SKELLEY LUMBER COMPANY
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Douglas County - Kelleher
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November 13, 1903: “The Kelleher-Skelley Lumber Company has just been incorporated here, by W. J. Kelleher, John K. Skelley and W. H. Sykes with a paid up capital of $50,000. The company has already acquired about 5000 acres of fine timber land on Billy Creek, a few miles west of Yoncalla, in this county.
A sawmill building has already been erected and part of the machinery is now in place. The plant will have a daily capacity of 50,000 feet of lumber to begin with, and will be ready for operation within 30 days. A flume will be put in from the mill to carry the product direct to the Southern Pacific railroad track at Drain, where a lumber yard will also be established.” (The Glendale News)
A sawmill building has already been erected and part of the machinery is now in place. The plant will have a daily capacity of 50,000 feet of lumber to begin with, and will be ready for operation within 30 days. A flume will be put in from the mill to carry the product direct to the Southern Pacific railroad track at Drain, where a lumber yard will also be established.” (The Glendale News)
January 5, 1904: “Wm. J. Kelleher was over from Kelleher City this morning. The machinery for the big sawmill of the Kelleher and Skelley Lumber Co. is now in place and the first saw will be started as soon as the engines are put into position, which it is expected will be done within a few days.” (Roseburg Review)
January 18, 1904: “W. J. Kelleher, of the Kelleher & Skelley Lumber Co., went to Portland Sunday on business.” (Roseburg Review)
January 23, 1904: “A. E. Shiria and Chas. McGee are spending a few days with their family at home. Things at Kelleher City where Mr. Shiria is building a fine sawmill for the Kelleher, Skelley Lumber Co. are progressing nicely.” (Roseburg Review)
January 23, 1904: “W. J. Kelleher and W. H. Sykes were over from Kelleher City this morning. The machinery for the new sawmill is now in place and only awaits the arrival of some belting and minor fixtures, which have been delayed, to start the sas to humming.” (Roseburg Review)
February 10, 1904: “The first blast of the steam whistle of the sawmill was heard last Wednesday and its loud, piercing notes woke up the natives for miles around.
The first lumber cut at the mill will be used for flooring and the completion of the second story of that structure, and then work will follow on timbers and planking for the six mile flume to Drain. About 1,000,000 feet of lumber will be used in building the flume, but as timber is near at hand, and the mill will cut over 50,000 feet per day, the flume is not such a very gigantic proposition after all. All the workmen who can be profitably utilized will be employed and work will be pushed from the start. Then will come the planing mill, and the putting in of the other machinery at Drain, work upon which will be commenced as soon as lumber can be gotten there.” (Roseburg Review)
The first lumber cut at the mill will be used for flooring and the completion of the second story of that structure, and then work will follow on timbers and planking for the six mile flume to Drain. About 1,000,000 feet of lumber will be used in building the flume, but as timber is near at hand, and the mill will cut over 50,000 feet per day, the flume is not such a very gigantic proposition after all. All the workmen who can be profitably utilized will be employed and work will be pushed from the start. Then will come the planing mill, and the putting in of the other machinery at Drain, work upon which will be commenced as soon as lumber can be gotten there.” (Roseburg Review)
February 10, 1904: “Tim Cowan, of Drain, has become mill blacksmith, and will permanently remain with us.
Workmen are now engaged in cutting saw logs. They are turning out some fine timber.
Superintendent Shiria has returned from his visit home at Myrtle Creek, and is pushing work rapidly. He states that the mill will be cutting lumber this week.
The last finishing touches have been put to the mill dam and that structure appears to be as solid as the rock of Gibraltar.” (Roseburg Review)
Workmen are now engaged in cutting saw logs. They are turning out some fine timber.
Superintendent Shiria has returned from his visit home at Myrtle Creek, and is pushing work rapidly. He states that the mill will be cutting lumber this week.
