Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key:	SH-243
Corporate Name:	Timpson Handle Company
Local Name:
Owner Name:	Timpson Handle Company with H. R. Fory and J. L. Bussey
Location:	Unknown
County:	Shelby
Years in Operation:	13 years
Start Year:	1900
End Year:	1912
Decades:	1900-1909,1910-1919
Period of Operation:	About 1900 to 1912
Town:	Timpson
Company Town:	2
Peak Town Size:	978 in 1905
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill:	Handles, cant hooks, axes, picks, sledges, hatchets, hammers and mining tools Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown Other
Power Source:	Unknown Horse Mule Oxen Water Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity:
Capacity Comments:	3,600 handles daily
Produced:	Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board Treated Other
Equipment:	Small sawmill, planing mill, and handle factory
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads:	Unknown
Historicial Development:	H. R. Fory with J. B. Bussey bought the Timpson Handle Company in 1906 and completely rebuilt the gasoline-powered plant that fall. Employing thirty-five men and boys in the plant and others in hauling and logging, Fory and Bussey could produce out 3,600 handles daily. The Southern Industrial and Lumber Review reported that “The Timpson Handle Co of Timpson, Tx has recently filed an amendment to its charter increasing the ability of the concern to purchase additional machinery, and increase the output of their plant. This is a concern that started a few years ago on a very small scale, and began making implement handles, principally handles for axes, canthooks and other mill tools. . . . At the present time the plant at Timpson is running night and day. They are shipping handles in every direction, many going down into Mexico.” The plant burned in 1912 and was not rebuilt.
Research Date:	MCJ 03-02-96
Prepared By:	M. Johnson