FOREST LUMBER COMPANY
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Klamath County - Pine Ridge
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Continued from: Modoc Pine Company
July 4, 1925: "The Forest Lumber company of Louisiana, has purchased more than 500,000,000 feet of Oregon timber on the Klamath division of the Southern Pacific railway, it was made known here today.
The sale was announced by L. B. Menefee, former owner of the property.
The deal was understood to represent a transaction of about $1,000,000.
A new mill will be constructed at Chiloquin by the Louisiana capital to replace the Menefee mill, which was recently burned." (The Klamath News)
The sale was announced by L. B. Menefee, former owner of the property.
The deal was understood to represent a transaction of about $1,000,000.
A new mill will be constructed at Chiloquin by the Louisiana capital to replace the Menefee mill, which was recently burned." (The Klamath News)
August 12, 1925: "The frame work for a double band mill will be built at the Forest Lumber Company plant at Aspgrove was the announcement made Monday in Klamath Falls by E.T. Horn, general superintendent of the company.
According to Horn only one side of the mill will be equipped this season.
A nine-foot band saw mill be installed this season, with a daily rated capacity of about 65,000 feet. Until advices are received from Portland, Mr. Horn said he did not know whether the Allis Chalmers or Filer Stowell companies were lucky bidders, but did know that the choice of equipment lay between the two firms.
Work on the framework of the mill will begin immediately. A large force of men has been employed for about two weeks in cleaning up the debris left by the fire which destroyed the mill when it was the property of the Modoc Pine company.
Construction of the mill is expected to take about three and one-half months and immediately it is completed the company will begin sawing.
Two shifts will be employed and the mill will be operating all winter.
About 100 men will be employed in the construction of the mill and this work will begin immediately materials are received, about the latter part of the week." (The Evening Herald)
According to Horn only one side of the mill will be equipped this season.
A nine-foot band saw mill be installed this season, with a daily rated capacity of about 65,000 feet. Until advices are received from Portland, Mr. Horn said he did not know whether the Allis Chalmers or Filer Stowell companies were lucky bidders, but did know that the choice of equipment lay between the two firms.
Work on the framework of the mill will begin immediately. A large force of men has been employed for about two weeks in cleaning up the debris left by the fire which destroyed the mill when it was the property of the Modoc Pine company.
Construction of the mill is expected to take about three and one-half months and immediately it is completed the company will begin sawing.
Two shifts will be employed and the mill will be operating all winter.
About 100 men will be employed in the construction of the mill and this work will begin immediately materials are received, about the latter part of the week." (The Evening Herald)
August 26, 1925: "B. W. Smith, who was down from Pineridge yesterday states that Frank Horan is erecting a 150 room hotel at Pine ridge, also that the Forest Lumber company is breaking ground for their new mill. Mr. Horan is having the road from Chiloquin to Pineridge improved so as to make transportation much easier between the two places. Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Smith are proprietors of the Pineridge hotel." (The Klamath News)
September 4, 1925: “The Forest Lumber Company, of Oakdale, La., who recently purchased the mill and timber holdings of the Modoc Pine Company announces that the first unit of their million dollar mill will be ready for operation by the first of November.
This mill is the only western unit of the company which has extensive holdings thru-out the south. Mr. F.T. Horn, one of the best known mill men of the south, will be general superintendent of operations and Mr. C.A. Larsen, formerly with Modoc Pine Company and equally well known in lumber circles on the coast will have charge of the offices and business end of the firm.
Work is progressing rapidly on the first unit of the new mill which will be completely rebuilt following the fire of May 4th which obliterated the old mill and equipment. Seven carloads of timber for about 75 men will be engaged to build the mill. The dry kilns which have a capacity of 70,000 every eight hours and the planing mill were not destroyed.
The concrete piers are already poured and timber men and mill wrights are at work now. Ted Marx, one of the F.W. Horstkotte men who built Longview, will have charge of construction work.
The mill completed will have a daily capacity of 140,000 feet every shift and two shifts will be run. The first unit with only one side running will employ about 125 men in the mill and the same in the woods.
