LEONA MILLS
Douglas County - Leona
December 12, 1902: “While oiling the cut-off saw at Leona Mills, on Tuesday last week, George Vaughn of Cottage Grove, slipped and fell with his left hand on the saw, cutting through the hand leaving only the little finger.” (Glendale News)
February 13, 1903: “C. D. Clark, who, was caught between two logs at the Leona mills, died from the effect of his injuries. He left a wife and four small children. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World.” (Glendale News)
January 23, 1904: “A material change has taken place in the personnel of the Leona Mills Lumber Co., Mr. J. J. Kenny, who recently acquired man interest there having purchased the entire shares of J. A. Black and T. E. Bledsoe, the former owners. Mr. McKenny takes full charge of the business at once. Mr. Black will continue to reside in Drain and Mr. Bledsoe will remain at the mills for the present. Mr. Kenny, who is an experienced sawmill man, expects to operate the mills in an extensive way. The forces of men working in the woods, which were recently laid off, are to be replaced at once and more men are wanted, to go to work right away. The Roseburg yards are to be maintained with a larger and better stock of building materials than ever before.” (Roseburg Review)
February 1, 1904: “The Leona Mill Co. has bought the Lauren Tracy place adjoining their property and will run a tramway to the place and enlarge their yard.” (Roseburg Review)
February 3, 1904: “Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Kenny came over from Leona Monday evening. Mr. Kenny is the new proprietor of the Leona mills. We are pleased to learn that he now has sufficient orders for lumber to keep the mills busy for several weeks, at least.” (Roseburg Review)
March 18, 1904: “Articles of incorporation were filed in the office of the secretary of state last week: Leona Mills lumber company, Leona, Douglas county, $100,000.” (The Glendale News)
December 26, 1908: "W. D. Tarr was seriously scalded by the bursting of a steam pipe at Leona Mills. He was facing the pipe when the accident occurred and was scalded nearly from head to feet. He was taken to Portland. Reports from St. Vincent's hospital say he is seriously injured, but will probably recover. His home is in Drain, where he has a wife and two boys." (The Coos Bay Times)
January 6, 1910: “The Leona Mills company have filed a suit in the circuit court against F. F. Patterson, the contractor. The company asks to recover the sum of $815.65 alleged to be due for lumber and merchandise purchased by the defendant from the plaintiff.” (The News-Review)
December 3, 1910: “The Leona Mills Lumber Company has filed suit in the circuit court against The Sutherlin Lumber Manufacturing Company, in which the former corporation asks to recover in the sum of $789.23, alleged to be due for lumber sold to the defendants. The transaction is a;lleged to have occurred on May 1, 1909. The plaintiff is represented by Attorney george Neuner.” (The News-Review)
January 13, 1911: “Leona Mills Lumber Company vs. Sutherlin Lumber & Manufacturing Company, action for money; settled and dismissed.” (The News-Review)
February 28, 1911: “While working about the Leona mills, at Leona, late yesterday afternoon, Jake Skoz, sustained a serious injury of the foot, and as a result he was brought here last night and admitted to Mercy hospital where he is being treated by Dr. Stewart. According to the story told by the injured man he was piling lumber when in some unexplained manner, one of the pieces became loosened and fell across his foot. Although very painful, the attending physician anticipates a speedy recovery.” (The News-Review)
May 1, 1911: “The Sawmill and yards of the Leona Lumber Mills Company, at Leona, about forty miles north of Roseburg, were totally destroyed by fire late Saturday afternoon. It is estimated that about 2,000,000 feet of lumber piled in the yards was also burned, entailing a total loss of approximately $65,000.
The fire was first discovered by mill employes shortly after 3 o'clock and at the time was confined to the engine room. Fanned by a breeze, the flames spread with remarkable rapidity, and in less than two hours the mill was reduced to a pile of smouldering ashes. Practically without fire protection, other than a pump in the engine room which was immediately cut off by fire, the citizens of the village formed a bucket brigade, but were soon compelled to retreat on account of the intense heat.
From the mills, the flames spread to nearby piles of lumber, thence to the Southern Pacific tracks and into the main yards located a short distance to the east of the mill. The yards were fairly filled with lumber, over 2,000,000 feet of which was destroyed before the fire was gotten under control. A Southern Pacific freight car, loaded with lumber, and in readiness for shipment, was also consumed by the flames, as was the dryer house which was filled with select lumber for early shipment. Fortunately, the wind was blowing in a northeasterly direction, thus preventing the flames from reaching the store, office and dwellings occupied by millhands. In response to a call for assistance, about 100 residents of Drain arrived at the scene soon after the discovery of the flames, but were unable to lend any great amount of assistance in the face of the inadequate fire protection. The southbound local train, due here at 5:30 in the afternoon was held at Comstock until after midnight. Several freight trains were also delayed, and for a time traffic was practically suspended on the Roseburg end of the line. As soon as the fire was under control several crews of section men were ordered out, after an hour's work succeeded in repairing the damage on the main line. For a distance of about forty feet the ties were burned, while the rails were warped and bent. The sidetrack, which was closest to the mill mill, is practically ruined, and will necessitate the installation of few rails and ties.
