CHAMBERS LUMBER COMPANY
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Lane County - Cottage Grove
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January 28, 1910: "The saw mill belonging to A. L. Woodard, located at Latham, was leased yesterday to J. H. Chambers. Invoicing the entire plant and lumber in the yards was started, and as soon as completed Mr. Chambers will assume the management. He is a practical sawmill man, with years of experience. The plant is one mile south of here, on the west bank of the Coast Fork river. The logs are cut and flumed down this to the docks, leading from the main line to the Southern Pacific railroad. This is one of the most unique little mills in the country." (The Eugene Guard)
July 21, 1910: "The Leader today says:
One of the largest timber deals consummated in this section of Oregon for some time past was that of last week, when A. L. Woodward transferred to J. H. Chambers of this city 20,000,000 feet of fir timber, located five miles south of town, the sawmill at Latham with a capacity of 40,000 per day, and thirty-three acres of mill site land, the consideration being approximately $50,000.
Mr. Chambers will commence logging operations at once, and carry on the work on an extensive scale. The persons controlling the water right on the Coast Fork river have entered into an agreement not to interfere with sluicing while the timber is being conveyed to the mill. Mr. Woodard has recently constructed a dam on the river and has a new logging road into the timber, making it possible to conveniently and economically handle the logs. The mill has been idle during the past few months on account of constructing the dam and logging road, but will resume within a few days and run to its fullest capacity. Mr. Chambers has large timber holdings in the immediate neighborhood of his newly acquired timber, and eventually this will also be sawed at this mill.
The land occupied by the mill is valuable not only for the purpose for which it is being used, but as power site and the terminus of a prospective railroad up the Coast Fork river, which, in all probability, will be constructed within a comparatively short time. Such a road would open an extensive timber area, and provide a rail outlet for several industries already established in the Calapooya section, among them being the Black Butte quicksilver mines and the London mineral springs.
Mr. Woodard still has something over 30,000,000 feet of standing timber south of Cottage Grove, for a portion of which a deal is now pending. Besides this holding, he has extensive interests in Klamath county," (Morning Register)
One of the largest timber deals consummated in this section of Oregon for some time past was that of last week, when A. L. Woodward transferred to J. H. Chambers of this city 20,000,000 feet of fir timber, located five miles south of town, the sawmill at Latham with a capacity of 40,000 per day, and thirty-three acres of mill site land, the consideration being approximately $50,000.
Mr. Chambers will commence logging operations at once, and carry on the work on an extensive scale. The persons controlling the water right on the Coast Fork river have entered into an agreement not to interfere with sluicing while the timber is being conveyed to the mill. Mr. Woodard has recently constructed a dam on the river and has a new logging road into the timber, making it possible to conveniently and economically handle the logs. The mill has been idle during the past few months on account of constructing the dam and logging road, but will resume within a few days and run to its fullest capacity. Mr. Chambers has large timber holdings in the immediate neighborhood of his newly acquired timber, and eventually this will also be sawed at this mill.
The land occupied by the mill is valuable not only for the purpose for which it is being used, but as power site and the terminus of a prospective railroad up the Coast Fork river, which, in all probability, will be constructed within a comparatively short time. Such a road would open an extensive timber area, and provide a rail outlet for several industries already established in the Calapooya section, among them being the Black Butte quicksilver mines and the London mineral springs.
Mr. Woodard still has something over 30,000,000 feet of standing timber south of Cottage Grove, for a portion of which a deal is now pending. Besides this holding, he has extensive interests in Klamath county," (Morning Register)
May 29, 1911: "The planer at the J. H. Chambers sawmill, one mile south of this city, was destroyed by fire this afternoon, the blaze starting at 1:30 o'clock. Aside from the planer 200,000 feet of kiln dried lumber was destroyed, and the total loss is $5,000. The big sawmill was saved by the combined efforts of the mill employes and the citizens of Cottage Grove who formed a bucket brigade. It is understood there was no insurance on the planer.
The fire was caused by a hot box in the planing mill machinery." (The Eugene Guard)
The fire was caused by a hot box in the planing mill machinery." (The Eugene Guard)
June 11, 1911: "The mill of the J. H. Chambers Lumber company, at Latham, a mile or more south of this place, was completely destroyed by fire at 5 o'clock this evening, together with what lumber there was left near the mill by the fire which then destroyed the planer sheds two weeks ago. The loss is $15,000 with no insurance.
The fire is supposed to have originated in an explosion in the dust blower system, and the flames spread rapidly through the mill. Help was phoned for from Cottage Grove, and a large number of people responded, but the fight against the fire was of little effect. The mill was entirely burned, leaving only some lumber that was beyond the strip burned over when the planer was destroyed.
