Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: SH-3
Corporate Name: A. B. Buckner
Local Name:
Owner Name: A. B. Buckner. Buckner & Potts
Location: Eight miles south of Center at Choice siding on the GC&SF Rwy, near Neuville
County: Shelby
Years in Operation: 3 years
Start Year: 1906
End Year: 1908
Decades: 1900-1909
Period of Operation: 1906 to 1908
Town: Choice siding
Company Town: 2
Peak Town Size: Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill: Lumber
Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill
Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper
Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown
Other
Power Source: 35-horsepower Garr-Scott engine
Horse Mule Oxen Water
Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown
Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band
Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity: 15000: 1906
Capacity Comments: Unknown
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Garr Scott sawmill #3256, with friction feed, a 54-inch circular saw, a 35-horsewpower engine and boiler and the sawmill with carriage.
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe intersect here
Historicial Development: A. B. Buckner's sawmill at Choice siding on the Santa Fe burned in late March 1906. Although the lumber was saved, the mill and its machinery were destroyed. Buckner had purchased the mill in January, two months earlier. Although he had no insurance, he intended to rebuild it. He then proceeded to wheel and deal. Between July and September 1906, Buckner bought on mortgage as follow: July 7 - a 35-horsepower Garr-Scott engine, one standard Garr Scott sawmill #3256, with friction feed, a 54-inch circular saw; August 7 - mortgaged for cash (?) from San Augustine Grocery Company “6 oxens & My entire stock lbr stack on lbr yd at my mill at Choice Texas, also 1 one portable boiler and engine, and one Garr-Scott sawmill; and on September 24 - for $1,300- his 35-horsewpower engine and boiler and the sawmill with carriage. Apparently, through multiple mortgages (it is not known if the previous mortgages were released), Buckner was attempting to obtain equipment and operational capital. He must have been able to resume business, for two years later, on April 8, 1908, he mortgaged for a Curtis straight edge, a Curtis saw swage, and a Curtis double-tooth sawmill dog. This may be the same Buckner who was a partner in two mills several miles away at Neuville.
Research Date: MCJ 02-29-96
Prepared By: M Johnson