The Leona mill was owned by J. J. Kenney, and son, W. H. Kenney, and was valued at approximately $20,000. It had a capacity of 60,000 feet per day, and was equipped with the latest and most modern machinery. When in full operation the mill gave employment to 25 men, while in the camp a larger number were employed. According to the of the mill, there was about 2,000,000 feet of lumber in the yards, all of which is a total loss. It is understood that $10,000 insurance was carried on the lumber. The mill was in operation at the time the flames were discovered, and it is a general supposition, that the fire caught by a spark in the engine room. Some people say, however, that the fire caught from a passing Southern Pacific engine, but this theory is scouted by those who were on the ground at the time of discovering the flames. For several hours Saturday evening both telephone and telegraph communication to the north was interrupted. A number of poles were burned, and it was necessary to route out the wire chief before service could be restored.
As yet the owners of the mill are undecided as to whether they will rebuild. A branch yard of the Leona Mill Company is located in this city, being situated on Oak street near the Southern Pacific tracks.” (The News-Review)
The fire was first discovered by mill employes shortly after 3 o'clock and at the time was confined to the engine room. Fanned by a breeze, the flames spread with remarkable rapidity, and in less than two hours the mill was reduced to a pile of smouldering ashes. Practically without fire protection, other than a pump in the engine room which was immediately cut off by fire, the citizens of the village formed a bucket brigade, but were soon compelled to retreat on account of the intense heat.
From the mills, the flames spread to nearby piles of lumber, thence to the Southern Pacific tracks and into the main yards located a short distance to the east of the mill. The yards were fairly filled with lumber, over 2,000,000 feet of which was destroyed before the fire was gotten under control. A Southern Pacific freight car, loaded with lumber, and in readiness for shipment, was also consumed by the flames, as was the dryer house which was filled with select lumber for early shipment. Fortunately, the wind was blowing in a northeasterly direction, thus preventing the flames from reaching the store, office and dwellings occupied by millhands. In response to a call for assistance, about 100 residents of Drain arrived at the scene soon after the discovery of the flames, but were unable to lend any great amount of assistance in the face of the inadequate fire protection. The southbound local train, due here at 5:30 in the afternoon was held at Comstock until after midnight. Several freight trains were also delayed, and for a time traffic was practically suspended on the Roseburg end of the line. As soon as the fire was under control several crews of section men were ordered out, after an hour's work succeeded in repairing the damage on the main line. For a distance of about forty feet the ties were burned, while the rails were warped and bent. The sidetrack, which was closest to the mill mill, is practically ruined, and will necessitate the installation of few rails and ties.
The Leona mill was owned by J. J. Kenney, and son, W. H. Kenney, and was valued at approximately $20,000. It had a capacity of 60,000 feet per day, and was equipped with the latest and most modern machinery. When in full operation the mill gave employment to 25 men, while in the camp a larger number were employed. According to the of the mill, there was about 2,000,000 feet of lumber in the yards, all of which is a total loss. It is understood that $10,000 insurance was carried on the lumber. The mill was in operation at the time the flames were discovered, and it is a general supposition, that the fire caught by a spark in the engine room. Some people say, however, that the fire caught from a passing Southern Pacific engine, but this theory is scouted by those who were on the ground at the time of discovering the flames. For several hours Saturday evening both telephone and telegraph communication to the north was interrupted. A number of poles were burned, and it was necessary to route out the wire chief before service could be restored.
As yet the owners of the mill are undecided as to whether they will rebuild. A branch yard of the Leona Mill Company is located in this city, being situated on Oak street near the Southern Pacific tracks.” (The News-Review)
June 16, 1911: “We are informed that the debris is being cleared away at the Leona lumber yards, preparatory to building a large lumber mill there to replace the one burned down a short time ago.” (The News-Review)
October 6, 1911: “The Leona sawmill, which was recently destroyed by fire, is being rebuilt.” (Yoncalla Times)
November 3, 1911: “The saw mill at Leona which was completely destroyed by fire sometime ago is being rapidly rebuilt and is expected to be in running order by the first of the year.” (The Yoncalla Times)
January 20, 1912: “Arthur Green returned to Leona this afternoon after a couple of days spent in Roseburg. Mr. Green says the Leona Mills Lumber Company is constructing a new and modern mill to replace the one which burned to the ground late last fall, and the same will probably be in readiness for operation at an early date.” (The News-Review)
January 23, 1912: “According to Harry Kenney, who arrived here this morning the Leona Mills, situated at Leona, will resume operations some time this week. The old mill was burned last fall, and the new plant was constructed at considerable expense. The present mill is said to be modern in every particular, and has a much greater capacity than the mill which was destroyed last fall.” (The News-Review)
January 26, 1912: “The Leona sawmill which was destroyed by fire several months ago, has been rebuilt and will resume operations in a few days. It is said the new mill will have a much greater capacity than the one recently destroyed.” (The Yoncalla Times)
July 18, 1913: “Edmund Langenberg, a saw filer, was instantly killed at the Leona mills just before noon on Monday last, by being crushed between two logs on the log deck in the mills. The log puller had just pulled up a crooked log and the steam log kicker failed to throw the log out of the chute, and Mr. Langenberg, who was standing on the log deck watching it, stepped between it and another log to get a hook to help move the log which had stuck, when the kicker suddenly kicked the log over, crushing him to death almost instantly. He was about 24 years old.