The timber holdings of the company include about 500,000,000 feet of California white pine which is part of the tribal timber and the section is known as the Calimus Marsh unit. It is located about twenty miles northeast of here and will be tapped by logging roads. The annual capacity of the mill with one side running two shifts is about 70,000,000 feet. Most of the timber milled is for eastern consumption.” (The Chiloquin Review)
This mill is the only western unit of the company which has extensive holdings thru-out the south. Mr. F.T. Horn, one of the best known mill men of the south, will be general superintendent of operations and Mr. C.A. Larsen, formerly with Modoc Pine Company and equally well known in lumber circles on the coast will have charge of the offices and business end of the firm.
Work is progressing rapidly on the first unit of the new mill which will be completely rebuilt following the fire of May 4th which obliterated the old mill and equipment. Seven carloads of timber for about 75 men will be engaged to build the mill. The dry kilns which have a capacity of 70,000 every eight hours and the planing mill were not destroyed.
The concrete piers are already poured and timber men and mill wrights are at work now. Ted Marx, one of the F.W. Horstkotte men who built Longview, will have charge of construction work.
The mill completed will have a daily capacity of 140,000 feet every shift and two shifts will be run. The first unit with only one side running will employ about 125 men in the mill and the same in the woods.
The timber holdings of the company include about 500,000,000 feet of California white pine which is part of the tribal timber and the section is known as the Calimus Marsh unit. It is located about twenty miles northeast of here and will be tapped by logging roads. The annual capacity of the mill with one side running two shifts is about 70,000,000 feet. Most of the timber milled is for eastern consumption.” (The Chiloquin Review)
September 18, 1925: “Mr. and Mrs. P. T. Burgess and Mr. and Mrs. John Godfrey, of Clarx, La., spent several days visiting at the Forest Lumber Company mill here. The two men are officers in the White Lumber Company mill and railroad at Clarx and were here on a tour of inspection of the company's plant here.
Mr. C. A. Larsen, manager of the Forest Lumber Company offices here drove the party to Medford by way of Crater Lake Sunday.” (The Chiloquin Review)
Mr. C. A. Larsen, manager of the Forest Lumber Company offices here drove the party to Medford by way of Crater Lake Sunday.” (The Chiloquin Review)
September 18, 1925: “Many new families have moved into the houses available in town and at the Forest Lumber company mill, and the men have gone to work for the company.” (The Chiloquin Review)
September 25, 1925: “Many new families have moved into the houses available in town and at the Forest Lumber company mill, and the men have gone to work for the company.” (The Chiloquin Review)
September 25, 1925: “The Long Bell's tract comprising some 600,000,000 feet of rich fine timber holdings, about 28 miles northeast of Chiloquin is being cruised by the Forest Lumber company's cruisers, and it is rumored that the local company contemplates the purchase of the entire tract, which, if the deal is made, would involve about ten million dollars.
It is estimated that it will be nearly three months before the Forest cruisers complete their work work and make their final report as to the amount of timber in the Long Bell tract. In the event that the deal now pending is consummated it will be the largest timber deal made in this section of Oregon in many years and will mean much to this community.” (The Chiloquin Review)
It is estimated that it will be nearly three months before the Forest cruisers complete their work work and make their final report as to the amount of timber in the Long Bell tract. In the event that the deal now pending is consummated it will be the largest timber deal made in this section of Oregon in many years and will mean much to this community.” (The Chiloquin Review)
October 16, 1925: “The Forest Lumber company added another large body of timber to its already extensive holdings when a few days ago it acquired 300,000,000 feet of timber in the North marsh district of Klamath county known as the Shevlin-Hixon holdings in the reservation. The timber purchased by the Forest Lumber interests would have to be cut soon under government contract.
That the deal was completed was announced in a statement made by R. B. White, of Kansas City, president of the Forest Lumber company.
The Forest mill located at Aspgrove, about one and a quarter miles from this city, will have a capacity of 100,000,000 feet annually, and the acquisition of this body of timber increases its holdings to over a billion feet of timber, and it is understood that the company plans the purchase of additional bodies of timber in the near future.” (The Chiloquin Review)
That the deal was completed was announced in a statement made by R. B. White, of Kansas City, president of the Forest Lumber company.
