MODOC LUMBER COMPANY (MILL)
Chiloquin (Pine Ridge)
Continued from: Mutual Milling Lumber Company
July 1917: "Modoc Lumber Co., of Chiloquin, Klamath County, will cut about six to seven million feet this fall. The cut has been contracted to the Klamath Manufacturing Co. of Klamath Falls. Since the new company assumed charge a new boiler and engine have been installed and other improvements added." (The Timberman, Vol. 17)
January 1918: "Modoc Lumber Co., at Chiloquin, expects to operate all winter. A new spur has been constructed to connect the mill with the S.P. track." & "Lee Denton, Chiloquin, is logging for the Modoc Lumber Co. He uses sleighs in the winter and trucks in the summer." (The Timberman, Vol. 19)
February 16, 1918: "Harold Crane, formerly of the Indian forest service, has been operating a logging camp near Silver's resort all winter, with a crew of twenty-five men. He has about 1,000,000 feet of logs decked and which he is now hauling to the Williamson River for delivery to the Modoc Lumber company." (The Evening Herald)
March 1918: "J.O. Goldthwaite, president of the Modoc Lumber Co., Chiloquin, Ore. His company has been able to keep sawing steadily all winter, although the problem of the log supply for the winter's run was a serious one this season on account of the exceptionally light fall of snow. The company had two or three million feet of logs banked in the woods since last fall and not until the middle of February was there sufficient to move them. During the day the weather was so mild and warm that hauling with sleds was out of the question. At night, however, the temperature dropped enough to freeze the roads. Mr. Goldthwaite was quick to see that the logs must come, and come quickly, or be left in the woods until the ground was firm enough for big wheels. Gathering together nearly every available gasoline lantern in Southern Oregon and Northern California he illuminated all out-of-doors and put his crews at work at five o'clock in the afternoon and kept loading and hauling until daylight. With eight sleds and a crew of 22 men he succeeded in moving 1,800,000 feet of logs in nine days. The distance from the loading point to the mill was five-eighths of a mile. At night Mr. Goldthwaite stated that his sleds could easily haul 6500 feet per load, and during the day when the roads softened the best possible load did not exceed 2500 feet." (The Timberman, Vol. 19)
April 2, 1918: "A.W. Schulz, a sawyer at the Modoc Lumber company's plant, is in the hospital with a sprained knee. Mr. Shulz was stepping down from the carrier Saturday afternoon when he hit his knee on a bolt, resulting in the injury. He was brought to town by F.D. Andrews. Dr. Warren Hunt is attending the case." (The Evening Herald)
April 18, 1918: "In about three weeks it is expected that two and a half miles of new railroad at the Modoc Lumber company plant will be ready for use. The new road will be a continuation of the Southern Pacific spur, and will extend across the new bridge over the Williamson River into the woods.
Jack Goldwaite, president of the company, who has just returned from San Francisco, says that the cars and locomotives are on the way here. The company expects to have 24 or 25 logging trucks, and to get out between 100,000 and 125,000 feet of lumber a day.
The new bridge, which is almost completed, has been under the superintendency of R.E. Hutchinson. It is for the purpose of getting the locomotive across the river, and will be bigger than the one at Chiloquin. It will be a public bridge, and will have a capacity of forty tons." (The Evening Herald)
Jack Goldwaite, president of the company, who has just returned from San Francisco, says that the cars and locomotives are on the way here. The company expects to have 24 or 25 logging trucks, and to get out between 100,000 and 125,000 feet of lumber a day.
The new bridge, which is almost completed, has been under the superintendency of R.E. Hutchinson. It is for the purpose of getting the locomotive across the river, and will be bigger than the one at Chiloquin. It will be a public bridge, and will have a capacity of forty tons." (The Evening Herald)
May 20, 1918: "A most remarkable transformation from an old, dilapidated saw mill on the banks of the Williamson River, a short distance above Chiloquin, on the Klamath Reservation, has been wrought under the management of J.O. Goldthwaite. Where a few months ago the desolate mill structure flapped in the wind, there has sprung into existence an entire village on both sides of the beautiful stream, which is now crossed by a bridge at this point.
