ARMSTRONG LUMBER COMPANY
Douglas County - Armstrong Mill
May 13, 1912: “A. M. Armstrong, formerly engaged in the contracting business at Oakland but of late of Spokane, Wash., today purchased 600 acres of timber land situated near Riddle, together with a first class sawmill. Mr. Armstrong will operate the mill assisted by a couple of easterners who are interested in the business. Having enjoyed much experience in the lumber business, it is almost certain that Mr. Armstrong will make good.” (The News-Review)
May 13, 1912: "An important business transaction occurred at Riddle last week. When P. M. Littler sold his sawmill plant and the 606-acre timber tract on which it is situated, three miles south of Riddle, for $15,000. The buyers are A. M. Armstrong, a former nurseryman of Oakland, this county, and two Pennsylvania associates. J. B. Eberhart, of Punxsutawney, and George H. Miller, of Warren.
The buyers were represented in the deal by Mr. Armstrong in person, who will take charge of the sawmill in about a month and direct its operations. He arrived here from Riddle this afternoon on his way to Spokane, Wash., to move his family from that city to Riddle. The trio of buyers will incorporate under the name of the Armstrong Lumber Company.
Besides the sawmill plant and the land the transfer includes five houses on the place for the use of mill employees for living purposes. The mill has a capacity of 10,000 feet a day. This, Mr. Armstrong states, will be increased at least three-fold when business conditions shape themselves favorably for improvements.
Mr. Eberhart and Mr. Miller are wealthy merchants of their home cities. The former is at the head of a big department store in Punxsutawney and is jointly interested with Mr. Miller in the ownership of shoe stores at Warren and Ridgway, Pa., and at Salamanca, N. Y. Mr. Armstrong was a successful sawmill operator in Pennsylvania before coming to Oregon." (Roseburg Review)
The buyers were represented in the deal by Mr. Armstrong in person, who will take charge of the sawmill in about a month and direct its operations. He arrived here from Riddle this afternoon on his way to Spokane, Wash., to move his family from that city to Riddle. The trio of buyers will incorporate under the name of the Armstrong Lumber Company.
Besides the sawmill plant and the land the transfer includes five houses on the place for the use of mill employees for living purposes. The mill has a capacity of 10,000 feet a day. This, Mr. Armstrong states, will be increased at least three-fold when business conditions shape themselves favorably for improvements.
Mr. Eberhart and Mr. Miller are wealthy merchants of their home cities. The former is at the head of a big department store in Punxsutawney and is jointly interested with Mr. Miller in the ownership of shoe stores at Warren and Ridgway, Pa., and at Salamanca, N. Y. Mr. Armstrong was a successful sawmill operator in Pennsylvania before coming to Oregon." (Roseburg Review)
February 27, 1913: “The Armstrong Lumber company is hauling ties to town for shipment. Mr. Armstrong now has about a dozen men employed about his mill and in the woods. They have shipped their hardwood to Roseburg and sold the same at satisfactory prices. The wood was cut from land which it was desired to clear and at the same time a large number of saw logs were obtained from the same ground.” (Riddle Tribune)
March 6, 1913: “A carload of ties from the Armstrong sawmill was shipped out this week.” (Riddle Tribune)
March 13, 1913: “The mill is closed down for repairs for a few days, as a result of the piston rod of the engine breaking and knocking out the cylinder head last Tuesday. D. W. Harper the engineer, was probably saved from serious burns by the prompt action of one of the men in shutting off the steam, as Mr. Harper happened to be behind boiler at the time and was unable to get out on account of the escaping steam barring the way. A. M. Armstrong the manager has gone to Portland to secure another engine.” (Riddle Tribune)
March 20, 1913: “Work is in progress at the sawmill where the men are taking out the old engine in preparation for the new 60-horsepower engine which is on the way from Portland.” (Riddle Tribune)
March 27, 1913: “The 60 horse power Russell engine which A. M. Armstrong purchased in Portland has arrived and is being installed at the mill. All hands are at work so that by Monday the mill will be running in fine shape.” (Riddle Tribune)
March 27, 1913: “The new Russell engine for the Armstrong Lumber company arrived Monday and was taken to the mill. The cylinder is 11 x 13 and the speed 250. While the boiler capacity at the plant is a little light for the engine, the new power will be far the best that has ever been installed in a local mill, and as demands increase, more power can be put in. The mill will be in operation again this week.” (Riddle Tribune)
April 17, 1913: “The mill is closed down at present and a new saw is being installed. Since putting in the new engine the plant has been running at full capacity, Mr. Armstrong having received the contract to furnish lumber for three new residences.” (Riddle Tribune)
May 8, 1913: “The mill closed down Saturday for repairs. A new cement foundation is being placed under the engine.” (Riddle Tribune)
May 15, 1913: “Stanley Royster has severed his connection with the mill, finding his time fully occupied with his ranch.” (Riddle Tribune)
May 29, 1913: “Bill Lousignant while logging Tuesday was injured, a log rolling on him and crushing his foot and bruising him up quite severely. He was removed to his home with a team by Paul Armstrong.” (Riddle Tribune)