The Forest mill located at Aspgrove, about one and a quarter miles from this city, will have a capacity of 100,000,000 feet annually, and the acquisition of this body of timber increases its holdings to over a billion feet of timber, and it is understood that the company plans the purchase of additional bodies of timber in the near future.” (The Chiloquin Review)
October 16, 1925: “The big new 'Forest Grove mill' is beautiful and makes a picturesque scene garbed in her garment of pearl-gray with white trimmings. She looks like a bride waiting for the bridegroom.” (The Chiloquin Review)
October 23, 1925: “While working at the Forest mill today, Ed Savage an old employee, fell from the second floor, breaking an arm and possibly his hip. Dr. Cameron was immediately summoned and removed the injured man to the Klamath Falls hospital.” (The Chiloquin Review)
October 30, 1925: “A crew of men from San Fransisco are busily engaged in installing machinery in the big mill of the Forest Lumber Co., at Aspgrove.” & “A.E. Peasley, the Klamath Falls photographer was at Aspgrove last Sunday where he took some fine pictures of the Forest Lumber company's big mill." & “Work on Aspgrove road between Chiloquin and the Forest Lumber company's mill is well under way. A good grade has been made and much work has been done, on the other end of the road.
Every effort is being made to complete the work before bad weather sets in.” (The Chiloquin Review)
Every effort is being made to complete the work before bad weather sets in.” (The Chiloquin Review)
November 13, 1925: “The work of installing the machinery in the Forest Lumber company's big plant is progressing rapidly, according to an official of the concern, when interviewed this week, and it is expected that all will be in readiness to commence operations between the first and fifteenth of December.
The company will handle mostly finished lumber, most of which will be shipped east to sash and door factories, the balance to California and other coast markets.” (The Chiloquin Review)
The company will handle mostly finished lumber, most of which will be shipped east to sash and door factories, the balance to California and other coast markets.” (The Chiloquin Review)
December 11, 1925: “One of the biggest sawmills in the county commenced operations Thursday when the immense plant of the Forest Lumber Company, of Oakdale, La., started sawing. The mill, located about a mile from Chiloquin, is one of the most modern in this part of the state and has a capacity of 150,000 feet every eight hours, and will operate with a ten-hour shift during the winter months.
A double band electrically driven operation has been installed, one of which is now in commission, and is operated by one shift; and in the near future another will be employed. It is understood to be the purpose of the management to operate two and two shifts in the spring. About 100 men are now employed in the company camp, and this force will be increased from time to time.
The mill, upon which construction work was begun less than three months ago, is one of the most up to date in this section, and considering the size of the project, the rapidity with which it was constructed, the installation of the machinery, and the early operation of the plant furnishes a record breaker for electrically equipped sawmill construction in this part of Oregon.
E.T. Horan, well known in Wisconsin and Louisiana lumber circles, is general manager of the company which now owns about 800,000,000 feet of timber on the Klamath reservation. In the spring the company will add a planer and a box factory to their present plant which will necessitate the employment of an additional crew.
There is at present, according to company officials, about six million feet of logs in the mill pond, and logging crews are still working in the woods, which work will be continued as long as weather conditions remain favorable.” (The Chiloquin Review)
A double band electrically driven operation has been installed, one of which is now in commission, and is operated by one shift; and in the near future another will be employed. It is understood to be the purpose of the management to operate two and two shifts in the spring. About 100 men are now employed in the company camp, and this force will be increased from time to time.
The mill, upon which construction work was begun less than three months ago, is one of the most up to date in this section, and considering the size of the project, the rapidity with which it was constructed, the installation of the machinery, and the early operation of the plant furnishes a record breaker for electrically equipped sawmill construction in this part of Oregon.
E.T. Horan, well known in Wisconsin and Louisiana lumber circles, is general manager of the company which now owns about 800,000,000 feet of timber on the Klamath reservation. In the spring the company will add a planer and a box factory to their present plant which will necessitate the employment of an additional crew.
There is at present, according to company officials, about six million feet of logs in the mill pond, and logging crews are still working in the woods, which work will be continued as long as weather conditions remain favorable.” (The Chiloquin Review)
January 1, 1926: “On February 1, the Forest Lumber company mill located one mile from town will commence operating both sides of their sawmill and at that time will employ about 200 men in the plant alone.
The first unit of the mill was opened three weeks ago and is operating very smoothly. The mill when completed will have a capacity of 150,000 feet every 8 hours. This is exclusive of the box factory which is being constructed at the present time. The factory which will be electrically driven, will be in operation by the first of June.