The mill itself has been almost entirely rebuilt, and approximately fifty workmen's houses have been constructed adjacent, among the trees. A large yard of sawed lumber greets the eye of the visitor on his approach, and logs are seen being brought in from every direction. A new logging engine has been secured very recently, and will be pit into operation in a short time. The plant is running now at its full capacity of 100,000 feet daily, with a double shift. More than 100 men are now employed by this concern." (The Evening Herald)
The mill itself has been almost entirely rebuilt, and approximately fifty workmen's houses have been constructed adjacent, among the trees. A large yard of sawed lumber greets the eye of the visitor on his approach, and logs are seen being brought in from every direction. A new logging engine has been secured very recently, and will be pit into operation in a short time. The plant is running now at its full capacity of 100,000 feet daily, with a double shift. More than 100 men are now employed by this concern." (The Evening Herald)
June 26, 1918: "A very successful and pleasant social was given at the Modoc Lumber company plant last Saturday, in honor of the boys whom Uncle Sam has called to the colors." (The Evening Herald)
July 20, 1918: "Fred Mullenax has the misfortune to break his are while loading logs for the Modoc Lumber company at Pine Ridge." (The Evening Herald)
August 3, 1918: "The disappearance of Lew Barr, owner of the general store at the plant of the Modoc Lumber company at Chiloquin, 32 miles north of this city, on July 9, is puzzling local officers and his friends. Strenuous efforts are being made to locate him.
Barr, who opened his place of business the first of June at Chiloquin, left for Klamath Falls to purchase supplies. He expected to return the next day.
It is learned that on July 9 he had missed his train and would be home the next day, July 10. This is the last heard from him. His finances were found to be in the best of shape.
Barr has worked in the mills here for several years and was well and favorably known." (The Oregon Daily Journal)
Barr, who opened his place of business the first of June at Chiloquin, left for Klamath Falls to purchase supplies. He expected to return the next day.
It is learned that on July 9 he had missed his train and would be home the next day, July 10. This is the last heard from him. His finances were found to be in the best of shape.
Barr has worked in the mills here for several years and was well and favorably known." (The Oregon Daily Journal)
August 20, 1918: "For a good time attend the dance at the Modoc Lumber company plant next Saturday night. Four comforts will be raffled off at that time, and all proceeds will be given to the Red Cross. Dance tickets, 50 cents; chances on comforts, 25 cents." (The Evening Herald)
October 25, 1918: "Michael O'Grady, a lumber employee of the Modoc Lumber Company of Chiloquin, passed to his last rest at three o'clock here at the Isolation Hospital yesterday afternoon, following an attack of the Spanish Influenza with which he was attacked on October 20th.
The deceased was thirty eight years of age and is without any known relatives. He came to this country from Ireland twenty six years ago. The funeral arrangements have not been announced." (The Evening Herald)
The deceased was thirty eight years of age and is without any known relatives. He came to this country from Ireland twenty six years ago. The funeral arrangements have not been announced." (The Evening Herald)
October 26, 1918: "Preparations for entering on its second winter's sawing are now being made by the Modoc Lumber Co. at Pine Ridge above Chiloquin on the Klamath Indian Reservation. This company, which is the only one in Klamath County and, it fact, in southern Oregon to operate the year round, has experienced a very successful year and will have cut almost 50,000,000 feet of lumber. About 132 men are employed in the woods and at the mill. J.O. Goldthwaite is president of the company.