The last finishing touches have been put to the mill dam and that structure appears to be as solid as the rock of Gibraltar.” (Roseburg Review)
February 12, 1904: “W. J. Kelleher was over from Kelleter City today. The big sawmill will begin cutting lumber the coming week. This has been delayed on account of some belting lacking which has just arrived.” (Roseburg Review)
February 23, 1904: “W. J. Kelleher and W. H. Sykes, of the Kelleher & Skelley Lumber Co., were in town today from Kelleher City. They report the new sawmill ready to begin cutting lumber at once. The machinery has been started and everything worked fine. Washington's birthday was observed by unfurling a U. S. flag on top of the new mill and all hands were given a holiday. Bad weather has retarded operations but everything will move steadily from now on.” (Roseburg Review)
February 29, 1904: “W. H. Sykes and W. J. Kelleher were in Roseburg Wednesday. Their new sawmill is ready now to begin cutting lumber.” (Roseburg Review)
March 24, 1904: “The second story of the mill is completed and the machinery is all under roof. As with the rest of the structure, the work has been well done, and is of a substantial character. The edger, after many difficulties, has been brought in and is being put into the mill.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
March 24, 1904: “One of the workmen at the mill built a wheelbarrow the other day to wheel sawdust to the furnaces until the conveyors are put in place. It is a large unwieldy affair, and when no one was looking some one wrote the following on the back end of it--- 'Poor little saw cart, don't you cry. You'll be a box car by and by' “ (The Drain Nonpareil)
June 9, 1904: “The flume continues to lengthen out and is a mile away. As soon as completed lumber will float to Drain and building of the planing mills at that place will begin. The headquarters of the company will then be at Drain.”
“Four hundred feet of fire hose has been received, and will be attached to the tank, to contain 400 barrels of water on the hill. This tank will be kept filled by a steam pump in the mill and the hose will cover the entire building in case of fire.”
“Oscar Gustafson, head sawyer, will remove his family from Myrtle Creek to this place, and the lumber has been cut with which to build a new house for him. The house will be completed some time next week.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
“Four hundred feet of fire hose has been received, and will be attached to the tank, to contain 400 barrels of water on the hill. This tank will be kept filled by a steam pump in the mill and the hose will cover the entire building in case of fire.”
“Oscar Gustafson, head sawyer, will remove his family from Myrtle Creek to this place, and the lumber has been cut with which to build a new house for him. The house will be completed some time next week.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
June 23, 1904: “The Kelleher-Skelley Lumber Co. have about two miles of the lumber flume from Kelleher to Drain completed. They will build a dry kiln and planer here when the flume is completed.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
June 23, 1904: “Timbers 65 and 70 feet in length are used in building the bridges for the flumes crossing Billy Creek. Shorter timbers will not do owing to the light, sandy character of the banks of the stream.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
June 30, 1904: “A powerful steam pump to be used in the extinguishment of fires, abundantly supplied with the best of hose, is one of the latest additions to the mill. It was tested today, and threw two stout streams of water over the roof of a building from one end to the other. With the water casks, fire buckets, steam pump and large tank with hose to cover the mill completely, the structure, it would appear, is fully guarded against fire. But that is not surprising, as nothing is half way done about the Kelleher mill.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
July 14, 1904: “Work on the flume still progresses satisfactorily to all concerned. The survey for the builders has been completed to within a couple of miles of Drain.”
“The slab burner of the mill has been completed, and is a first class piece of workmanship. Work will soon commence on the large water tank which is to be built to furnish extra water in the event of fire.”
“Messrs. Fenn and Townsend have about completed the survey of the flume and are called to Roseburg on some work previously promised. The former gentleman states that when the flume reaches the top of the hill overlooking Drain from that time on until it arrives at it destination the fall will be 80 feet to the mile.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
“The slab burner of the mill has been completed, and is a first class piece of workmanship. Work will soon commence on the large water tank which is to be built to furnish extra water in the event of fire.”
