SOLOMON BUTTE LUMBER COMPANY
Kirk (KIR)
AKA "Government Mill"
April 1915: "The Indian Service has ordered machinery for a sawmill to be erected on Klamath Marsh, Klamath County. There are already three mills on the Klamath Reservation. The new mill is to enable the Indians to secure lumber within an easy distance." (The Timberman, Vol. 16)
April 11, 1915: "Machinery has been ordered and all preliminary work has been completed toward erecting this summer on Klamath Marsh of a sawmill to make lumber for the Indians of that section and for the Indian service. The exact site of the new mill has not been selected but it will be on the west side of the marsh and toward the south end.
There is an immense body of timber around Klamath Marsh and the new mill is to be erected this year that Indians of that section may get lumber for farm improvements without going a great distance.
The Indian Service already has three mills at various points on the reservation and two of these are running already. The two in operation are at Klamath Agency and Yainax and the third on Trout Creek. After the new mill is erected on Klamath Marsh at least three of the four will be in operation throughout the summer months." (Klamath Falls Northwestern)
There is an immense body of timber around Klamath Marsh and the new mill is to be erected this year that Indians of that section may get lumber for farm improvements without going a great distance.
The Indian Service already has three mills at various points on the reservation and two of these are running already. The two in operation are at Klamath Agency and Yainax and the third on Trout Creek. After the new mill is erected on Klamath Marsh at least three of the four will be in operation throughout the summer months." (Klamath Falls Northwestern)
April 13, 1915: "To saw lumber for the Indians, machinery has been ordered for a sawmill on Klamath marsh. There is an immense body of timber around the marsh, and the mill will be built to save the tribesmen from going long distances to get lumber for their improvements." (Sacramento Union)
May 1915: "Klamath Indian Agency, Klamath Falls, is installing a 25,000 daily capacity circular mill at Kirk, the present terminus of the new line of the S.P. Tributary to the mill are 60,000,000 feet of pine within a distance of two miles. The lumber is intended primarily for use by the government and Indians. The Eby Machinery Co. of San Francisco supplied the Machinery." (The Timberman, Vol. 16)
June 11, 1915: "The government's latest effort for the progressive Klamath Indians is the building of a sawmill for them, which will enter the commercial lumber field, provide profit from the timber owned by the Indians, and also furnish Indians with work during the winter months.
J.M. Bedford, forest supervisor of the reservation, stated today that the machinery for the plant is now arriving. It is to be located on the railroad, a miles this side of Kirk, and its location is in the center of 50,000,00 feet of fine Western yellow pine that can be advantageously and economically logged to the mill.
The plant will be erected in time to cut the necessary lumber for roofing tramways, etc., this year, opening with a regular crew next spring. It is to be equipped to cut from 30,00 to 35,000 feet of lumber in an eight hour day, but should conditions warrant, the capacity will be increased later by the addition of new equipment.
The sawmill will use a rotary saw. Besides there will be a shingle mill and planing mill in connection.
A feature about this mill is that it is to enter the commercial field. The output, besides that used by the Indians, is to be sold under bids to outsiders, either by mill run or grades. Shingles, ceiling and other building materials will be made for the Indians, and the opening of the plant is expected to prove a big impetus in the settling of the rich country around Klamath Marsh.
The timber to be cut is a choice tract that was offered for sale once, but held up by the Indian service, Mr. Bedford will operate the plant to have a profit over the logging, milling and shipping costs that will equal the stumpage prices the Indians would have received from the private purchasers of the timber, and this experiment will be carefully watched by the Indian service, as it establishes a precedent.
Another feature regarding the affair is that the logging will be done by the Indians. Contracts will be let to a few reliable Indians who can hire their crews, and they will be required to log under the same conditions as exacted from private parties taking Indian or national forest timber. This will give the Indians employment during the winter, a time when they are generally idle. It will also tend to encourage them in raising a heavier type of horses. It is expected that from 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 feet of timber will be logged by the Indians this winter." (The Evening Herald)
J.M. Bedford, forest supervisor of the reservation, stated today that the machinery for the plant is now arriving. It is to be located on the railroad, a miles this side of Kirk, and its location is in the center of 50,000,00 feet of fine Western yellow pine that can be advantageously and economically logged to the mill.
The plant will be erected in time to cut the necessary lumber for roofing tramways, etc., this year, opening with a regular crew next spring. It is to be equipped to cut from 30,00 to 35,000 feet of lumber in an eight hour day, but should conditions warrant, the capacity will be increased later by the addition of new equipment.
The sawmill will use a rotary saw. Besides there will be a shingle mill and planing mill in connection.
A feature about this mill is that it is to enter the commercial field. The output, besides that used by the Indians, is to be sold under bids to outsiders, either by mill run or grades. Shingles, ceiling and other building materials will be made for the Indians, and the opening of the plant is expected to prove a big impetus in the settling of the rich country around Klamath Marsh.