The Modoc Lumber Co. recently reported a total of $13,100 for the fourth Liberty loan subscriptions, which helped the county's total substantially. This amount was raised by 119 employees of the firm and means an average pledge of $91. All but thirteen employees made pledges." (American Lumberman)
The Modoc Lumber Co. recently reported a total of $13,100 for the fourth Liberty loan subscriptions, which helped the county's total substantially. This amount was raised by 119 employees of the firm and means an average pledge of $91. All but thirteen employees made pledges." (American Lumberman)
November 1918: "The Modoc Lumber Co. at Chiloquin is the only mill in Klamath County which will operate all winter, and it will now start its second season." (The Timberman, Vol. 20)
January 17, 1919: “F. D. Andrews is in Klamath Falls for a short time from the Modoc Lumber Company at Chiloquin.” (The Weekly Klamath Record)
January 31, 1919: "J. O. Goldthwaite, head of the Modoc Mills at Chiloquin, was down from the mill this week to meet some of his friends and business associates from San Francisco and Portland." (The Klamath Record)
February 5, 1919: "Both the Williamson and Sprague Rivers on the Klamath Reservation are now open to logging according to report and the Modoc Lumber Company is getting logs into the water. With the ordinary amount of snowfall in this district the conditions would be ideal for logging now, but the lack of this, handicaps the work to a serious extent." (The Evening Herald)
March 6, 1919: "Jim Shimmar, who has been wanted on a statutory charge by the authorities of Siskiyou county for some time and who was located at the Modoc Lumber Company at Chiloquin was arrested there Tuesday by Sheriff George Humphrey and Sheriff Calkins of Siskiyou and brought to this city. He was held here Tuesday night and taken to California yesterday morning by the Siskiyou official." (The Evening Herald)
April 1919: "E.F. Elfendahl, formerly manager of the Lemoine Lumber & Trading Co., is now with the Modoc Lumber Co. at Chiloquin, Ore." (The Timberman, Vol. 20)
June 1919: "Modoc Lumber Co. cut 21 million feet in 1918 and will try for 25 million this season. A lath mill is being added and a planing mill will be in operation by August. The company is contemplating building a new sawmill. The frame will be built for a double mill. The equipment will consist of two 9-foot mills and a resaw. The mill will be completed this fall and winter. Manager J.O. Goldthwaite says the company is finding plenty of business in Kansas City and Chicago territory for its uppers, while the local box trade takes the box grades as fast as they can be produced. The mill is a circular with a Wilkins gang. The company operates 3 1/2 miles of logging railroad and is building 1 1/2 miles of new line. Wilbur W. Hill is woods foreman. E.W. Elfendahl is general superintendent. He joined the company early this year. For many years he was in charge of the LaMoine Lumber & Trading Co.'s operations and is a good lumberman. Dee Alexander, formerly with the Bridal Veil Lumbering Co., is the filer." (The Timberman, Vol. 20)
December 3, 1919: "A bill of sale from the Modoc Lumber company, covering 628, 430 feet of lumber in piles at the Modoc company's yard at Chiloquin, has been filed with the county clerk. The price stated is $12,568." (The Evening Herald)
December 20, 1919: "The suit of Martin Martinson against the Modoc Lumber Co. to collect wages has been dismissed. Settlement was reached out of court by defendant's payment to Plaintiff of $90, the approximate amount sued for." (The Evening Herald)
March 16, 1920: "The Modoc Lumber company is shut down for alterations on the power plant. When the mill starts it is planned to work two shifts part of the season and the output will be increased materially over last year." (The Evening Herald)
April 29, 1920: "The Modoc Lumber company is rushing work on 20 new bungalows at Chiloquin for the housing of their employees. The mill is operating under both day and night shifts now and the additional men employed made it necessary to look at once to the housing of themselves and their families." (The Evening Herald)
June 21, 1920: "J.S. Spriggs, an employee of the Modoc Lumber company, is in the Warren Hunt hospital as the result of an accident which occurred yesterday. Spriggs was helping load a car of lumber, when the car overturned, some of the lumber falling on him. In his hand was a lighted Carborite lamp and this was pressed against his leg, severely burning it." (The Evening Herald)
July 7, 1920: "George Hartley has begun suit against the Modoc Lumber company for $300, value of a logging truck, which he alleges defendants have and are using and of which now claims ownership. He asserts that defendants refuse to compensate him for the use of the truck." (The Evening Herald)
December 1, 1920: "Sheriff George Humphrey made a clever catch yesterday when he arrested James Page charged with assaulting Oscar Hanan with a Picaroon last Saturday at the Modoc Lumber Company's mill. Hanan is at present in a local hospital and is recovering from the attack.