The Forest mill when completed will represent an expenditure of over $2,000,000 and is now the only electric driven sawmill in the Klamath region.
The company now has a number of woodsmen still out, but as soon as the heavy snows come they will be brought in until early spring.
Quantities of machinery are arriving daily and are being installed this week. Workmen are also on this first units of dry kilns, stacking yards, loading platforms and other yard necessities.
The mill pond at present contains about 6,000,000 feet of logs which Mr. Horan, the general manager, states will run the mill until the weather opens up so that the woods crew can again work.
The large monthly payroll that this mill's employees receive is almost all spent here in Chiloquin, principally because of the modern advantages offered the buying public by the local concerns.” (The Chiloquin Review)
The first unit of the mill was opened three weeks ago and is operating very smoothly. The mill when completed will have a capacity of 150,000 feet every 8 hours. This is exclusive of the box factory which is being constructed at the present time. The factory which will be electrically driven, will be in operation by the first of June.
The Forest mill when completed will represent an expenditure of over $2,000,000 and is now the only electric driven sawmill in the Klamath region.
The company now has a number of woodsmen still out, but as soon as the heavy snows come they will be brought in until early spring.
Quantities of machinery are arriving daily and are being installed this week. Workmen are also on this first units of dry kilns, stacking yards, loading platforms and other yard necessities.
The mill pond at present contains about 6,000,000 feet of logs which Mr. Horan, the general manager, states will run the mill until the weather opens up so that the woods crew can again work.
The large monthly payroll that this mill's employees receive is almost all spent here in Chiloquin, principally because of the modern advantages offered the buying public by the local concerns.” (The Chiloquin Review)
February 26, 1926: “P. Lorenz, the well known plumbing contractor of Klamath Falls was among business visitors in our city the first of the week. Mr. Lorenz has a large contract at the Forest Lumber company's big mill.” (The Chiloquin Review)
February 27, 1926: "In conformity with a plan by the Forest Lumber Company in its southern mills, the Klamath mill of the Forest Lumber Company at Pine Ridge has inaugurated a system whereby each board that leaves the plant is indelibly stamped on the end.
Initials are used, in this case, 'E.S.S. Co.,' referring to the Exchange Sawmill Sales Company, holding concern which controls this and eight other mills, and which markets their output.
One of the letters is underlined, giving the yardman in the east definite information as to which of the company's plants produced the lumber.
The Forest Lumber Company at Pine Ridge now has under construction a 100,000 gallon tank, standing on steel girders 100 feet in the air, designed as the supply tank for a modern system of sprinklers now being installed throughout the mill, and adjoining buildings.
Operation of the second hand saw is still held up by failure of the motor has been ordered from Portland and will be used until the original motor arrives.
The mill is now working two shifts. When both sides of the mill are in operation, only one shift will operate, until such time as the planing mill and box factory of the company are in operation." (The Sacramento Bee)
Initials are used, in this case, 'E.S.S. Co.,' referring to the Exchange Sawmill Sales Company, holding concern which controls this and eight other mills, and which markets their output.
One of the letters is underlined, giving the yardman in the east definite information as to which of the company's plants produced the lumber.
The Forest Lumber Company at Pine Ridge now has under construction a 100,000 gallon tank, standing on steel girders 100 feet in the air, designed as the supply tank for a modern system of sprinklers now being installed throughout the mill, and adjoining buildings.
Operation of the second hand saw is still held up by failure of the motor has been ordered from Portland and will be used until the original motor arrives.
