JAMES BURCH SAWMILL
Fortune Branch
June 1, 1906: “The breaking of a boom which held 2000 railroad ties caused considerable stir at this point on Monday. The ties belonged to Jas. Burch and his son-in-law Mark Hudlow, who reside on Quines creek, and were floated down Cow creek to this point where they were to have been delivered to the railroad company. The ties were of the very best quality, hewn and not sawed, and Burch and Hudlow had labored hard all winter in making them. The recent heavy and prolonged rains raised Cow Creek considerably and the boom being too weak to withstand the force, caused the heavy loss. Ties are now found scattered all the way between Glendale and the ocean. The losers have the sympathy of all.
Later: No ties went further than to Riddle where another boom held them in check.” (The Glendale News)
Later: No ties went further than to Riddle where another boom held them in check.” (The Glendale News)
June 22, 1906: “J. W. Burch and Mark Hudlow on Monday finished their work of gathering together the many ties that were scattered for miles down the Cow creek canyon as a result of the breaking of the boom at this place some weeks ago. They have recovered all of the ties lost excepting 113 and have placed them at the railroad track ready for inspection.” (The Glendale News)
June 21, 1907: “Jas. Burch expects to establish a mill on Quines creek for sawing railroad ties. The timber is admirably suited for railroad ties.” (The Glendale News)
September 13, 1907: “Jas. Burch's machinery for the saw mill which he is installing on his property on Quine's creek has arrived. It is all new and first class and as the foundation and other preparatory work is completed it will be but a short time till the hum of the machinery will be heard. A large order for the box factory alone will keep the mill running for a long time.” (The Glendale News)
October 4, 1907: “Jas. Burch has his saw mill running and he is well satisfied with the prospects.” (The Glendale News)
October 11, 1907: “Mr. Burch's saw mill is doing business in earnest now.” (The Glendale News)
October 11, 1907: “Mr. Hudlow and family will move down to Burch's sawmill where they will have charge of the boarding house.” (The Glendale News)
November 1, 1907: “Jas. Burch has purchased J. Whisman's interest in the saw mill on Cow Creek. Mr. Burch now being sole proprietor and the partnership is dissolved. Mr. Burch expects to continue running the mill during the winter, sawing at the rate of 10,000 feet per day.” (The Glendale News)
February 7, 1908: “O. W. Condry, an employee at the Birch mill, was quite badly injured Thursday morning and was brought to the Hospital for treatment. The index finger on his hand was badly cut by a saw.” (The Glendale News)
March 20, 1908: “James Burch, who operates a sawmill on Fortune Creek, 7 miles southeast of this place, pleaded guilty in Justice Long's court at Roseburg yesterday to a charge of violating the state fish law regarding the dumping of sawdust into streams. Upon recommendation of Deputy Fish Warden J. D. Wilson, who brought the charge, the minimum fine of $50 was imposed and a 30-day stay of execution was granted.” (The Glendale News)
May 29, 1908: “Mr. Birch has completed his new house near the saw mill on Fortune Branch and will occupy it soon. Mr. Birch expects to saw yellow pine for the Glendale box factory.” (The Glendale News)
October 30, 1914: “James Burch went to Grants Pass Monday and while there sold 140,000 feet of lumber.” (The Glendale News)
January 21, 1916: “It was reported Tuesday that the roof of Jim Burch's saw mill, on Cow Creek, fell in from the weight of snow.” (The Glendale News)
July 14, 1916: “Mr. R. Barker, formerly with the Duncan Lumber Co. of Portland, has located in Glendale, having taken over the active management of the Burch Lumber Co. mill, owned by James Burch, and located eight miles from Glendale, up Cow Creek.
Mr. Barker says this is one of the best little mills in the country, having a capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 feet daily.
'We have ordered an auto truck and donkey engine,' Mr. Barker told the News reporter, 'and they will be here sometime next week. We will use the truck to haul the lumber to Glendale, from which point shipment will be made. The truck is good for four trips a day. About fifteen men will be employed and we have enough orders already on hand to keep the mill running at full capacity.'
Mr. Barker will make his headquarters in Glendale. He will make a business trip to Portland in a few days, but expects to have the sawmill running within a couple of weeks.
Later this season a small bridge will be built across Cow Creek, near the sawmill, Mr. Barker furnishing most of the labor.
There will now be five sawmills running steadily within a few miles of Glendale.” (The Glendale News)
Mr. Barker says this is one of the best little mills in the country, having a capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 feet daily.
'We have ordered an auto truck and donkey engine,' Mr. Barker told the News reporter, 'and they will be here sometime next week. We will use the truck to haul the lumber to Glendale, from which point shipment will be made. The truck is good for four trips a day. About fifteen men will be employed and we have enough orders already on hand to keep the mill running at full capacity.'
Mr. Barker will make his headquarters in Glendale. He will make a business trip to Portland in a few days, but expects to have the sawmill running within a couple of weeks.
Later this season a small bridge will be built across Cow Creek, near the sawmill, Mr. Barker furnishing most of the labor.
There will now be five sawmills running steadily within a few miles of Glendale.” (The Glendale News)
July 28, 1916: “The donkey engine, to be used at the Burch Lumber mill, arrived in Glendale Wednesday and will be moved to the mill at once.” (The Glendale News)
August 4, 1916: “The Burch Lumber Co. are installing an electric lighting system at their mill on Cow Creek. They have some rush orders and will operate day and night for awhile. Their large auto truck, which will be used to haul the lumber to Glendale for shipment, arrived here Thursday. Mr. Barker states that he will have about forty men employed.” (The Glendale News)
August 4, 1916: “R. Barker, manager of the Burch Lumber Co., returned from Portland Monday with a Ford car, which he will use in his business.” (The Glendale News)
August 11, 1916: “R. Collins and family and Guy Sears, of Portland, arrived in Glendale Sunday, with the auto truck for the Burch Lumber Co. Mr. Sears will drive the truck while Mr. Collins will superintend the loading of the lumber on the cars. The latter has rented the Presbyterian manse in which to reside.” (The Glendale News)
September 1, 1916: “R. Barker, of the Burch Lumber Co., is building a plank road from his mill to the river. Later on a bridge will be built across the stream and he expects to operate the sawmill all winter.” (The Glendale News)
September 22, 1916: “Frank and Clarence Albro report the Burch mill closed and they came home Tuesday.” (The Glendale News)
September 22, 1916: “R. Barker, manager for the Burch Lumber Company, left for Portland Monday night, accompanied by Mrs. Barker. Through poor management the Burch Lumber Co.---said company being Mr. Burch and his son---has gone to the wall leaving about $2000 in debts in Glendale at the various business houses, and for hired help at the mill. The workmen, some twenty-five in number, had Attorney Wimberly of Roseburg, come here Wednesday, when they attached all lumber in the company's name, and the sawmill and equipment also. It is probable that this action will result in bankruptcy proceedings.” (The Glendale News)
October 6, 1916: “The Burch Lumber Co. went into voluntary bankruptcy last Saturday, the move being brought on by the many liens filed against the company's holdings.” (The Glendale News)