Page states that he was afraid that Hanan was going to strike him and that Hanan was a much bigger man than himself he took first means of avoiding a beating from Hanan and struck him with the picaroon.
Page made his get-away and the sheriff's office was notified. Yesterday morning Sheriff Humphrey went to the depot to watch for Page and noticed the latter's wife purchasing two tickets for San Francisco. He got on the train with her, believing that his man would get on the train later. True to the sheriff's hunch Page boarded the train at Midland and immediately sought his wife who was riding in the day coach. Sheriff Humphrey, who had never before seen the man, immediately placed him under arrest, and brought him back from Midland by an auto. Page told his wife to go on to San Francisco and wait for him as he believed he would have no difficulty in getting his liberty as he had witnesses who could testify that he has acted in self defense." (The Evening Herald)
Page states that he was afraid that Hanan was going to strike him and that Hanan was a much bigger man than himself he took first means of avoiding a beating from Hanan and struck him with the picaroon.
Page made his get-away and the sheriff's office was notified. Yesterday morning Sheriff Humphrey went to the depot to watch for Page and noticed the latter's wife purchasing two tickets for San Francisco. He got on the train with her, believing that his man would get on the train later. True to the sheriff's hunch Page boarded the train at Midland and immediately sought his wife who was riding in the day coach. Sheriff Humphrey, who had never before seen the man, immediately placed him under arrest, and brought him back from Midland by an auto. Page told his wife to go on to San Francisco and wait for him as he believed he would have no difficulty in getting his liberty as he had witnesses who could testify that he has acted in self defense." (The Evening Herald)
January 12, 1921: "The Modoc Lumber company of Chiloquin, of which J.C. Goldthwaite is manager, plans installation of a mill with an annual capacity of 50,000,000 feet this summer if the lumber demand revives. The present plant, which will continue to operate when the new one is built, has a yearly capacity of 34,000,000 feet.
The Modoc company recently purchased 600,000,000 feet of Indian timber on the Klamath reservation, adjoining 250,000,000 feet already owned, and are now building 21 miles of logging road to connect the tract with the mill.
A power plant will furnish electricity to replace the present steam motive power for the entire plant. Work on the first unit of the power plant is under way." (Morning Oregonian)
The Modoc company recently purchased 600,000,000 feet of Indian timber on the Klamath reservation, adjoining 250,000,000 feet already owned, and are now building 21 miles of logging road to connect the tract with the mill.
A power plant will furnish electricity to replace the present steam motive power for the entire plant. Work on the first unit of the power plant is under way." (Morning Oregonian)
March 30, 1921: "Asking that the Southern Pacific company be required to provide better station and other facilities at Chiloquin, the Modoc Lumber company has filed with the public service commission a complaint against the road." (The Oregon Statesman)
February 6, 1922: "Immediate resumption of operations of the Modoc Lumber company sawmills at Chiloquin, with a 14-mile extension of the logging road, is announced by the president of the company." (The Oregon Daily Journal)
May 2, 1922: "Discussing the rejection of the eight-hour day, J. Goldthwaite, manager and owner of the Modoc Lumber company of Chiloquin, Klamath county, said:
'The Modoc company, which has been closed down for some time, will operate like the other companies if the labor problem is straightened out. We will operate on a ten-hour basis as we always have done in the past. The Modoc has been refinanced and if we get started by June 1 we hope to cut 35,000,000 or 40,000,000 feet this year.'
The operators are considering today ways and means of putting the nine-hour day into effect." (Morning Oregonian)
'The Modoc company, which has been closed down for some time, will operate like the other companies if the labor problem is straightened out. We will operate on a ten-hour basis as we always have done in the past. The Modoc has been refinanced and if we get started by June 1 we hope to cut 35,000,000 or 40,000,000 feet this year.'