“Messrs. Fenn and Townsend have about completed the survey of the flume and are called to Roseburg on some work previously promised. The former gentleman states that when the flume reaches the top of the hill overlooking Drain from that time on until it arrives at it destination the fall will be 80 feet to the mile.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
July 28, 1904: “Boards two inches thick and 30 feet in length are being placed over the dam and extending down stream to carry off any surplus water that may accumulate in the pond now or during the coming winter. The late continued dry spell demonstrated that the company will have all the water needed to run the mill the year round, and can increase the amount one-third the present volume if it is found necessary to do so.
Several hundred feet of 3-inch iron piping has been hauled in from the depot during the week. It will be used in connection with the large water tanks on the hill south of the mill. Work on the tanks is progressing satisfactorily.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
Several hundred feet of 3-inch iron piping has been hauled in from the depot during the week. It will be used in connection with the large water tanks on the hill south of the mill. Work on the tanks is progressing satisfactorily.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
August 4, 1904: “Considerable over one mile of the flume has been completed, and work will be more rapidly pushed now that the work is out of the heavy timber.”
“Water was pumped into one of the 7000 gallon tanks, Tuesday, and the other tank will be ready to be filled Thursday. With proper hose these tanks will completely cover the mill in case of fire with three powerful streams of water.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
“Water was pumped into one of the 7000 gallon tanks, Tuesday, and the other tank will be ready to be filled Thursday. With proper hose these tanks will completely cover the mill in case of fire with three powerful streams of water.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
August 11, 1904: “The second water tank has been completed and connected with the mill. This gives, together with its companion tank, about 15,000 gallons of water for immediate use in case of necessity.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
August 25, 1904: “A trip along the flume already constructed shows that the work done has stood the present hot weather admirably. There are no drawn nails, warped boards or widening seams. The work is well done.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
September 1, 1904: “Work still continues uninterruptedly at the mill. Carpenters are making additional improvements of value, teams are filling the pond with saw logs and the dam is being given a thorough overhauling and repair. It is the intention of the company to have everything in permanent, running order when business opens up in earnest, and to this end no effort is being spared.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
September 8, 1904: “The dam at the mill has been overhauled and completed, its height increased four feet. This increase in the holding capacity of the pond will give the mill an abundance of water for all purposes the year round.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
September 29, 1904: “Work still continues on the mill, about the dam, and in bridge and other building, preparatory to again starting up the mill. Kelleher will be a busy place the coming winter, but there is no use for men from the outside applying for work for a month yet, for when the mill starts up most of the old hands will be employed.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
November 10, 1904: “Workmen are putting trusses on all the bridges of the flume crossing Billy creek, to guard against high water during the winter.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
November 10, 1904: “Work on the dam has been completed and that structure is now fully prepared to resist the floods of winter.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
November 17, 1904: “In Roseburg last Wednesday evening there was held the annual meeting of the Kelleher & Skelley Lumber Co. The following officers and directors were chosen: John F. Skelley, McKeysport, Pa., president; Frank G. Minelli, Roseburg, first vice-president; Dr. T. L. White, McKeysport, Pa., second vice-president; W. H. Sykes, Kelleher Oregon, secretary and manager; T. R. Sheridan, Roseburg, treasurer.
Among other business transacted it was decided to file supplemental articles of incorporation, increasing the capital stock from $50,000, at present, to $150,000. The name of the company will also be changed to the Skelley Lumber Co., of Skelley, Oregon.
Mr. W. H. Sykes, the manager, returned last Saturday from a business trip to Pittsburg, McKeysport, Pa., and New York. Immediately on his return, work was resumed at the mill and on the lumber flume from there to Drain. This work will now be pushed right along to completion and the mill put into steady operation. President Skelley and Dr. White expect to come out from Pennsylvania in February and the latter will remain at the mill for an indefinite time assisting in the operation of this big enterprise, which is now on a firmer basis than ever before.---Review.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
Among other business transacted it was decided to file supplemental articles of incorporation, increasing the capital stock from $50,000, at present, to $150,000. The name of the company will also be changed to the Skelley Lumber Co., of Skelley, Oregon.
