HAMMOND LUMBER COMPANY
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Clatsop County - Astoria
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March 10, 1900: "A report, which has been traced to very reliable sources, was circulated yesterday to the effect that A. B. Hammond had just secured a title to the largest portion of the water frontage at New Astoria and that work would be immediately commenced on the construction of a sawmill with a daily capacity of 200,000 feet.
The property, it is said, consists of all of Dr. Adair's holdings on the water front and considerable other property adjacent to it which will be necessary for the the convenient operation of the mill.
Dr. Adair was in the city yesterday afternoon, returning on the evening train to his home. He could not be seen prior to the departure of the train and no confirmation or denial of the report could therefore be obtained from him.
A gentleman in this city, however, who is supposed to be reasonably well acquainted with Mr. Hammond's intentions relative to investments in this section stated last night that the deal has been made as above stated.
It is understood that a large sum of money has already been exchanged to bind the negotiations and that the balance will be paid very shortly.
Some time ago, Dr. Adair presented to Mr. Hammond a mill site in a most favorable location on the water front at New Astoria, and the property involved in the new deal is said to represent that adjoining the original grant on either side." (The Morning Astorian)
The property, it is said, consists of all of Dr. Adair's holdings on the water front and considerable other property adjacent to it which will be necessary for the the convenient operation of the mill.
Dr. Adair was in the city yesterday afternoon, returning on the evening train to his home. He could not be seen prior to the departure of the train and no confirmation or denial of the report could therefore be obtained from him.
A gentleman in this city, however, who is supposed to be reasonably well acquainted with Mr. Hammond's intentions relative to investments in this section stated last night that the deal has been made as above stated.
It is understood that a large sum of money has already been exchanged to bind the negotiations and that the balance will be paid very shortly.
Some time ago, Dr. Adair presented to Mr. Hammond a mill site in a most favorable location on the water front at New Astoria, and the property involved in the new deal is said to represent that adjoining the original grant on either side." (The Morning Astorian)
November 1909: "The Hammond Lumber Co.'s mill, Astoria, has resumed operations after a short close down for the installation of new machinery." (The Timberman, Vol. 11, 1909-10)
January 9, 1912: "Suit of A. E. Baker against the Hammond Lumber Company for the recovery of $40,000 damages for personal injuries was transferred yesterday from the State Circuit Court of Clatsop County to the United States Court. Baker alleges that in June, 1910, while employed in the defendant company's sawmill at Astoria, he was working underneath a slabwood conveyor, used in connection with the mill, when several large slabs fell upon him, causing serious bodily injuries." (Morning Oregonian)
January 30, 1912: "A suit was filed in the Circuit Court today by Axel K. O--- against the Hammond Lumber Company to recover $10,000 damages for personal injuries. On October 31 last the plaintiff's right hand was so badly crushed in the gearing of the carriage in the defendant's sawmill that amputation was necessary. Defective machinery is alleged as the cause of the accident." (Morning Oregonian)
January 3, 1918: “The Hammond Lumber company has awarded contracts for the erection of 25 modern bungalows adjacent to its mill for the use of its employes at Astoria.” (The Glendale News)
July 18, 1918: “Following a shut down of more than a week as a result of the fire July 7, the Hammond Lumber company's mill at Astoria resumed operations Wednesday. The loss from the fire, aside from closing down the plant, will total close to $100,000.” (The Glendale News)
September 15, 1922: "The great Hammond mill, one of the largest lumber manufacturing plants in the world, was destroyed by flames that started from an overheated journal in the main edger of the mill at 5 o'clock Monday evening. The loss is estimated at $1,000,000, 75 per cent of which is said to be covered by insurance.
Six hundred men were employed at the mill, whose payroll was over $75,000 monthly. The mill was cutting 425,000 feet of lumber daily. In addition to the mill and equipment, 10,000,000 feet of lumber was burned. The outer docks, an elevated tramway, a large quantity of lumber and a substantial portion of the lumber stored in the yard were saved.
About 20 railway cars loaded with lumber ready for shipment were hauled away from the plant to safety while the fire was in progress.
The mill took fire just as the night crew was going to work. Within an instant it had spread throughout the plant." (The Boardman Mirror)
Six hundred men were employed at the mill, whose payroll was over $75,000 monthly. The mill was cutting 425,000 feet of lumber daily. In addition to the mill and equipment, 10,000,000 feet of lumber was burned. The outer docks, an elevated tramway, a large quantity of lumber and a substantial portion of the lumber stored in the yard were saved.
About 20 railway cars loaded with lumber ready for shipment were hauled away from the plant to safety while the fire was in progress.
The mill took fire just as the night crew was going to work. Within an instant it had spread throughout the plant." (The Boardman Mirror)
May 2, 1924: "A fire supposed to have started from a cigarette dropped from a passing train, Sunday afternoon burned a space about 100 feet square in the Hammond Lumber company wharf and destroyed the side track. As a result of the fire the Western Union Telegraph line to Portland was put out of business." (Monmouth Herald)