The mill is now working two shifts. When both sides of the mill are in operation, only one shift will operate, until such time as the planing mill and box factory of the company are in operation." (The Sacramento Bee)
March 5, 1926: “The big lath mill at the Forest Lumber company's plant, which has been in the course of construction for some time, is now completed and the necessary machinery has been installed, so that the mill will be in operation Monday. Jack Peterson, one of the best lath mill men on the coast, is the superintendent.” (The Chiloquin Review)
April 16, 1926: “A crew of several men are engaged in moving houses and making room for a big three story hotel soon to be erected for use of the mill workers at a cost of $35,000.” (The Chiloquin Review)
July 30, 1926: “F.T. Horan superintendent of the Forest Lumber company, made a business call to the county seat Tuesday on business matters for his company.” (The Chiloquin Review)
July 30, 1926: “Deeds filed for record with the county recorder this week: Modoc Pine company to Forest Lumber company a Delaware corporation. All property owned by grantor, including millsite near Chiloquin, $10.” (The Chiloquin Review)
August 6, 1926: “Ralph Horan, paymaster of the Forest Lumber company, made a motor trip to Eugene Tuesday of this week.” (The Chiloquin Review)
August 27, 1926:
September 24, 1926: “Among the new phones recently installed by the Telephone Company was a phone for the Forest Inn located at Pine Ridge. This inn was built by the Forest Lumber Co.” (The Chiloquin Review)
September 24, 1926: “Jimmie Fader, of Pine Ridge, was in town Wednesday. Mr. Fader is employed by the Forest Lumber Company as cook.” (The Chiloquin Review)
October 29, 1929: "Jess Parker, caterpillar driver for the Forest Lumber company camp at Kirk, is a patient at the Klamath Valley hospital. Mr. Parker was injured several days ago but his condition is reported as satisfactory." (The Klamath News)
November 2, 1929: "The Forest Lumber company at Pine Ridge is operating two shifts a day and will continue to operate full capacity, according to F. T. Horan, manager. There is even a rumor that the Forest Lumber company is contemplating adding a box factory to their plant, although this rumor has not been officially confirmed. No shutdown is contemplated now." (The Klamath News)
April 5, 1930: "The Forest Lumber company, of Pine Ridge, was one of the earliest to reopen after the winter shutdown. F. T. Horan, manager, states that his mill has been operating on a one-shift basis since March 17. The camp is scheduled to open April 10. Approximately 210 are now employed and probably 130 more will go to work when the camp opens. Everet Giltfoyle is the mill superintendent and Ray Chase is camp superintendent for the Forest." (The Klamath News)
April 13, 1930: "The Forest Lumber company is operating two shifts and logs are coming from the woods at the rate of a trainload a day. F. T. Horan, manager of the Forest Lumber company of Pine Ridge, stated yesterday when he was in the city.
The first shift was put on March 17, when the mill opened and the second shift and the woods crew have been working about two weeks now.
Mrs. Horan accompanied Mr. Horan to this city, where they visited with their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Horan." (The Klamath News)
The first shift was put on March 17, when the mill opened and the second shift and the woods crew have been working about two weeks now.
Mrs. Horan accompanied Mr. Horan to this city, where they visited with their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Horan." (The Klamath News)
April 9, 1933: "Frank T. Horan, 65, general manager of the Forest Lumber company of Pine Ridge, died suddenly at his home Thursday night from a heart attack." (The Oregonian)
October 5, 1933: “Carl Youngren is back at work in the dry kilns at Pineridge with the resumption of activities at that plant. Mr. Youngren has lived in the Falls for the past two years since the Forest Lumber company ceased operations.” (The Chiloquin Review)
March 1, 1934: “The Forest Lumber company box factory will start initial operations some time the last part of next week, according to word reaching this office from the mill just to the north of this city at Pineridge.
The crew which will operate the modern up to date box factory and finishing plant will be taken from the crew already at work in the yards and shipping department of the mill, so no new men will be employed temporarily.
The factory will be one of the best in this section, according to reports and will enable the local mill to remanufacture all their box lumber, a thing they have not been able to do in the past. The new addition to the local plant will no doubt prove a profitable venture for the concern which has been selling its box lumber to other mills in the past.
Hebert Stevens, an experienced box factory man, will have charge of the factory for Forest.” (The Chiloquin Review)
The crew which will operate the modern up to date box factory and finishing plant will be taken from the crew already at work in the yards and shipping department of the mill, so no new men will be employed temporarily.
The factory will be one of the best in this section, according to reports and will enable the local mill to remanufacture all their box lumber, a thing they have not been able to do in the past. The new addition to the local plant will no doubt prove a profitable venture for the concern which has been selling its box lumber to other mills in the past.
Hebert Stevens, an experienced box factory man, will have charge of the factory for Forest.” (The Chiloquin Review)
April 26, 1934: “Good news for Chiloquin. A wire from Washington confirming the Forest Lumber Company tribal timber contract was the signal for increased activity at the Forest Lumber company town of Pineridge this week.
The word came Tuesday that the contract had been approved by the solicitor's office of the Indian Bureau and plans were immediately arranged by General Manager A.T. McDonough to start work at the camp 25 miles from here today, Thursday.