The operators are considering today ways and means of putting the nine-hour day into effect." (Morning Oregonian)
December 5, 1922: "Operations will continue all winter at the sawmill of the Modoc Lumber company at Pine Ridge, near Chiloquin, according to L.K. Porter, who returned from there today. Porter is erecting for the company a new dry kiln having tiled walls and concrete roof. He is employing 40 men and expects to complete the work by Christmas if the weather is favorable." (The Evening Herald)
December 20, 1924: "Plans for re-opening the Modoc Lumber company's mill at Aspgrove, near Klamath Falls, in March or April, were announced here (Portland) today by V.D.C. Beach, of the L.B. Menefee Lumber company, which will operate the Modoc company property. Improvements in the lumber market has encouraged the company to resume operation of the mill which has been shut down for a year, said Mr. Beach.
Some alterations and repairs will be made, but no new construction immediately is planned, said Beach. A lumber dry shed may be built next summer to be ready for use in the fall.
The mill cuts between 100,000 and 120,000 feet of lumber in ten hours, and when it is reopened 250 men will be employed, according to present plans, said Mr. Beach. If the lumber market continues to improve, he added, a double shift may be put on." (The Evening Herald)
Some alterations and repairs will be made, but no new construction immediately is planned, said Beach. A lumber dry shed may be built next summer to be ready for use in the fall.
The mill cuts between 100,000 and 120,000 feet of lumber in ten hours, and when it is reopened 250 men will be employed, according to present plans, said Mr. Beach. If the lumber market continues to improve, he added, a double shift may be put on." (The Evening Herald)
December 25, 1924: “The Modoc Lumber Company closed during the past season will resume operations early in the spring and it is expected will endeavor to cut and mill during the year a total of 50,000,000 feet of timber. The Modoc property is located near Chiloquin.
This information came to The Klamath News last night in a telegram from V. D. C. Beach of Portland, representative of the Menefee Lumber company of that city who will conduct the operations.
The Modoc mill until November 3 last was under option to the Shevlin-Hixon Lumber company, now seeking a location here, but on the date named notification was given that the property was not desired. While it has been conjectured that the Menefee people would probably start operations, the statement of Mr. Beach to The News is the first official announcement of the coming season's program. It is expected that the information will be hailed with general satisfaction, as the prospective payroll will run between $20,000 and $30,000 per month.
According to E. C. Van Emon local attorney who has represented the Menefee people, there is necessity of cutting approximately 50,000,000 feet of timber the coming year, none having been cut in 1924 under the government contract held by the Modoc company. The company controls 400,000,000 feet in the Calimus Marsh unit and should dispose of 25,000,000 feet per year.
The Menefee company is a wealthy concern and has been operating largely in fir in Washington, Idaho and this state.---Klamath News.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
This information came to The Klamath News last night in a telegram from V. D. C. Beach of Portland, representative of the Menefee Lumber company of that city who will conduct the operations.
The Modoc mill until November 3 last was under option to the Shevlin-Hixon Lumber company, now seeking a location here, but on the date named notification was given that the property was not desired. While it has been conjectured that the Menefee people would probably start operations, the statement of Mr. Beach to The News is the first official announcement of the coming season's program. It is expected that the information will be hailed with general satisfaction, as the prospective payroll will run between $20,000 and $30,000 per month.
According to E. C. Van Emon local attorney who has represented the Menefee people, there is necessity of cutting approximately 50,000,000 feet of timber the coming year, none having been cut in 1924 under the government contract held by the Modoc company. The company controls 400,000,000 feet in the Calimus Marsh unit and should dispose of 25,000,000 feet per year.