Mr. W. H. Sykes, the manager, returned last Saturday from a business trip to Pittsburg, McKeysport, Pa., and New York. Immediately on his return, work was resumed at the mill and on the lumber flume from there to Drain. This work will now be pushed right along to completion and the mill put into steady operation. President Skelley and Dr. White expect to come out from Pennsylvania in February and the latter will remain at the mill for an indefinite time assisting in the operation of this big enterprise, which is now on a firmer basis than ever before.---Review.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
November 17, 1904: “Work was resumed on the flume between the mill and Drain Monday with a large force of men, which will be considerably increased as rapidly as the men desired can be notified to come. This time the work will be energetically pushed until the flume is completed. A portable eating and bunk house will accompany the crew.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
November 17, 1904: “In a few days work will be commenced upon a new boarding and lodging house for the employes of the company. The lodging part will be cut up into rooms so that each man will have a room to himself, supplied with bedding maintained by the company.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
December 8, 1904: “Since work on the flume has been resumed, about 2,000 feet of new work has been completed and there is that number of feet of new flume.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
December 8, 1904: “During the last two or three days run of the mill several thousand feet of extra clear lumber has been cut and piled for future use. It is of too fine a quality to be used in flume building, and is worth $28 per M. Chas. S. Fegles is now a permanent employe of the company.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
December 15, 1904: “Work on the flume is being pushed right along, and the mill is run twice a week to supply lumber for the work.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
December 29, 1904: “Operations at the Kelleter mill and on the flume was suspended during the holiday week, but will be resumed next Monday.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
January 12, 1905: “Work on the flume from Kelleher to Drain is being pushed rapidly to the front, about 15,000 feet of lumber being used daily in its construction.” (The Drain Nonpareil)
November 3, 1909: “G. W. Peck has filed a suit in the circuit court against the Skelly Lumber Company through his attorney Albert Abraham. Among the allegations in the complaint the plaintiff alleges that he loaned the defendant the sum of $1,389.30, taking a promisory note as security. He claims that the defendants have failed to pay the note and he therefore asks that the court grant judgment in the full sum alleged together with $7.00, the amount expended as a protest fee.” (The News-Review)
November 15, 1909: “A. R. Marker went to Drain this morning to serve an attachment on the Skelly Lumber Company in the sum of $1300. The attachment is the outcome of a suit recently filed in the circuit court.” (The News-Review)
November 24, 1909: “It is reported that a large tree was blown across the flume of the Skelly Lumber Co., near the farm of Lee Allen in Hayhurst, and that damage to the amount of $200 was wrought.” (The News-Review)
December 20, 1909: “George Melton, of Drain, manager of the Skelly Lumber Company, is in the city (Roseburg) today attending various business matters.” (The News-Review)
January 10. 1910: “No. 423. W. T. O'Brien plff vs Skelley Lumber Co. et al defts: action for money: Wm. AQ. Munly for plff; John T. Long and Chas. L. Hamilton for defts.” (The News-Review)
January 20, 1910: “The case of G. W. Peek vs. The Skelly Lumber Company came to a sudden end in the circuit court late yesterday afternoon, when Presiding Judge J. W. Hamilton directed a verdict in favor of the defendants. The action was brought by the plaintiff to recover the sum of $1,385 alleged to be due on account.” (The News-Review)
