Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key:	PA-89
Corporate Name:	John L. Needham
Local Name:	Hickey Mill
Owner Name:	John L. Needham. Lafayette Smitherman. J. M. Hickey.
Location:	Where Murvaul Creek crosses Woods Post Office road
County:	Panola
Years in Operation:	3 years
Start Year:	1906
End Year:	1908
Decades:	1900-1909
Period of Operation:	1906 to 1908
Town:	About eight miles from Carthage
Company Town:	2
Peak Town Size:	Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill:	Lumber Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown Other
Power Source:	Atlas steam engine Horse Mule Oxen Water Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity:
Capacity Comments:	Unknown
Produced:	Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board Treated Other
Equipment:	Sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads:	Texas, Sabine Valley & Northwestern, became Texas & Gulf in 1905, at Carthage
Historicial Development:	Lafayette Smitherman mortgaged with J. M. Hickey for a boiler, steam engine, blacksmithing tools, and sawmill fixtures on February 1, 1907, according to Panola County records. On October 23, 1907, John L. Needham mortgaged with Smitherman for the sawmill, including the boiler, engine, edger, etc, for either $700 or $800. On November 19, 1908, Needham, for $900, remortgaged the sawmill. Needham leased the grounds and other equipment for two years, at the completion of such time he could then move the sawmill. Smitherman, according to Panola County documents, was engaged in the milling business before buying the Murvaul Creek sawmill. He may have either had his sawtimber milled on contract or he may have leased a sawmill before 1907. In August 1906, he sold lumber to Bouland & Kyle of Tenaha for $1,200. The lumber was at a mill near Panola City and 300 ties and 45,000 feet of lumber was at a second mill, one near Paxton in Shelby County.
Research Date:	MCJ 02-08-96
Prepared By:	M Johnson