The timber to be cut is a choice tract that was offered for sale once, but held up by the Indian service, Mr. Bedford will operate the plant to have a profit over the logging, milling and shipping costs that will equal the stumpage prices the Indians would have received from the private purchasers of the timber, and this experiment will be carefully watched by the Indian service, as it establishes a precedent.
Another feature regarding the affair is that the logging will be done by the Indians. Contracts will be let to a few reliable Indians who can hire their crews, and they will be required to log under the same conditions as exacted from private parties taking Indian or national forest timber. This will give the Indians employment during the winter, a time when they are generally idle. It will also tend to encourage them in raising a heavier type of horses. It is expected that from 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 feet of timber will be logged by the Indians this winter." (The Evening Herald)
April 25, 1918: "R.O. Tompkins of Kirk was in town yesterday. He expects to operate a government sawmill there, and was here looking for men and supplies. It is expected that work will begin at the mill in a few days." (The Evening Herald)
November 6, 1918: "H. L. Swift is down from the saw mill at Martin, in Northern Klamath county, looking after matters of business." (The Evening Herald)
January 10, 1919: “R. O. Thompkins who has had the government mill near Kirk leased for the past season, has removed with his family to this city for the winter months. Mr. Thompkins is uncertain whether or not he will operate the plant again next year.” (The Weekly Klamath Record)
1920: The mill leased to Larkey and Brown, operated for one season.
1922: The lease taken up by the Christy Brothers.
June 9, 1922: "New Incorporations: Klamath Falls--Solomon Butte Lumber Co., capital $50,000." (National Lumberman, Vol.69)
March 20, 1924: "C.E. Brown has brought in horses for work at the government mill." (The Evening Herald)
April 3, 1924: "Solomon Butte Lumber company, Kirk. To resume in ten days, employing seventy-five men and cutting 40,000 feet daily." (The Sacramento Bee)
June 1924: "Solomon Butte Lumber Co.'s sawmill, Kirk, Ore., started operations June 16, after being closed down since the latter part of last year. George Christy is owner of the mill." (The Timberman, Vol.25)
July 1924: "Solomon Butte Lumber Co. (P.O. Marten, Ore.) has just started operating. George Christy has purchased the interest of his partner, Mr. Brown." & "Solomon Butte Lumber Co., Kirk, Ore., has installed a set of Glascock big wheels at the camp." (The Timberman, Vol. 25)
April 6, 1925: "George Christie, of the Solomon Butte Lumber company, was in town on business Saturday." (The Evening Herald)
May 30, 1925: "The firm of Tarter, Weed and Johnson purchased approximately 600,000 board feet of lumber from the Solomon Butte Lumber Company this week for a consideration of $12,442." (The Sacramento Bee)
August 5, 1925: "With the yard nearly full of lumber and with a cut of about 49,000 feet daily being made, the Solomon Butte Lumber company, near Kirk, operated by Christy Brothers, is preparing to install a Woods 30 inch planer. The planer is already installed and a building is now under construction to hold it.
The Solomon Butte mill was originally constructed by the government to fill the timber needs of Indians on the reservation. Christy brothers leased the mill from the government and this year began operating April 23.
Logs are being hauled to the mill by two cats with bummers, the haul being about a mile and a half.
Timber is purchased from the government as needed, it being part of the lease requirements that Christy Brothers are to supply the Indians with lumber and in return the government will supply their timber needs." (The Evening Herald)
The Solomon Butte mill was originally constructed by the government to fill the timber needs of Indians on the reservation. Christy brothers leased the mill from the government and this year began operating April 23.
Logs are being hauled to the mill by two cats with bummers, the haul being about a mile and a half.
Timber is purchased from the government as needed, it being part of the lease requirements that Christy Brothers are to supply the Indians with lumber and in return the government will supply their timber needs." (The Evening Herald)
August 1925: "Christy Lumber Co. is operating a sawmill at Kirkford, cutting 25,000 feet daily. This mill is owned by the Klamath Indian Agency, and George Christy operates it under lease." (The Timberman)
September 18, 1925: “County school superintendent Peterson was in this city Tuesday and in company with Prof. Cramblitt made a trip to the government mill which is better known as the Solomon Butte mill at the Martin railroad station. They investigated the situation carefully and decided to place a school at that place. The government will furnish a building and the county will furnish a teacher.” (The Chiloquin Review)
October 14, 1925: "T.H. Fisher is held in the county jail here, charged with assault with intent to kill, and Howard Seaver is in a local hospital with his skull fractured in three places.
Both men are employes of the Solomon Butte Lumber company near Kirk. The cause of the disagreement is unknown.
Fisher is alleged to have inflicted the injuries on Seaver with a sack full of small rocks." (The Sacramento Bee)
Both men are employes of the Solomon Butte Lumber company near Kirk. The cause of the disagreement is unknown.
Fisher is alleged to have inflicted the injuries on Seaver with a sack full of small rocks." (The Sacramento Bee)
October 24, 1925: "T.H. Fisher yesterday left the court room of Justice of the Peace Ed Kendall a free man.