January 29, 1910: “We understand that Messrs. Wheldon and King have a force of men at work repairing the flume and telephone line belonging to the Skelly Lumber Company. It is reported that work will begin on the railroad in the spring.” (The News-Review)
February 24, 1910: “George A. Weldon, secretary and manager of the Skelley Lumber Co., of Drain, was in town today to attend a meeting of the directors.” (The News-Review)
May 16, 1910: “Notice of appeal has been filed at the county clerk's office in the case of C. W. Peek vs The Skelly Lumber Company. The case was recently tried in the circuit court of Douglas County, resulting in a victory for the defendants.” (The News-Review)
June 25, 1910: “George Meldon, of the Skelly Lumber Company, is spending the day in town looking after business matters connected with his official duties. He reports Drain and vicinity very prosperous.” (The News-Review)
August 31, 1910: “Manager Sykes, of the Skelly Lumber Company, returned to his home at Drain this morning after a couple of days spent in this city looking after business interests.” (The News-Review)
October 7, 1910: “543. The Greater City Lumber Co., plaintiff vs Skelley Lumber Co., defendant; action for money. Fullerton & Orcutt for plaintiff . Coshow & Rice for defendant. Settled and dismissed.” (The News-Review)
October 7, 1910: “547. E. V. Hoover, plaintiff vs Skelly Lumber Co., et al, defendants; action for money. C. L. Hamilton, for plaintiff; Frank G. Micelli for defendant. Continued.” (The News-Review)
February 28, 1911: “The Drain State Bank this morning filed suit in the circuit court against the Skelly Lumber Company, in which they ask to recover the sum of $2,110.85, alleged to be due on a promissory note. Aside from the principal the plaintiffs ask interest at the rate of eight per cent from the date of execution of the note. Attorneys Fullerton & Orcutt represent the plaintiffs.” (The News-Review)
March 1, 1911: “Sheriff George Quine went to Drain this afternoon to serve papers in the case of the Drain Bank vs The Skelly Lumber Company.” (The News-Review)
March 15, 1911: “James E. White, of the Skelley Lumber Company, with headquarters at Seattle, Wash., arrived here this morning to spend a couple of days looking after various business interests.” (The News-Review)
March 23, 1911: “From George Andrews, 'Mayor' of Skelley, we are informed that Seattle capitalists have purchased the Skelley mill and will put the same in operation during the early summer.” (The News-Review)
March 27, 1911: “The Skelley Lumber Company, who have operated in Douglas county for several years, this morning leased their holdings, comprising a saw mill and about 65,000,000 feet of timber, to J. R. Elliott, of Portland. Mr. Elliott takes possession of the holdings on April 1, and expects to have the mill in operation not later than May 1. It is said that Mr. Elliott is an experienced lumberman, and that he will employ a large force of men as soon as the mill can be placed in readiness for operation. The deal was consummated through the Skelly Lumber Company's attorney, F. G. Micelli.” (The News-Review)
March 27, 1911: “George Meldon, of Drain, arrived in the city this morning to spend a couple of days looking after business matters. Mr. Meldon is connected with the Skelly Lumber Company.” (The News-Review)
March 30, 1911: "The Skelley Lumber Company, operating in Northern Douglas County, today leased its sawmill and 60,000,000 feet of standing timber, to J. R. Elliott, of Portland. Mr. Elliott will assume control of the enterprise April 1 and expects to have the mill in operation not later than May 1. He contemplates employing a large force of men." (Morning Oregonian)
April 1, 1911: “A force of men arrived at Skelley last Wednesday, and we hope to be able to report soon that the Skelley saw mill is in operation.” (The News-Review)
April 3, 1911: “A force of men is now at work fitting up the dwelling houses at Skelley and putting the mill in repair preparatory to putting the same in operation within a few days. It is expected that the houses at Skelley will all be occupied within a short time and that the shrill whistle so long silent will once more waft its progressive shrieks upon the somber silence of the jungles.