An unknown young man was it in the head by a bucket as he was passing water for the fire fighters, and rendered unconscious for a time.
Just this week judgment for $5,215 was entered against this mill as damages in a personal injuries case." (Morning Register)
The fire is supposed to have originated in an explosion in the dust blower system, and the flames spread rapidly through the mill. Help was phoned for from Cottage Grove, and a large number of people responded, but the fight against the fire was of little effect. The mill was entirely burned, leaving only some lumber that was beyond the strip burned over when the planer was destroyed.
An unknown young man was it in the head by a bucket as he was passing water for the fire fighters, and rendered unconscious for a time.
Just this week judgment for $5,215 was entered against this mill as damages in a personal injuries case." (Morning Register)
June 13, 1911: "A hoodoo has settled on the sawmill plant of J. H. Chambers, located one mile south of this city. The second fire within a fortnight broke out Saturday evening and totally destroyed the mill, but the larger portion of the lumber yard was saved, owing to a large force of men going from town and doing effective work. The crew had quit work for the day, and the night watchman had not come on when the fire started, and the mill was ablaze before any one knew it.
The fire two weeks ago destroyed the planer and a portion of the yard, but favorable wind and hard fighting by a bucket brigade prevented the flames from spreading. The planer had been repaired and is being lined up ready for work again in the near future, and was saved from the ravages of the second fire. It is understood that Chambers will rebuild the sawmill in the near future. The loss is estimated at near $10,000." (The Eugene Guard)
The fire two weeks ago destroyed the planer and a portion of the yard, but favorable wind and hard fighting by a bucket brigade prevented the flames from spreading. The planer had been repaired and is being lined up ready for work again in the near future, and was saved from the ravages of the second fire. It is understood that Chambers will rebuild the sawmill in the near future. The loss is estimated at near $10,000." (The Eugene Guard)
June 24, 1911: "J. H. Chambers, whose sawmill was destroyed by fire a fortnight ago, is having plans for a new structure to replace the old one prepared, and will probably commence rebuilding during the ensuing week. The mill will be of considerably larger capacity than the plant destroyed. Mr. Chambers has large timber holdings directly tributary to the mill, and the two camps were at work at the time of the fire have not ceased work. These logs have been placed in the river awaiting completion of the proposed new mill." (Roseburg Review)
January 4, 1912: "An interesting suit was instituted in the circuit court today when William H. Handy, a young man residing in the southern part of the county began action against J. H. Chambers, who owns and operates a sawmill near Cottage Grove, for $50,000 damages, on account of an injury received by the plaintiff while he was employed in the mill.
The plaintiff alleges that he was hired by the defendant to work as off-bearer from an edger in the mill, at $2.25 a day and that he was compelled to stand between the edger and a set of 'live rolls,' which was a very dangerous position, although he alleges, he was not warned of any danger by the defendant. His duty was, he says in his complaint, to place lumber upon the rolls and that on October 5, 1911, as he was in the performance of his duties, his clothing caught in the gear of the edger and he drawn against the gear, receiving permanent injuries to his private parts which will forever disfigure him and will cause him mental worry and anguish during the remainder of his life.
These injuries, the plaintiff alleges, were due to negligence of the defendant in not providing a safe place for the plaintiff to work.
J. C. Johnson of Cottage Grove, and Malarkey & Seabrook of Portland, are attorneys for the plaintiff in the case." (The Eugene Guard)
The plaintiff alleges that he was hired by the defendant to work as off-bearer from an edger in the mill, at $2.25 a day and that he was compelled to stand between the edger and a set of 'live rolls,' which was a very dangerous position, although he alleges, he was not warned of any danger by the defendant. His duty was, he says in his complaint, to place lumber upon the rolls and that on October 5, 1911, as he was in the performance of his duties, his clothing caught in the gear of the edger and he drawn against the gear, receiving permanent injuries to his private parts which will forever disfigure him and will cause him mental worry and anguish during the remainder of his life.
These injuries, the plaintiff alleges, were due to negligence of the defendant in not providing a safe place for the plaintiff to work.
