he could spare into pine timber
and thus laid the foundation for his
great fortune.
To-day no man owns 80 much Min
nesota pine timber as Mr.. Walker. His
faith in white pine stumpage has new
err faltered. His plans for this line
OF investment were made at a time
when his capital was almost an I'M
known quantity. but he made his re-
sources count Few men knew the
wealth Of Minnesota pine in that early
time, but Mr.. Walker. with the keen
foresight and rare judgment that have
uniformly characterized his business
career. saw the possibilities OF the
country and its resources, and was
quick to seize upon the opportunity.
The promise Of wealth from these re-
sources, as tho country should develop
uncertain to his mental vision
Native OF the Buckeye State.
Mr.. alkar was born at xenia, Ohio.
in 1910. His father was ono Of the
"forty-niners" whose graves mark the
prairie trail toward tho California gold
fields. Thomas and three other chill
dren were left with the widowed moth
er in reduced circumstances. He man
aged, however, to secure a good edu-
cation for that day by attending one
term each year at Baldwin university
at Berea, Ohio. and by working the
rest of tho year to pay his expenses.
He developed a remarkable proficiency
in mathematics, a talent that came
near putting him for life into the ranks
of school teachers.
His first partners In tho pine land
Mills. the firm being Butler, Mills &
Walker. Later he went into partner
ship with Major Camp, as Camp &
Walker. This company purchased a
Minneapolis sawmill and operated 1t
for some years. It also built mills at
Crookston, Grand Forks and other
points. In more recent years Mr..
Walker has built q mill at Akeley
MINI.
But with all this lumber manufac-
ture-a business large enough in It,
self to rate Mr.. Walker high as q
lumberman-Mr. Walker was not pri-
martly lumber manufacturer. His
first purpose was the buying Of pine
timber, and his best thought and the
best OF his fortune was turned that
way. He bought with other buyers
and he bought for himself, not in one
section alone, but wherever his good
cruisers and his good Judgment point.
ed out good bargains.
Model Lumber Town.
The town Of Akeley, started by the
mill, has 1,400 or more inhabitants
and Is unique in some respects among
the villages of the state. The mill own.
ers were also owners of all the land ir
that vicinity for miles around, and
they stipulated in the deed Of every
piece Of land sold that it should at nc
time be used as a site for g. dispensary
of Intoxicating liquors. In consequence
they have town where, without laws
to that eff ct. not a drop Of liquor 1.
sold. The result is that no town Of
city organization has been necessary
and there Is not more orderly OF
contented community to be found II
the state.
The mill Of the Red River Lumbe,
company Is thoroly modern. It II
equipped with two double cuttins
bands, a band resaw and the neces
sary accompanying machinery. Thu
planning mill Is one Of the best, If no
the best of it's size in the northwest
Since the mill was first started /