The Menefee company is a wealthy concern and has been operating largely in fir in Washington, Idaho and this state.---Klamath News.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
February 1925: "Varnal Beach and Sam Tevis, of the L.B. Menefee Lumber Co., Portland, were here for some time introducing their new superintendent, S.W. Seely, who will have charge of the operations of the Modoc Lumber Co., Aspgrove, Ore. Mr. Seely has been connected with the Shevlin-Carpenter-Clarke Company in the capacity of superintendent at its operations at Fort Francis, Ontario." (The Timberman Vol. 26)
March 23, 1925: "The sawmill plant of the Modoc Lumber company started sawing lumber this morning. The company had planned on starting the middle of last week, but repairing and overhauling the mill took longer than was anticipated.
The logging camp is now running full force, shipping twenty six cars per day to the mill. The first shipment of logs from the camp. 11 cars, arrived at the mill site Thursday. The Modoc people expect to cut 120M per shift, according to Manager Beach." (The Evening Herald)
The logging camp is now running full force, shipping twenty six cars per day to the mill. The first shipment of logs from the camp. 11 cars, arrived at the mill site Thursday. The Modoc people expect to cut 120M per shift, according to Manager Beach." (The Evening Herald)
March 1925: "Modoc Pine Co., a new $100,000 corporation has purchased the plant of Modoc Lumber Co., Modoc, Ore., and has commenced operating one shift. Indian reservation timber is logged by the company. The officers of the new company are L.B. Menefee, president; V.D.C. Beach, vice-president; P.L. Menefee, secretary. Sales will be handled by L.B. Menefee Lumber Co., Portland." (The Timberman, Vol. 26)
April 1925: "Modoc Lumber Co., Aspgrove, is operating its mill, after a long shutdown. A battery of ten kilns is employed. Surplus logs are purchased by Big Lakes Box Co., Klamath Falls, which has started operating. Logs are being received from Strahorn road." (The Timberman, Vol. 26)
April 6, 1925: "Harold Hall, ratchet setter for the Modoc Lumber company was in town over the week-end." (The Evening Herald)
May 7, 1925: "Total loss placed at $125,000; Mill goes up in flames like tinder; Lumber saved through desperate efforts of employees; 100 men out of work.
The Modoc lumber mill at Pine Ridge was completely destroyed within an hour after fire broke out in the mill's boiler room yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The building and equipment, valued at nearly $125,000 is a total loss, only half of which is covered by insurance.
Sawdust in the boiler room, ignited through a hot box, is believed to have caused the fire, which spread with alarming rapidity. The whistle was sounded immediately when the fire was discovered, but already it was making rapid headway. More than a hundred mill workers barely had time to escape with their lives. Many who, above the din of the mill machinery, did not hear the whistle, were too late to make the doorways, made their escape from the upper story by jumping to a millwright's shed below to safety.
'I was 300 yards away from the mill when I first saw the rising smoke,' said V. D. C. Beach, manager of the mill, 'and before I could reach the mill it was a mass of flames, throwing intense heat outward for a distance of 100 yards or more.'
About 15 men were slightly burned or injured.
All available hose was utilized to prevent the fire from spreading to the company office and the stored lumber. Efforts of the several hundred men were successful with the exception of 30,000 feet of lumber and 50 lumber buggies, which were destroyed in the mill yards.
All Chiloquin rushed to the scene to aid in the work of prevention. Fire fighters on the opposite bank of the Williamson river were seriously hampered when the Modoc bridge became ignited by flying sparks. Quick action, however, saved the bridge, although it is regarded as unsafe for heavy traffic to cross.
The mill itself burned like tinder, despite the only moderate wind. Scarcely an hour had passed from the time the alarm was sounded until it was enveloped in flames. It was plainly apparent that there was no hope for the mill itself. Efforts were directed solely to prevent the fire from spreading. A hose cordon was formed around the mill, and a continual stream of water was played on surrounding structures and the lumber yards. The blaze continued until dusk. Mill employees were furnished, while they worked, with food by women of the camp.
By dusk the fire had spent itself. Throughout the night men were constantly on the lookout for sparks from the dying embers. By midnight the old mill was a heap of smouldering ruins save for a sporadic burst of flame from the ill fated structure.
Several men were reported missing early in the evening, but a careful check-up revealed no serious casualties.