J. C. Johnson of Cottage Grove, and Malarkey & Seabrook of Portland, are attorneys for the plaintiff in the case." (The Eugene Guard)
January 14, 1912: "A personal injury suit for $50,000 has been started against J. H. Chambers of this city by William H. Handy, who was injured in the mill on October 4, 1911. Mr. Handy claims his injuries are permanent and that he will never be able to again do a man's work." (The Oregon Daily Journal)
March 6, 1912: "A jury was completed late this afternoon in the case of William H. Handy vs. J. H. Chambers, in which the plaintiff seeks to recover from the defendant the sum of $50,000 damages for alleged injuries received while working in the sawmill owned by the defendant near Cottage Grove. It will be remembered that Handy, when he filed his complaint in the circuit court, claimed that he sustained very peculiar injuries while working with a machine in the defendant's mill and as a result he claims that he will be permanently disfigured and will suffer mental agony all through life." (The Eugene Guard)
March 15, 1912: "The jury in the case of William H. Handy vs. J. H. Chambers gave a verdict this afternoon for the plaintiff of $2250. Suit was brought for $50,000 on account of peculiar injuries sustained in the defendant's sawmill near Cottage Grove. Owing to the nature of the injuries, the case attracted much attention. The trail lasted three days." (Roseburg Review)
May 22, 1915: "Upon application of the trustee of the Donahue-DuBois Lumber company, bankrupt, C. A. Wintermeier, referee, made an order yesterday giving permission to sell the machinery of the company for not less than $300. J. H. Chambers of Cottage Grove, has offered that sum for the machinery and it is probable that it will be sold to him. The mill is located at Star." (Morning Register)
August 2, 1915: "Walter Woodard lost four fingers of the left hand in an accident at the J. H. Chambers mill. He was working at the resaw and in shoving a board in, his hand was caught by the rollers. James lemon, who was working near by, stopped the machine and lifted the roller to allow Mr. Woodard to extricate his hand. All four fingers were amputated at the second knuckle. The thumb was not injured." (The Oregon Daily Journal)
January 27, 1916: "Logs are again coming in over the O. P. & E. railway from the forest reserve and the J. H. Chambers and Brown mills of this city will resume operations within a day or so." (The Oregon Daily Journal)
February 23, 1916: "That there has been an improvement in lumber conditions here will be indicated to the employes of the J. H. Chambers mill in their next pay envelope when they will be paid at the rate of $2.00 a day instead of $1,75, as heretofore. This rise is effective from February 15." (The Oregon Daily Journal)
February 26, 1916: "Announcement has been made that wages at the J. H. Chambers sawmill in Cottage Grove have been raised 35 cents a day." (Falls City News)
July 20, 1916: "Rumors that have been afloat here for some time that a railroad from this vicinity to tracts of timber in the Lorane valley is contemplated, have been verified. J. H. Chambers, owner of the timber, and of the J. H. Chambers mill here, is the one who will put the proposition through. O. L. Nichols, of this city, has been engaged for several weeks in running surveys to pick out the most practical route.
It seems certain that the least expensive route will be to connect with the Southern Pacific either at Comstock or Leona, although this point has not been decided. Mr. Chambers would rather bring the timber in here where his other interests are centered, but that may require the construction of two miles of railway that would not be necessary in striking the Southern Pacific further south.
Several prominent citizens of the city have interviewed Mr. Chambers with the object in mid of getting the railroad started from here. Such a railroad would bring into Cottage Grove a large part of the business of the Lorane valley, in addition to the money that would be paid for labor in lumber camp and mills in case a second mill was established by Mr. Chambers." (Morning Register)
It seems certain that the least expensive route will be to connect with the Southern Pacific either at Comstock or Leona, although this point has not been decided. Mr. Chambers would rather bring the timber in here where his other interests are centered, but that may require the construction of two miles of railway that would not be necessary in striking the Southern Pacific further south.
Several prominent citizens of the city have interviewed Mr. Chambers with the object in mid of getting the railroad started from here. Such a railroad would bring into Cottage Grove a large part of the business of the Lorane valley, in addition to the money that would be paid for labor in lumber camp and mills in case a second mill was established by Mr. Chambers." (Morning Register)
October 18. 1917: “Fire, which ignited under suspicious circumstances, tonight practically destroyed the sawmill of J. H. Chambers, located about a mile from Cottage Grove.
At a late hour the fire was confined to the mill and planer shed. The damage to the plant probably will total between $75,000 and $100,000 and if the lumber and kiln drier is destroyed it will be much greater.
Fire in the mill was discovered at almost the same minute as flames were found in the Brown Lumber Company's plant, which burned on August 27. The mills be rebuilt soon, it is announced.” (The Harrisburg Bulletin)
At a late hour the fire was confined to the mill and planer shed. The damage to the plant probably will total between $75,000 and $100,000 and if the lumber and kiln drier is destroyed it will be much greater.
