Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: SH-140
Corporate Name: James Booker Ross
Local Name:
Owner Name: James Booker Ross
Location: Four miles east of Shelbyville
County: Shelby
Years in Operation: 6 years
Start Year: 1905
End Year: 1910
Decades: 1900-1909
Period of Operation: From 1905 to at least 1910
Town: East of Shelbyville
Company Town: 2
Peak Town Size: Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill: Rough and finished lumber
Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill
Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper
Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown
Other
Power Source: Ames boiler, 10-inch by 12-inch steam engine
Horse Mule Oxen Water
Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown
Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band
Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity: 
Capacity Comments: Unknown
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Dixie righthand standard-feed sawmill; double surfacing and matching heavy-duty Economist wood planer and matcher, 52-inch circular saw, etc.
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: Gulf, Beaumont & Santa Fe
Historicial Development: James Booker Ross was a lumber manufacturer and dealer in the Center area for some years after the turn of the century. He held an interest in a sawmill with J. B. Cain about six miles north of Center, possibly on Flat Fork or Smith Creek in 1906 at least. In 1905, he was in operation for himself east of Shelbyville. That year he mortgaged to J. W. Bird, a sawmill owner in Center, a boiler from the Pigg and Fowler sawmill, a steam engine, a Dixie right-hand standard feed sawmill, Dixie head blocks, a cutoff saw, and a 52” circular saw. He mortgaged to Dilley & Son a double surfacing and matching heavy-duty Economist wood planer and matcher with all cutting heads. On July 10, 1907, he mortgaged to First National Bank of Center half a million feet of dry lumber at his mill, and his entire plant and machinery, buildings, and equipment. In 1910, Ross mortgaged to O. L. McKnight 75,000 feet of lumber at his mill and his entire output of ties and lumber.
Research Date: MCJ 03-01-96
Prepared By: M Johnson