Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-11-24
THE VERMONT PHOENIX, ]
PROSPEROUS JAMAICA
numbering Operations Give Town
an Industrial Boom
Jamaica Lumber Co.'s Large Expenditures
B. S. Gallup Co. Has Big Contracts
Lumbermen Comnlaln Of EreInht Rates

Jamaica Lumber Co.'s Large Expenditures
B. S. Gallup CO. Has Big Contracts
Lumbermen Complain Of Freight Rates
A marked improvement in Industrial
conditions has come to many towns in
Vermont through the great increase with
In few years in the price OF lumber and
the resultant enlarged operations, both in
cutting timber and in preparing the finish
ed lumber for market. Jamaica has en-
tered upon a new era of prosperity
through the business of the lumbermen
and at the present time not less than 1875
men are employed in the town at good
steady wages, through the work which
energetic numbering firms are carrying on
The Jamaica Lumber company, which
was organized only year ago last July
has made rapid progress. The members
OF the concern are w. G. and ]. j. Shields
OF Bombay, N. Y, and G. H. and E. J.
Hollenbeck OF Covington, N. Y. The first
purchase Of the company in Jamaica in
cluded the old tannery property from Mr.
Alexander, a timber lot Of 600 acres on
West hill from Daniel Sherwin, and three
other small lots aggregating about ESQ
acres. The company has bought several
hard wood lots this fall and has contracts
pending for other purchases. The COM
pany In addition to its operations here is
buying extensively in other places, and
with its large capital is in the mar
ket ready to negotiate for the pur-
chase of wood land anywhere at any time
The company has made extensive i'm
provements on the mill here, so that 1t
has a large capacity for turning out
finished lumber. A lath machine has
been added recently and plans are under
consideration for the establishment of a
flooring mill.
The company has recently made a trade
with q Il ~ in 10 H,1
is putting in the equipment at the tannery
property for the manufacture of whip
butts, shovel handles and other articles
He will employ several hands and the
Jamaica Lumber company will have 10 to
IL men at work in the mill all through
next year. W. F. Cutting, who is working
In connection with the company, has a
mill established "a miles from the viii
lage, where he Is getting out lumber, and
ten men are at work in Pixies Falls neigh
borhood preparing the material for him.
About 80 men are work on the COM
pany's job on West hill. Most OF the en-
ployes came from New York state, as IT
is difficult to get here sufficient number
OF men adapted to the work. The
Jamaica Lumber company's output this
year will exceed 1000. 900 feet.
The headquarters of the b. S. Gallup
Lumber company, which owns mills and
large tracts OF lands in Winhall were
established here several months ago. Mr..
Gallup has an Office near the railroad
station. His men have opened up a new
tract on Orcutt meadows at Pixies Falls.
This is known as the Shippee job and
employment is given there to so or more
men. About 5000, 900 feet OF lumber will
be taken out there this season, all OF
which will be shipped via the Jamaica
station.
The office of the Jamaica Lumber COM
Ho l., 10 - n
Piper. who has charge of the books and
finances Of the concern and draws up its
contracts.
Operations have been and still are Sc
riously handicapped by the lack of suffi-
cient freight cars for the prompt ship
ment Of lumber, but an improvement in
this respect is hoped for by the lumber
| concerns and is promised by the railroad
company by the time winter sets in.
petition has been signed by all OF the
lumber manufacturers who ship over the
West River railroad asking for a hearing
before the state board of railroad COM
missioners in hope of securing a reduction
in freight rates The signers include a
large number of concerns all the way
from Peru to Williamsville At the pres
ent time it costs $50 TO ship a carload OF
| chair stock from Jamaica to Gardner
Mass.
Property values have increased In
Jamaica during the past year, and at the
present time there is not a vacant tene-
ment in the village. Some families who
have come here lately have been obliged
! to store their goods and TO board.
NJ f. Wheeler of Rutland is now the
| largest real estate owner in the town. He
has bought the past year some 1000 tC
| 5000 acres of land-"wild" land containing
a large amount of small and scrub growth
He intends to hold the land for an in
vestment, believing that he will eventually
realize handsomely on the return from
| lumber. His purchases include the Eos
kett property on South hill, the Sage anC
Wilder farms in West Jamaica, and sever
al smaller tracts.