Fire in the mill was discovered at almost the same minute as flames were found in the Brown Lumber Company's plant, which burned on August 27. The mills be rebuilt soon, it is announced.” (The Harrisburg Bulletin)
November 1, 1917: “J. H. Chambers, whose sawmill was destroyed by fire at Cottage Grove, will resume operations within a few days at his Wildwood plant, which has been idle for several years. All the machinery is in the mill and it is thought operations can be resumed before the end of next week.” (The Glendale News)
August 23, 1918: “Work is progressing rapidly on the J. H. Chambers mill at Cottage Grove, a crew of about 20 men putting the timbers in place as rapidly as they are delivered.” (Silver Lake Leader)
March 22, 1920: "Emmett King, who was struck on the neck at the base of the brain with a 2 x 4 in the J. H. Chambers sawmill Friday, is getting all right again." (The Eugene Guard)
May 24, 1923: “Robert Clay England, an employee of the Chambers Mill at Latham, Oregon, and well known in this vicinity, was almost instantly killed Saturday at ten o'clock in the morning. He was putting a large belt on a pulley at the Chambers mill when his clothing was caught and his body dragged into the wheel.
Mr. England was buried in Cottage Grove. Pall bearers were all employes at Chambers Mill.” (The Drain Enterprise)
Mr. England was buried in Cottage Grove. Pall bearers were all employes at Chambers Mill.” (The Drain Enterprise)
November 29, 1923: “The J. H. Chambers mill, timber, and the Oregon Pacific Railway, also the property of Mr. Chambers, have been sold to a group of capitalists, among whom are B. H. Johnson and H. N. and S. M. Anderson of Aberdeen, Wash., and W.H. Abel of Montesano, Wash. The new owners, it is reported, will greatly enlarge the capacity of the mill which is the largest in the Cottage Grove district. It is understood that a million dollars was paid for the property.
The buyers also contemplate the purchase of the property of the Western Lumber & Export Company. This is the company that went into the hands of a receiver recently.” (The Drain Enterprise)
The buyers also contemplate the purchase of the property of the Western Lumber & Export Company. This is the company that went into the hands of a receiver recently.” (The Drain Enterprise)
August 7, 1942: "State police and FBI agents searched today for an incendiary, believed to have set a fire which last night virtually destroyed the big J. H. Chambers & Son sawmill here and two other blazes in this area within the past two weeks.
Chief of State Police Charles Pray said he thought a pyromaniac was on the loose.
He classed the three fires as a single case on which every man of the state police investigation department was working. FBI agents went into action immediately.
Chambers estimated the fire damage at his mill at $300,000. It was one of the three largest mills in Lane county with a daily capacity of 150,000 board feet. The fire swept the mill, dry kiln, planing mill and 5,000,000 feet of lumber, he said.
Previously the $75,000 home of Walter Woodward, Cottage Grove lumberman, was burned. A few days later his mill had a $40,000 fire.
Police Chief Myron Perry of Cottage Grove also reported evidence pointing to arson in the Chambers mill blaze. He said gasoline or kerosene had been used to spread the flames which broke out under the green chain. Hoses of the mills fire fighting system had been cut.
Perry said also that Chambers had received a letter July 25, the day Woodward's residence was destroyed, warning that his (Chambers') home would be burned. The officer said the letter had been turned over to the FBI.
Flames from the Chambers mill jumped across the Pacific highway for a time, causing motor traffic to be detoured. Box cars on a mill siding were damaged. Oil tanks a block away were threatened." (Herald and News)
Chief of State Police Charles Pray said he thought a pyromaniac was on the loose.
He classed the three fires as a single case on which every man of the state police investigation department was working. FBI agents went into action immediately.
Chambers estimated the fire damage at his mill at $300,000. It was one of the three largest mills in Lane county with a daily capacity of 150,000 board feet. The fire swept the mill, dry kiln, planing mill and 5,000,000 feet of lumber, he said.
Previously the $75,000 home of Walter Woodward, Cottage Grove lumberman, was burned. A few days later his mill had a $40,000 fire.
Police Chief Myron Perry of Cottage Grove also reported evidence pointing to arson in the Chambers mill blaze. He said gasoline or kerosene had been used to spread the flames which broke out under the green chain. Hoses of the mills fire fighting system had been cut.
Perry said also that Chambers had received a letter July 25, the day Woodward's residence was destroyed, warning that his (Chambers') home would be burned. The officer said the letter had been turned over to the FBI.
Flames from the Chambers mill jumped across the Pacific highway for a time, causing motor traffic to be detoured. Box cars on a mill siding were damaged. Oil tanks a block away were threatened." (Herald and News)