A crew of 100 men will be employed at the camp according to Manager McDonough who announced that Ray Chase will have charge of the logging operations again this year.
There are already 160 men employed at the mill and the opening of the logging operations insures in the neighborhood of 250 men employed by this concern.
The Forest Lumber Company timber contract unit lays 25 miles north and east of here in what is known as Calimus Marsh. The company owns its own railroad which connects the camp with the Southern Pacific Company line at Kirk.
A total of 125,000 feet daily will be cut by the logging crew according to present plans. Within two days after logging operations are started logs will be available for the mill.
The Forest mill has been in operation for several weeks cutting up some logs already in the pond from small truck logging operations. The box factory is a new addition to the mechanical set-up of the local mill and enables them to compete with other mills so equipped.
The signal for the opening of the Forest Lumber Company camp is the first actual operation on Indian tribal timber this year.” (The Chiloquin Review)
The word came Tuesday that the contract had been approved by the solicitor's office of the Indian Bureau and plans were immediately arranged by General Manager A.T. McDonough to start work at the camp 25 miles from here today, Thursday.
A crew of 100 men will be employed at the camp according to Manager McDonough who announced that Ray Chase will have charge of the logging operations again this year.
There are already 160 men employed at the mill and the opening of the logging operations insures in the neighborhood of 250 men employed by this concern.
The Forest Lumber Company timber contract unit lays 25 miles north and east of here in what is known as Calimus Marsh. The company owns its own railroad which connects the camp with the Southern Pacific Company line at Kirk.
A total of 125,000 feet daily will be cut by the logging crew according to present plans. Within two days after logging operations are started logs will be available for the mill.
The Forest mill has been in operation for several weeks cutting up some logs already in the pond from small truck logging operations. The box factory is a new addition to the mechanical set-up of the local mill and enables them to compete with other mills so equipped.
The signal for the opening of the Forest Lumber Company camp is the first actual operation on Indian tribal timber this year.” (The Chiloquin Review)
January 15, 1935: "Infringement of patent on an automatic take-off and trap for a sawing machine is charged in a suit filed yesterday in federal court by the Smooth Saw Equipment company of Nevada against the Forest Lumber company, doing business at Pine Ridge, Or. The complaint charges that the Forest Lumber company has infringed the plaintiff's patent on the invention by manufacturing, selling and using the device and seeks an injunction and damages." (The Oregonian)
March 9, 1939: “Forest Lumber Company's camp will open on March tenth according to the latest reports from the management at Pine Ridge. The camp is expected to be running full blast by the fifteenth.
At present the entire crew from last year are arriving back at the camp or have spent the shutdown period at the camp.” (The Chiloquin Review)
At present the entire crew from last year are arriving back at the camp or have spent the shutdown period at the camp.” (The Chiloquin Review)
March 16, 1939: “The Forest Inn has recently adopted a new system of dispensing meals according to a recent announcement from there. Beginning last Sunday the meals will all go on a restaurant basis, instead of family style, as it has been in the past several years. This is no new departure in the lumber business, as a number of mills and logging companies have taken the same measure in order to avoid unnecessary waste of supplies.” (The Chiloquin Review)
June 15, 1939: “Mr. J.B. Bivens, superintendent of Forest Lumber Company logging camp was in town Tuesday attending to business matters.” (The Chiloquin Review)
August 20, 1939: "A sudden fire, believed to be of incendiary origin, swept late Saturday through the lumber town of Pine Ridge 35 miles north of Klamath Falls to leave more than 600 people homeless and destroy property valued at $2,000,000.
The fact that the blaze leaped from the center of a lumber yard a considerable distance from workmen led to the theory that it may have been set deliberately.
The plant of the Forest Lumber company, one of the biggest timber operations in southern Oregon, was consumed by the flames, which leaped from the mill to a store building operated by the company, and then swept through 200 small homes occupied by workers.
Six hundred refugees were camped in fields near the remnant of the town, and guards were keeping watch for looters. Food and water were scarce, but provisions were being sent in from Chiloquin, two miles away. The Red Cross was at the scene offering assistance.
Flames were spreading through a rich stand of pine early this morning, burning a path six miles long in the direction of the Klamath Agency.