He leaves a widow and a child about two years old, three brothers, two sisters and a mother. Mr. Langenberg was born in Roseburg, was an excellent young man, and had numerous friends. He was a member of Oak Camp No. 125, Woodmen of the World, and his life was insured for $2000 in it. His body was taken to Roseburg, and buried in the Catholic cemetery.---Review.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
He leaves a widow and a child about two years old, three brothers, two sisters and a mother. Mr. Langenberg was born in Roseburg, was an excellent young man, and had numerous friends. He was a member of Oak Camp No. 125, Woodmen of the World, and his life was insured for $2000 in it. His body was taken to Roseburg, and buried in the Catholic cemetery.---Review.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
January 2, 1914: “The management of the Leona Mills held a Christmas tree in honor of their many employees. The tree was well laden with presents, which were distributed by a real Santa. The Leona Mills Company gave each of its employes, together with the members of their families, a substantial gift.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
March 7, 1914: “A serious accident, which might easily have proved fatal to some, happened at the Leona mills the other day. A heavy timber, some twenty feet long, caught in the saw and was hurled through the air with such violence that it was broken in two. This caused the loss of control of the log carrier and Otto Hanson and Joe Brozene were caught by the carriage. Both men were badly bruised with a possibility of internal injuries.---Drain Nonpariel.” (The Evening News)
August 14, 1914: “Drain---Three men lost their lives in a forest fire which destroyed all the camp equipment and three donkey engines of the Leona Mills Lumber company, two miles west of the town of Leona. The fire is still raging and a large force of men are fighting it.
The dead are John P. Durfee, Albert Safley and George Hughes.
Hiram Applegate and several others were badly burned.
The fire started from a log on which two blasts of dynamite had been placed. One of the charges did not explode and the men were afraid to approach the spot to combat the fire until it had spread beyond control.
The victims were caught when the wind suddenly changed the course of the fire, surrounding them.
Mr. Durfee is survived by a wife and two children, and Mr. Hughes leaves a bride of three months.” (The Glendale News)
The dead are John P. Durfee, Albert Safley and George Hughes.
Hiram Applegate and several others were badly burned.
The fire started from a log on which two blasts of dynamite had been placed. One of the charges did not explode and the men were afraid to approach the spot to combat the fire until it had spread beyond control.
The victims were caught when the wind suddenly changed the course of the fire, surrounding them.
Mr. Durfee is survived by a wife and two children, and Mr. Hughes leaves a bride of three months.” (The Glendale News)
June 3, 1915: “From a very reliable source it has been learned that the mills at Leona are getting ready to start again shortly on a much larger basis than before. New machinery is now on the ground and the placing of this and enlarging of the plant will begin at once. It is said that the capacity of the mill is to be increased to 100,000 feet daily. This will mean the employment of 75 to 100 men. The improvements include a drying kiln and increased shed room. It is thought that the work of repairing and installing the machinery will be completed so that the plant will be completed so that the plant will be in operation not later than July 15th, or August 1st. This mill has a logging road of standard gauge, that runs four miles into the timber line. The opening of this mill again will be good news to the people of Drain and Leona, as it has been closed down since last October.” (The Evening News)
June 5, 1915: "Lumbering operations in the northern part of this county are to be resumed on a large scale at an early date, according to authentic information received here. Manager Cote, of the Leona Mills, has a force of men at work there and additional boilers and other machinery are being installed. This will increase the capacity of the mill to 100,000 feet of lumber per day. The planers are to be placed in a new annex to the mill and the operating facilities greatly improved in all departments. It is expected that the enlarged mill will be ready for operations in about sixty days.
About July 1st work is to begin on repairing the railroad into the timber, and further extensions of this road will be built. When operations at the mill are fully resumed, about 100 men will be employed there and in the logging operations. This will give a great impetus to business in all lines in the northern part of the county.