Over 100 men will be thrown out of work immediately through the burning of the mill. A wire for $10,000 was sent last night to Portland, for paying off the workers.
The mill, which had been operating with one shift of about 125 men, and was about ready to start a double shift, is the property of L. B. Menefee and company of Portland.
A deal whereby the mill would be sold to an eastern lumbering outfit, was nearly completed despite reports to the contrary. It is believed that Shevlin-Hixon may again dicker for purchase of the mill site. They have, it is understood, expressed themselves as wanting the site, but not the mill itself, as it would be inadequate for a company of their magnitude." (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
The Modoc lumber mill at Pine Ridge was completely destroyed within an hour after fire broke out in the mill's boiler room yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The building and equipment, valued at nearly $125,000 is a total loss, only half of which is covered by insurance.
Sawdust in the boiler room, ignited through a hot box, is believed to have caused the fire, which spread with alarming rapidity. The whistle was sounded immediately when the fire was discovered, but already it was making rapid headway. More than a hundred mill workers barely had time to escape with their lives. Many who, above the din of the mill machinery, did not hear the whistle, were too late to make the doorways, made their escape from the upper story by jumping to a millwright's shed below to safety.
'I was 300 yards away from the mill when I first saw the rising smoke,' said V. D. C. Beach, manager of the mill, 'and before I could reach the mill it was a mass of flames, throwing intense heat outward for a distance of 100 yards or more.'
About 15 men were slightly burned or injured.
All available hose was utilized to prevent the fire from spreading to the company office and the stored lumber. Efforts of the several hundred men were successful with the exception of 30,000 feet of lumber and 50 lumber buggies, which were destroyed in the mill yards.
All Chiloquin rushed to the scene to aid in the work of prevention. Fire fighters on the opposite bank of the Williamson river were seriously hampered when the Modoc bridge became ignited by flying sparks. Quick action, however, saved the bridge, although it is regarded as unsafe for heavy traffic to cross.
The mill itself burned like tinder, despite the only moderate wind. Scarcely an hour had passed from the time the alarm was sounded until it was enveloped in flames. It was plainly apparent that there was no hope for the mill itself. Efforts were directed solely to prevent the fire from spreading. A hose cordon was formed around the mill, and a continual stream of water was played on surrounding structures and the lumber yards. The blaze continued until dusk. Mill employees were furnished, while they worked, with food by women of the camp.
By dusk the fire had spent itself. Throughout the night men were constantly on the lookout for sparks from the dying embers. By midnight the old mill was a heap of smouldering ruins save for a sporadic burst of flame from the ill fated structure.
Several men were reported missing early in the evening, but a careful check-up revealed no serious casualties.
Over 100 men will be thrown out of work immediately through the burning of the mill. A wire for $10,000 was sent last night to Portland, for paying off the workers.
The mill, which had been operating with one shift of about 125 men, and was about ready to start a double shift, is the property of L. B. Menefee and company of Portland.
A deal whereby the mill would be sold to an eastern lumbering outfit, was nearly completed despite reports to the contrary. It is believed that Shevlin-Hixon may again dicker for purchase of the mill site. They have, it is understood, expressed themselves as wanting the site, but not the mill itself, as it would be inadequate for a company of their magnitude." (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
May 15, 1925: "Announcement was made last night that the L.B. Menefee Lumber Company interests would during the summer start construction on a new saw mill on the site of the old Modoc Pine Co. plant that was destroyed by fire 12 days ago.
Varnel D.C. Beach, who made the announcement, declined to make any statement concerning how large the mill would be. Definite plans have not been consummated, he said, and only the fact that the mill will be rebuilt in the near future." (The Evening Herald)
Varnel D.C. Beach, who made the announcement, declined to make any statement concerning how large the mill would be. Definite plans have not been consummated, he said, and only the fact that the mill will be rebuilt in the near future." (The Evening Herald)
Continued to: MODOC PINE COMPANY (Included above)
Continued to: FOREST LUMBER COMPANY