Charles Coons, business manager of the mill, reported that the loss would total more than $2,000,000.
A box factory, lumber shed, planer mill and several million feet of lumber were engulfed in the flames quickly. Crews fought a losing battle to save the company-operated hotel and office building, housed in a frame structure adjoining the burning store.
All buildings were owned by the lumber company, operated by Raymond White of Kansas City, Mo. Resident manager is A.T. McDonough.
The town is on the Southern Pacific railroad, and train crews worked feverishly to remove rolling stock from the path of the flames. Eight boxcars were burned." (The Oregonian)
The fact that the blaze leaped from the center of a lumber yard a considerable distance from workmen led to the theory that it may have been set deliberately.
The plant of the Forest Lumber company, one of the biggest timber operations in southern Oregon, was consumed by the flames, which leaped from the mill to a store building operated by the company, and then swept through 200 small homes occupied by workers.
Six hundred refugees were camped in fields near the remnant of the town, and guards were keeping watch for looters. Food and water were scarce, but provisions were being sent in from Chiloquin, two miles away. The Red Cross was at the scene offering assistance.
Flames were spreading through a rich stand of pine early this morning, burning a path six miles long in the direction of the Klamath Agency.
Charles Coons, business manager of the mill, reported that the loss would total more than $2,000,000.
A box factory, lumber shed, planer mill and several million feet of lumber were engulfed in the flames quickly. Crews fought a losing battle to save the company-operated hotel and office building, housed in a frame structure adjoining the burning store.
All buildings were owned by the lumber company, operated by Raymond White of Kansas City, Mo. Resident manager is A.T. McDonough.
The town is on the Southern Pacific railroad, and train crews worked feverishly to remove rolling stock from the path of the flames. Eight boxcars were burned." (The Oregonian)
August 24, 1939: “A fire of unknown origin razed the entire plant of the Forest Lumber Company at Pine Ridge to the ground in an afternoon blaze last Saturday. The fire started in approximately the center of the lumber yard where the piles run twenty-two feet in the air affording the fire fighters little chance of controlling them.
It destroyed the entire yard with the exception of the lath storage shed and the machine shop. It first razed the planing mill and detail lumber shed where the choicest lumber is stored for shipment, and finally with a changing wind swept on toward the mill, and crossed the river into the company houses, store and hotel.
Approximately four hundred and fifty men were on hand to fight the blaze, but as it gained headway with the wind that was blowing at the time it was evident that they would not be able to control it, but the majority of the fire fighters stayed on hand until it was evident that they were powerless to stop it.
No official estimate could be obtained as to the exact amount of the damage that was incurred until after the officials have completed the check up of the stock on hand from their records. Several outside estimates were made at two million dollars, but this could not be verified at the company headquarters.
About four hundred men were employed in the mill, factory and woods according to the closest estimates that could be obtained. Part of these have already gotten other employment with the Chiloquin Lumber Company, Crater Lake Lumber Company and other nearby mills, but quite a few of the number have taken temporary shelter in Chiloquin and vicinity awaiting other employment.
Around five o'clock, when the fire was at its height, the cut over land behind the mill caught fire and spread for approximately seven miles, from the scene of the fire. It covered the territory between the mill and the Agency highway in short order and then went on into the triangle between the Dallas-California highway and the Chiloquin road to the highway. This area was practically cleaned of brush and small standing timber between the two aforementioned roads. The woods fire took several barns and haystacks in the triangle along with timber.
At first there were a number of rumors indicating that the fire was of incendiary origin, but Sheriff Lloyd Low and his deputies found nothing on which to base the theory of incendiarism. It was further held unlikely because of the time that the fire started, four fifteen p.m., as there were quite a number of people nearby.
The original plant of the Forest Lumber Company was built in 1925 and the box factory was established by the company in 1934. The plant consisted of a two band head rig, with a capacity of about one hundred and thirty odd thousand board feet per shift, a planing mill and a box factory and sixteen dry kilns.
The plant was under the management of A.T. McDonough, and the company was headed by R.B. White, president. The company has been operating both night and day shifts in the plant for the past several months, but was closed down for Saturday afternoon at the time of the blaze.” (The Chiloquin Review)
It destroyed the entire yard with the exception of the lath storage shed and the machine shop. It first razed the planing mill and detail lumber shed where the choicest lumber is stored for shipment, and finally with a changing wind swept on toward the mill, and crossed the river into the company houses, store and hotel.