The starting of the Skelley mill will indeed be a boon to those in that section who are forced to earn their bread by toil, to say nothing of the benefit to be derived by others. The company operating the mill will maintain a general store at Skelley and it is quite probable that the mail route, recently discontinued between Yoncalla and Skelley, will be once more established.” (The News-Review)
The starting of the Skelley mill will indeed be a boon to those in that section who are forced to earn their bread by toil, to say nothing of the benefit to be derived by others. The company operating the mill will maintain a general store at Skelley and it is quite probable that the mail route, recently discontinued between Yoncalla and Skelley, will be once more established.” (The News-Review)
May 13, 1911: “669. Drain State Bank, a corporation, plff., vs. Skelley Lumber Company, a corporation, defendant. Action for money's. Fullerton & Orcutt for plff.; Frank G. Micelli for deft.; dismissed.” (The News-Review)
July 19, 1911: “Skelley mill has closed indefinitely.” (The News-Review)
August 2, 1911: “According to telegraph dispatches received here today the case of G. W. Peek vs. The Skelley Lumber Company, appealed from the circuit court for Douglas county, has been reversed in the supreme court. G. W. Peek, the plaintiff, first filed the suit on February 10, 1909, and among other things asked to recover the sum of $1,389, alleged to be due on a promissory note signed by Mr. Skelley, then president of the Skelley Lumber Company. The case came up for trial in the circuit court for Douglas county in January, and in accordance with the ruling of the presiding judge, J. W. Hamilton, a directed verdict was returned in favor of the defendant. The case was appealed to the supreme court by Mr. Peek with the results that the verdict of the lower court was reversed. The defense contended that Mr. Skelly had no right to sign the note in question for the reason that in so doing he was exceeding his authority. It was also further alleged that in signing the note, Mr. Skelly acted personally, and did not have the sanction of the board of directors. Mr. Peek was represented by Attorney Albert Abraham, while the Skelly Lumber Company was represented by Attorneys Micelli and Long.” (The News-Review)
August 31, 1911: “In the case of G. W. Peek vs. The Skelly Lumber Company, appealed to the supreme court from Douglas county, the decision of the lower court has been reversed and the case remanded back for trial. The appellant is allowed $93, the costs incurred in bringing about the appeal.” (The News-Review)
October 25, 1923: “Several out of town parties have been looking over the Skelley Lumber company's holdings relative to the coming sale of the company's large properties.” (The Drain Enterprise)
November 22, 1923: “Ernie Whipple accompanied by the two Becker brothers, of Philadelphia, who recently came into possession of the Skelley Lumber company holdings, motored to Portland today.” (The Drain Enterprise)
December 6, 1923: “Several parties have been in town recently looking over the former holdings of the Skelley Lumber company.” (The Drain Enterprise)
December 20, 1923: “J. J. Chambers of Cottage Grove was in town today looking over the Skelley property.” (The Drain Enterprise)
January 10, 1924: “One of the biggest deals that has been consummated in this part of the county in a long time was closed Monday when J. H. Chambers, well known mill man of Cottage Grove, took over the holdings of the Skelley Lumber Company in South Drain. Mr. Chambers has been working on the deal for some time past, and when interviewed by the editor of the Enterprise today confirmed the report of the deal.
The purchase of the Skelley properties was made from Frank Becker, capitalist, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, who held the mortgage on the property, and with E. G. Whipple, local lumberman, acting with the principals.
According to the information received by the Enterprise. Mr. Chambers proposes to construct at some point in South Drain a mill of at least 75,000 feet daily capacity, and to build a railroad about five miles long from the mill into the timber. About 150 men will be employed at first. Work on the new project will commence in the early spring.
The Skelley holdings in South Drain includes a mill site of 11 acres. The Skelley people, a foreign corporation, discontinued operations here about 15 years ago, and the property was mortgaged to eastern capitalists. It is estimated that there is not less than a half billion feet of timber in the block that will be reached by the logging railroad.” (The Drain Enterprise)
The purchase of the Skelley properties was made from Frank Becker, capitalist, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, who held the mortgage on the property, and with E. G. Whipple, local lumberman, acting with the principals.
According to the information received by the Enterprise. Mr. Chambers proposes to construct at some point in South Drain a mill of at least 75,000 feet daily capacity, and to build a railroad about five miles long from the mill into the timber. About 150 men will be employed at first. Work on the new project will commence in the early spring.
The Skelley holdings in South Drain includes a mill site of 11 acres. The Skelley people, a foreign corporation, discontinued operations here about 15 years ago, and the property was mortgaged to eastern capitalists. It is estimated that there is not less than a half billion feet of timber in the block that will be reached by the logging railroad.” (The Drain Enterprise)