The charge which he had faced, that of assault with intent to kill, had been dismissed by Judge Kendall.
None of the state's witnesses appeared to testify against the defendant.
Fisher was arrested about two weeks ago after, it was alleged, he had attached Howard Seaver at the Solomon Butte Lumber Company at Kirk. He struck Seaver, it was charged, with a bag which, it was said, was filled with rocks. What provoked the alleged assault was not known to officers." (The Klamath News)
The charge which he had faced, that of assault with intent to kill, had been dismissed by Judge Kendall.
None of the state's witnesses appeared to testify against the defendant.
Fisher was arrested about two weeks ago after, it was alleged, he had attached Howard Seaver at the Solomon Butte Lumber Company at Kirk. He struck Seaver, it was charged, with a bag which, it was said, was filled with rocks. What provoked the alleged assault was not known to officers." (The Klamath News)
January 22, 1926: “At the Solomon Butte mill the men are busy making the poles necessary for opening time. A pond has been made for washing of logs, mill wheel put in river, springs gotten in shape for water power, and now the mill itself is undergoing transformation.” (The Chiloquin Review)
May 21, 1926: “The government mill is running full blast. Many improvements and repairs have been made there. The camp, too, has been having a touch of cleaning up and presents a fine appearance. Several new cottages have been built and are occupied. A new camp for the woods gang has been established near the work, thus eliminating a long walk for the men.” (The Chiloquin Review)
May 28, 1926: “Miss Stephenson of Dorris, Cal., is visiting with her husband at Solomon butte mills of which he is superintendent.” & “Mr. Lockwood of the Solomon Butte Lumber company, Kirkford was transacting business here Thursday.” (The Chiloquin Review)
July 2, 1926: “Harold Mangum who is employed by the Solomon Butte Lumber company spent Sunday in town visiting friends.” (The Chiloquin Review)
August 4, 1926: "Warrants will be sworn out in the next few days for the arrest of V.L, Williams, C. Christie and C.W. Flynn of Kirk, government employes, working for the Solomon Butte Lumber company, according to District Game Warden Marion Barnes who apprehended the trio on Solomon flat near Kirk Sunday afternoon.
After an exciting chase over the open flat, Barnes caught up with the three men. Searching their car, he found only guns, but returning to a place where he had seen them stop, he discovered five ducks.
The trio denied they had been hunting illegally, and, according to Barnes, questioned his authority to arrest them on the reservation. Barnes then produced a federal badge.
According to Barnes, Flynn claimed he and his companions were fighting fires and that they had been shooting hawks.
'When I demanded their guns, they at first refused to give them to me,' Barnes said. "The guns belonged to Christie and Williams. But I told them they would be placed under arrest for resisting an officer, they turned over the guns.' " (The Evening Herald)
After an exciting chase over the open flat, Barnes caught up with the three men. Searching their car, he found only guns, but returning to a place where he had seen them stop, he discovered five ducks.
The trio denied they had been hunting illegally, and, according to Barnes, questioned his authority to arrest them on the reservation. Barnes then produced a federal badge.
According to Barnes, Flynn claimed he and his companions were fighting fires and that they had been shooting hawks.
'When I demanded their guns, they at first refused to give them to me,' Barnes said. "The guns belonged to Christie and Williams. But I told them they would be placed under arrest for resisting an officer, they turned over the guns.' " (The Evening Herald)
March 9, 1927: "Albert Senecal, who for several months has been receiving medical treatment at a Portland hospital for an injured ankle which he received in July while on duty in the mill yard of the Solomon Butte Lumber Company, returned last week to his home at Marten.
Earl V. King, who has been employed until recently by the Solomon Butte Lumber Company, left a few days ago for Klamath Falls. His family will remain at Martin until he is able to find a suitable location for them." (The Evening Herald)
Earl V. King, who has been employed until recently by the Solomon Butte Lumber Company, left a few days ago for Klamath Falls. His family will remain at Martin until he is able to find a suitable location for them." (The Evening Herald)
March 22, 1927: "Vernon Christy of the Solomon Butte Lumber company was a business caller in Klamath Falls Wednesday." (The Evening Herald)
May 1, 1927: "Sealed bids in duplicate on forms provided therefor and marked outside 'Bid Sawmill' and addressed to the 'Superintendent, Klamath Agency, Oregon,' will be received until two o'clock p.m., Pacific time, Thursday, May 19, 1927, for the purchase of the U.S. sawmill property at Martin, Oregon, including sawmill, planer mill, mill camp and other buildings and the U.S. machinery and other property therein as listed in an inventory date January 20, 1927. This property is offered subject to a lease to the Solomon Butte Lumber company, expiring December 31, 1930, which lease includes the sale of adjacent government stumpage. No bid will be accepted for less than five thousand dollars and the right is reserved to reject any or all bids and to waive technical defects in advertising. Copies of said lease, of the inventory and of the form of sale contract can be examined at Klamath Agency.
L. D. Arnold, Superintendent." (The Klamath News)
L. D. Arnold, Superintendent." (The Klamath News)