Approximately four hundred and fifty men were on hand to fight the blaze, but as it gained headway with the wind that was blowing at the time it was evident that they would not be able to control it, but the majority of the fire fighters stayed on hand until it was evident that they were powerless to stop it.
No official estimate could be obtained as to the exact amount of the damage that was incurred until after the officials have completed the check up of the stock on hand from their records. Several outside estimates were made at two million dollars, but this could not be verified at the company headquarters.
About four hundred men were employed in the mill, factory and woods according to the closest estimates that could be obtained. Part of these have already gotten other employment with the Chiloquin Lumber Company, Crater Lake Lumber Company and other nearby mills, but quite a few of the number have taken temporary shelter in Chiloquin and vicinity awaiting other employment.
Around five o'clock, when the fire was at its height, the cut over land behind the mill caught fire and spread for approximately seven miles, from the scene of the fire. It covered the territory between the mill and the Agency highway in short order and then went on into the triangle between the Dallas-California highway and the Chiloquin road to the highway. This area was practically cleaned of brush and small standing timber between the two aforementioned roads. The woods fire took several barns and haystacks in the triangle along with timber.
At first there were a number of rumors indicating that the fire was of incendiary origin, but Sheriff Lloyd Low and his deputies found nothing on which to base the theory of incendiarism. It was further held unlikely because of the time that the fire started, four fifteen p.m., as there were quite a number of people nearby.
The original plant of the Forest Lumber Company was built in 1925 and the box factory was established by the company in 1934. The plant consisted of a two band head rig, with a capacity of about one hundred and thirty odd thousand board feet per shift, a planing mill and a box factory and sixteen dry kilns.
The plant was under the management of A.T. McDonough, and the company was headed by R.B. White, president. The company has been operating both night and day shifts in the plant for the past several months, but was closed down for Saturday afternoon at the time of the blaze.” (The Chiloquin Review)
August 30, 1939: "The Klamath county Red Cross Pine Ridge disaster fund campaign is far over its quota of $1500, according to Secretary George Walton of the Red Cross chapter.
Walton said the response to the call for help was spontaneous. Not only was there widespread giving of cash, but dozens of people offered clothing, household utensils and other necessities to replace articles lost in the $2,000,000 fire at the Klamath county mill town a week ago.
The Red Cross is operating a disaster relief headquarters at Chiloquin, three miles from Pine Ridge.
The California Oregon Power company reported the fire damaged Copco equipment to the extent of $10,000. It burned down the mill of the Forest Lumber company and all but half a dozen mill workers' houses.
It has not been announced whether the mill will be rebuilt." (The Oregonian)
Walton said the response to the call for help was spontaneous. Not only was there widespread giving of cash, but dozens of people offered clothing, household utensils and other necessities to replace articles lost in the $2,000,000 fire at the Klamath county mill town a week ago.
The Red Cross is operating a disaster relief headquarters at Chiloquin, three miles from Pine Ridge.
The California Oregon Power company reported the fire damaged Copco equipment to the extent of $10,000. It burned down the mill of the Forest Lumber company and all but half a dozen mill workers' houses.
It has not been announced whether the mill will be rebuilt." (The Oregonian)
November 30, 1939: “The final removal of the cars destroyed by the Pine Ridge fire was made by the Southern Pacific's relief crew this week. The work was under the supervision of H.A. Sprague and B.G. Buymon of Klamath Falls. All of the materials were loaded onto flat cars and shipped out the first of the week.” (The Chiloquin Review)
October 3, 1940: “Boilers and other similar equipment of the Forest Lumber Company in Pine Ridge has been sold to the Long Bell Lumber Company in Klamath Falls and is now being removed by workmen.” (The Chiloquin Review)
December 12, 1940: “The water tank and smoke stacks of the Forest Lumber Company in Pine Ridge are being torn down this week by workmen from Dorris, California. Reports are that the water tank will be used in the city of Dorris.” (The Chiloquin Review)
May 11, 1941: "Wallace S. Kellison filed suit in federal district court Friday asking $25,000 damages against the Forest Lumber company of Pine Ridge for a hip injury allegedly suffered in the company's plant on January 30, 1939." (The Oregonian)