ECCLES SAWMILL
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Washington County - Banks
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June 29, 1916: "Shortly after noon last Saturday the Eccles sawmill, located near the town of Banks, was completely destroyed by fire, as well as a large quantity of lumber piled near the mill.
The cause of the fire is not known. It is believed the loss will aggregate nearly $100,000, partially covered by insurance. The mill was built two years ago, ran a few weeks and closed down. In March, this year, operations were resumed. The mill belonged to M. H. Eccles of Baker City, who is expected to arrive at Banks within a few days. Until he arrives, it is not known whether he will rebuild. The company had been employing about fifty men and the destruction of the property is a severe blow to the employes, as well as to the town of Banks. Mr. Eccles a few months ago lost a mill at Baker, but this has been rebuilt." (The Forest Grove Express)
The cause of the fire is not known. It is believed the loss will aggregate nearly $100,000, partially covered by insurance. The mill was built two years ago, ran a few weeks and closed down. In March, this year, operations were resumed. The mill belonged to M. H. Eccles of Baker City, who is expected to arrive at Banks within a few days. Until he arrives, it is not known whether he will rebuild. The company had been employing about fifty men and the destruction of the property is a severe blow to the employes, as well as to the town of Banks. Mr. Eccles a few months ago lost a mill at Baker, but this has been rebuilt." (The Forest Grove Express)
July 7, 1916: "No definite plans for the rebuilding of the $40,000 Eccles mill at Banks, destroyed Saturday by fire, will be made until the return of W. H. Eccles, president of the company, now in Ogden, according to the announcement by Roland S. Eccles. Only a minor part of the contracts held by the Banks mill can be handled in Baker, it is said, because of the different class of lumber available." (Mosier Bulletin)