Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: LI-62
Corporate Name: Wilson & Jefferson
Local Name:
Owner Name: Wilson & Jefferson
Location: South of the Trinity River
County: Liberty
Years in Operation: 2 years
Start Year: 1879
End Year: 1880
Decades: 1870-1879,1880-1889
Period of Operation: 1879 to 1880
Town: South of the Trinity River
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: 40-horsepower steam engine
Horse Mule Oxen Water
Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown
Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band
Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity: 12000: 1880
Capacity Comments: 4,000,000 feet of lumber during the reporting period of the Census (capable of 12,000 board feet per day)
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Sawmill with circular and muley saws
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: Houston East & West Texas
Historicial Development: The firm of Wilson and Jefferson, according to the Northwestern Lumberman, operated a sawmill on the Houston East and West Texas Railway, south of the Trinity River, in 1880. The Manuscript Census of 1880, reporting for June 1, 1879 to May 31, 1880, detailed the business operations for the sawmill. The sawmill, d a capital value of $5,000, working twenty-two men normally. The employees received daily wages of $1.25 to $2.00 for ten hour days in summer and nine hours in winter. Jefferson & Williams paid a total wage of $8,000. From a total value of $25,000 of supplies and sawlogs, the sawmill manufactured four million feet of lumber valued at a gross value of $40,000. The mill operated fulltime during the twelve-month reporting period.
Research Date: JKG 12-14-93, MCJ 03-14-96
Prepared By: J Gerland, M Johnson