The resumption of operations at this and other sawmills is conclusive evidence that mill operators are expecting an active demand for building materials." (Port Umpqua Courier)
About July 1st work is to begin on repairing the railroad into the timber, and further extensions of this road will be built. When operations at the mill are fully resumed, about 100 men will be employed there and in the logging operations. This will give a great impetus to business in all lines in the northern part of the county.
The resumption of operations at this and other sawmills is conclusive evidence that mill operators are expecting an active demand for building materials." (Port Umpqua Courier)
June 27, 1918: "Real patriotic war work is being done by Miss Elsie Sagaberd, daughter of William Sagaberd of Drain, who is taking a man's place in the mills of the Leona Lumber company at Leona. Miss Sagaberd is 17 years old, but it was scarcely a week ago since she donned overalls and started to work in the Leona mills. She has proved her efficiency with the work and is happy and satisfied with her position. Miss Sagaberd assists in turning the rough logs out into lumber to be used for various building purposes. The Leona mills have lost a number of men by enlistment in the service and when Miss Sagaberd heard that they needed help badly she declared that she was able to do the work well and has proved that she can handle the lumber and logs just as efficiently as any man." (Oregon Daily Journal)
October 6, 1921: "Foreclosure proceedings to enforce the payment of $30,000 and accrues interest remaining from a $100,000 loan made in 1913 was begum in federal court yesterday by the Union Trust company of Chicago, Ill., against the Leona Mills Lumber company, an Oregon corporation with the holdings in Douglas county. The complaint sets forth that the holdings of the company were mortgaged to secure an issue of $100,000 of bonds payable in semi-yearly installments of $5,000. The Leona mills are alleged to have failed in their agreement in 1920, and laid themselves open to foreclosure." (Morning Oregonian)
August 24, 1922: “Messrs. Zimmerman and Fisher were in Leona a short time last week superintending the bringing out of some donkey engines from camp.” (The Drain Enterprise)
August 31, 1922: “Notices have been posted at Leona that the holdings of the Leona Lumber Co., including some timber land, store, mill, etc. will be sold at auction Sept. 23, 1922, to the highest bidder.” (The Drain Enterprise)
October 5, 1922: “Leona Mills and all timber property belonging to the company and recently advertised to be sold at sheriff's sale on Saturday September 30, was bid in by Mr. Cook for $8,000 the amount of the claims now out against the company.
Mr. Cook is now receiver of the company.” (The Drain Enterprise)
Mr. Cook is now receiver of the company.” (The Drain Enterprise)
October 12, 1922: “The sale of the Leona Mills, Leona store and the timber holdings failed to come off last Saturday as advertised as Mr. Cook paid off the indebtedness himself. Mr. Cook is now receiver and it is hoped he will see fit to start the mill soon again.” (The Drain Enterprise)
March 15, 1923: “The people of Leona are waiting word as to what action will be taken concerning the Leona mills property, as the creditors won the suit in the courts a week or so ago.” (The Drain Enterprise)
May 31, 1923: “A sale on mortgage foreclosure by the Union Trust Company, or Portland, and C. K. Cavanee trustees, of the Leona Mills property, will be held by Sheriff Sam Starmer at the Court House at Roseburg on June 27th. The property to be offered for sale includes all the real estate of the company in or near Leona, together with the buildings and structures of every kind, including saw mills and accessory plants, with their respective equipment, cottages, storehouse, office buildings and all improvements of every kind, and all rails and equipment and right of way of the logging railroad.
The order of sale was made by Robt. F. Mcguire, Master in Chancery of the District Court of the United States for the District of Oregon.
The Leona Mills, when in operation, employed a force of about 200 men, making quite a large pay roll. The plant closed down in August, 1921, and since that time the property has been in charge of a watchman.” (The Drain Enterprise)
The order of sale was made by Robt. F. Mcguire, Master in Chancery of the District Court of the United States for the District of Oregon.
The Leona Mills, when in operation, employed a force of about 200 men, making quite a large pay roll. The plant closed down in August, 1921, and since that time the property has been in charge of a watchman.” (The Drain Enterprise)
August 23, 1923: “The water tank at the Leona mill is being remodeled and a new pump will be installed for fire protection.” (The Drain Enterprise)
1923: From the Directory of the lumber industry (Pacific Coast): Leona Mills Lumber Co., Leona (not running); camp address, same; 1 side; daily output, 65 M; 8 donkey engines; 1 high lead; commissary; machine shop; 8 miles s. g. track; 30-40 lb. rail; 2 geared locomotives; fuel used on locomotives, oil; maximum grade, 6 per cent; 14 sets logging trucks; 1 flat car." (Directory of the lumber industry, 1923)
July 24, 1924: “There is renewed talk of the mill starting in the near future, as an engineer came down last week to look over the proposition of taking up the logging tracks from up Rock Creek and laying them up the Sandy road.” (The Drain Enterprise)