LEBANON PAPER MILLS
Lebanon
November 18, 1898: "Mr. O'Neil, of the Lebanon paper mill, made a trip to Niagara Tuesday looking over the property his firm has acquired there for the purpose of putting in extensive wood pulp mills." (The Santiam News)
May 5, 1905: "Seven thousand cords of wood are being floated down the South Santiam river for the Lebanon paper mills. Most of the wood was put into the river at the mouth of McDowell creek, and must float 12 miles to just above the Lebanon dam, where a boom catches it and turns it into the canal to the paper mills. Part of the wood id balm, for use in making white paper, but most of it is red fir, for use as fuel. The Lebanon paper mills consume 7,500 cords of red and white fir wood as fuel every year." (The Columbia Register)
January 24, 1908: “After being closed for three weeks, the Lebanon paper mill has resumed work and 50 men temporarily idle are again in employment. The recent flood piled so many logs in the Santiam canal that the mill could not get a supply of fuel wood for the regular consumption of 30 cords daily. Though this was the cause of the shutdown, some feared it might be due to the financial stringency, but the prompt resumption of work has restored confidence.” (The Glendale News)
August 22, 1913: “George W. Spurling, 73 years old, was instantly killed this morning at the Lebanon Paper Mills by being caught in a big rope belt and drawn into the rapidly revolving 13 foot drive wheel. Just how he got into the belt of wheel is not known, as he was alone at the time. The engineer was at his desk in the engine room making out his daily report.
The body of the unfortunate man was torn completely to pieces and workmen in the mill at the time say that the flesh was thrown over the big room in all directions.
Details concerning how Spurling met his death are not known as there were no eye witnesses to the terrible accident. It appears that he was traversing a gangway leading from the engine house to another department of the big mill. Across this gangway run 12 inch and three quarter rope beltings, forming the main drive from the engine room. All of these belts are carefully guarded with fenders and casings, with the exception of one place that is scarcely large enough for a man's body to get through. It is a mystery how Spurling's body could have gotten through this but it is apparent that it was through this opening that he met his death. It is maintained that Spurling who is known to be a sufferer from fainting spells, may have stumbled and fallen into the opening. In plunging downward the man evidently fell through the rail and landed on the swiftly moving belts, and was carried around a huge pulley and torn to shreds. The body was cut in two at the waist and the left leg cut off. The heart was found lying fully ten feet away, and the right arm was torn off at the shoulder. The body was cut into eight pieces and mangled nearly beyond re cognition. Death was instantaneous.
Mr. Spurling had been with the Paper Mill Company for 35 years, having been with the O'Neill Bros. For 15 years in California before they started the Lebanon plant, and he has been in the mill here continuously for the last 21 years. He rarely took a vacation. He was one of the most faithful and trusted employes in the mill. He leaves besides his widow one son and two daughters all grown.” (The Brownsville Times)
The body of the unfortunate man was torn completely to pieces and workmen in the mill at the time say that the flesh was thrown over the big room in all directions.
Details concerning how Spurling met his death are not known as there were no eye witnesses to the terrible accident. It appears that he was traversing a gangway leading from the engine house to another department of the big mill. Across this gangway run 12 inch and three quarter rope beltings, forming the main drive from the engine room. All of these belts are carefully guarded with fenders and casings, with the exception of one place that is scarcely large enough for a man's body to get through. It is a mystery how Spurling's body could have gotten through this but it is apparent that it was through this opening that he met his death. It is maintained that Spurling who is known to be a sufferer from fainting spells, may have stumbled and fallen into the opening. In plunging downward the man evidently fell through the rail and landed on the swiftly moving belts, and was carried around a huge pulley and torn to shreds. The body was cut in two at the waist and the left leg cut off. The heart was found lying fully ten feet away, and the right arm was torn off at the shoulder. The body was cut into eight pieces and mangled nearly beyond re cognition. Death was instantaneous.
Mr. Spurling had been with the Paper Mill Company for 35 years, having been with the O'Neill Bros. For 15 years in California before they started the Lebanon plant, and he has been in the mill here continuously for the last 21 years. He rarely took a vacation. He was one of the most faithful and trusted employes in the mill. He leaves besides his widow one son and two daughters all grown.” (The Brownsville Times)
October 2, 1913: "Rafters to commence the wood-drive for the Lebanon paper mills, passed through town for up river points, the first of the week." (Intermountain Tribune and Linn County Agriculturalist)
January 1, 1915: “Through a deal closed recently by a new corporation known as the Crown Willamette Paper Company, made up of California capitalists, the Lebanon Paper Mills are taken over and will be operated by the new company. Under the new company, the Lebanon mills became one of a chain of paper mills owned and operated by this company in Oregon, Washington and California. The Lebanon mills will be continued under the same local management.” (The Brownsville Times)