POTTS SAWMILL
Near Paisley > Thompson Valley
June 4, 1914: "That which proved a most frightful accident occurred at the C. E. Potts sawmill near Paisley last Thursday when Thomas H. Hollis, a young man about 23 years of age was seriously mangled by the saw causing injuries which resulted in his death about an hour after the accident. He was working at the carriage when he fell on the huge saw. Both legs were severed diagonally, one at the knee point and the other between the knee and thigh.
He was given all care available but was unable to endure the terrible suffering. Coroner Wallace of this place was summoned and he with George Hankins made the trip to the mill. The young man had a homestead at Conley in the northern part of the county and the remains were taken to Fort Rock cemetery for burial. It is stated that he had no relatives west of the Rocky Mountains, but that two brothers of Columbus, Ohio are left to survive him." (Lake County Examiner)
He was given all care available but was unable to endure the terrible suffering. Coroner Wallace of this place was summoned and he with George Hankins made the trip to the mill. The young man had a homestead at Conley in the northern part of the county and the remains were taken to Fort Rock cemetery for burial. It is stated that he had no relatives west of the Rocky Mountains, but that two brothers of Columbus, Ohio are left to survive him." (Lake County Examiner)
September 29, 1916: "The Potts sawmill, located near Paisley, burned down last Monday morning. Information as to the cause of the fire and the extent of the loss have not been received at this office." (Silver Lake Leader)
September 1, 1921: “Charley Potts was up from Summer Lake the last of the week and it is understood he secured a contract for cutting the lumber for the dam at Thompson valley.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
September 8, 1921: “Charley Potts, who has the contract for sawing the lumber for the Thompson valley dam, has been busy the past week hauling in the machinery to the site. On Wednesday he took the boiler and a crew of men with him to the location, and will install the machinery and begin operations. J. N. Masten, of La Pine was reported to have had this contract, but it seems he and the contractor failed to agree on prices.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
September 15, 1921: “Mr. and Mrs. Will Turner left Saturday for the Chas. Potts sawmill where they will look after the appetites of the lumber jacks. Mr. Potts expected to begin sawing lumber the first of this week.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
February 23, 1922: “Chas. Potts Saturday finished cutting the lumber for the dam at Camp one. Teams are busy hauling the lumber to the dam site.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
March 23, 1922: “Charley Potts returned from Summer Lake the latter part of last week where he closed a contract with the Summer Lake Irrigation District to cut 500,000 feet of lumber which will be used in the construction of the dam, flumes, etc. He has bought timber for this contract on the Hunter place, a short distance below the John Foster ranch.. He expects to move his mill from here about May 1st, or just as soon as he finishes sawing his orders at Thompson Valley. He has considerable lumber on hand which he is now offering for sale.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
May 10, 1923: “Chas. Potts passed through here Monday on his way to La Pine, taking a load of his sawmill machinery. He intends to install a mill there at once.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)