The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-19
SUPPLY THE RAILROADS
WITH TIES AND LUMBER
3. johnson q Son Direct Big Enter
prise From Observation-Disclosures
First Saw Mil Here.

Though the business of 3. Johnson
e Son was established in Richmond
in 1858 the majority of the people in
the city are not aware of the fact
that the firm is one of the largest con-
tractors for railroad ties, lumber ana
piling in the United States, and that
it supplies the Pennsylvania and 9TH
er large railroad systems with cross
ties and lumber.
This lack of knowledge relative to
the business of the concern is due
largely to the fact that outside OF the
Office business none of the companys
work is done here, and hence the peo-
pie of Richmond have no active in
terest in the affairs of the company.
The supply of railroad cross ties is
an important question TO a big rail
road system. The timber for ties
must be selected by men who are tim
Der experts, as only certain kinds of
Perhaps no man in the country has
q better knowledge of the timber
used by railroads, than Mr. Johnson.
He established the first circular saw
mill in this part of the country in
1858, and Immediately began to sup
ply timber for the G.. H. & d.,
branch Of which at that time came TO
Richmond, and the Indiana Central
road which is now the Pennsylvania
line to Indianapolis.
Mr.. Johnson gained his experience
in the early days of railroading when
wood was used to fire the railroad en-
gines. During those days Mr.. Johnson
furnished part of what is now
known as the Pennsylvania railroad
system, with wood for the engines.
He was an expert timber buyer, and
in the conduct of his business he met
with such success that he gradually
branches out into supplying the road
with timber for cross ties, and for
other purposes. AS the railroad sys-
tenn grew, Mr.. Johnson's business en-
larged, and at present he conducts
perhaps the largest business of it's
kind in this part of the country.
In 1890 Mr.. J. III. Johnson, a son.
became partner in the business.
Prior to that time he had been a clerk
in the Second National Bank, having
had eight years experience in bank
ink. The business of buying timber
and manufacturing ties had grown to
such an extent that it, was necessary
to conduct it on much larger basis.
The firm inaugurated the policy of
acquiring timber lands in various tim
Der producing states, and at present
IT controls and operates large tracts
of timber in West Virginia, Kentucky.
Ohio and other states. Over 10000
acres of timlnr land has been acquir-
ed this year alone. Valuable timber
lands have just been procured in Mis-
souri,, and these aAe now being open
ed up
From 100000 ito 100000 ties
are handled by the firm each year,
and this number is constantly increas
ing. White oak ties are used by the
Pennsylvania railroad company and
b. Johnson & Son furnish practically
all of the ties for Pennsylvania lines
west of Pittsburg.
A large car stock order is now be-
ing filled for the Chicago & Eastern
Illinois railroad, and the Rock Island
system has just placed a large order
for ties which are to be chemically
treated
In addition to handling ties, the
firm deals in lumber for car stock
and other purposes in railroad use
1t Is estimated that in this line about
100000 feet of lumber is handled
each year. Over 100000 feet will be
delivered to the Rock, Island road
next year
In getting the timber out sub-con-
tracts are let at the various camps,
and many hundreds of men are given
employment annually. The firm has
two general purchasing agents, John
W. Thompson and Harry f. Fornshell
whose homes are in Richmond. be-
sides having salaried representatives
at many points. The general offices
are located in The Starr building, 933
Main street, and the general direction
of the business is carried on here