CAPITAL LUMBERING COMPANY
Salem
February 21, 1872: "Fire.---At a late hour last Thursday night, the sawmill of the Capital Lumbering Company took fire, but no damage was done, as the fire was put out by the application of a few buckets of water at the hands of the night watchman. No alarm was sounded." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)
May 25, 1888: "The Capital Lumbering company have commenced operations again on a large scale, after an enforced idleness of several weeks consequent upon building their new mill. The new mill just constructed is a very strong, substantial concern, a great improvement upon the old mill, and moves off quite smoothly, considering the newness of the machinery, etc. It is claimed now to be one of the best sawmills in the state, and capable of manufacturing a superior quality of lumber, fully equal to any which may be obtained in the Portland market. The power is furnished by two powerful engines. B. F. Drake, under the superintendence of John Holman, has made them a 16x24 engine, which is a daisy, and which, in connection with their old engine, gives them ample power to propel all their machinery. It is well worth one's while to spend an hour at the mill watching the modus operandi of making lumber from the time the logs arrive on the huge endless chain till they are converted into rustic and flooring at the other end of the mill. The sawmill is the only important manufacturing industry left in the city since the burning of the chair factory. The mill company employs about forty hands, when running at full blast, besides twenty more indirectly employed by them in logging. They expect to run continuously now til winter." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)
June 22, 1888: "Last night, about 8 o'clock, a boom of logs belonging to the Capital Lumbering company, broke ;loose from its moorings in the slough, and floated down the sluggish current, started on down the river. The drifting logs were first noticed by some persons on the steamer Occident, lying at the O. R. & N. wharf, and a messenger was dispatched to notify the sawmill men.
An attempt was made to save the logs, but with only partial success, most of the logs getting into the swift river current, and floating rapidly down.
The number of logs in the boom is estimated at several hundred, and their value may be roughly guessed at $1000.
It is not known how the boom broke loose. It is likely that the action of the water, in some way worked its fastenings loose. The boom was noticed amongst the floating logs.
LATER.---At 12 o'clock last night hard work had effected the capture of most of the logs. Only about 100 broke loose in the first place. The mill company hopes to escape with a loss of not more than several hundred dollars." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)
An attempt was made to save the logs, but with only partial success, most of the logs getting into the swift river current, and floating rapidly down.
The number of logs in the boom is estimated at several hundred, and their value may be roughly guessed at $1000.
It is not known how the boom broke loose. It is likely that the action of the water, in some way worked its fastenings loose. The boom was noticed amongst the floating logs.
LATER.---At 12 o'clock last night hard work had effected the capture of most of the logs. Only about 100 broke loose in the first place. The mill company hopes to escape with a loss of not more than several hundred dollars." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)