PENNOYER SAWMILL
Multnomah County
June 30, 1888: "John McIntosh, a young man employed at Gov. Pennoyer's sawmill, Portland, met with a serious accident, entailing the loss of his right hand. H e was working at a planer and in stepping on the lever to throw the belt off the pulley, he slipped and was pitched forward, his hand striking the planer and being caught under the heavy blades. It was frightfully mangled as far up as the wrist. Mr. McIntosh was taken to his home." (Eugene City Guard)
January 18, 1900: "People in the neighborhood of Pennoyer's mill are likely to see a big smoke issuing from its huge smokestack one of these days, after nearly six years of inactivity, while free-silver discussions rent the air and the world wagged on all around the 14-acre tract belonging to the company. Mr. Riter, in company with the millwright, is busy this week taking dimensions and preparing to turn the wheels again, as soon as the necessary repairs can be made. The machinery proves to have been well taken care of during all the years of idleness, and lots of tallow and oil were used to prevent rust. Although no fires were built in the furnace, the whole of the ponderous machinery was turned at regular intervals, to keep it in working trim.
The company, however, propose to spend a good deal of money in making additions and improvements. A stout wagon-bridge is to be built from the south end of the main mill building to the foot of Grant street, at Hood, a distance of 1200 feet, while the old wagon-bridge is to be strengthened and prepared for drying lumber by the slower by more satisfactory air process. A large dryhouse, too, is included in the list of improvements, and even a bridge across the Willamette is hinted at. This bridge, if it is built, will be provided with a proper draw, and give the mill the needed rail connection with the markets of the world.
The old box factory to the north of the main mill will also start up again, and so the revived industry will give employment to 100 hands or over, when in full blast. Property-owners in the neighborhood are already beginning to think of extensive repairs to dwelling houses long vacant, and both landlord and Tennent in that part of town will gladly hail the first puff of smoke from the big mill, as the final surrender of a great free-silver champion to the welcome goddess of prosperity." (Morning Oregonian)
The company, however, propose to spend a good deal of money in making additions and improvements. A stout wagon-bridge is to be built from the south end of the main mill building to the foot of Grant street, at Hood, a distance of 1200 feet, while the old wagon-bridge is to be strengthened and prepared for drying lumber by the slower by more satisfactory air process. A large dryhouse, too, is included in the list of improvements, and even a bridge across the Willamette is hinted at. This bridge, if it is built, will be provided with a proper draw, and give the mill the needed rail connection with the markets of the world.
The old box factory to the north of the main mill will also start up again, and so the revived industry will give employment to 100 hands or over, when in full blast. Property-owners in the neighborhood are already beginning to think of extensive repairs to dwelling houses long vacant, and both landlord and Tennent in that part of town will gladly hail the first puff of smoke from the big mill, as the final surrender of a great free-silver champion to the welcome goddess of prosperity." (Morning Oregonian)
July 31, 1900: "Saved with Bull Run water.---A pile of old lumber at the Pennoyer sawmill caught fire yesterday at 1:30 P. M., evidently from a lighted cigar stump, and an alarm was turned in from box 39, at Water and Harrison streets. The department threw a large amount of pure Bull Run on the flames and surrounding sawdust piles, thus saving the new elevated roadway under which the blaze started." (Morning Oregonian)