Butler County, Alabama - Chapter 37, 1885

John T. and B. C. Miiner began to build a steam saw-mill here in the year 1865. The latter built the first dwelling-house in this place the same year, on the lot now owned by Asberry Flowers. The mill started to sawing lumber in 1866, with James Flowers as the sawyer. He has given satisfaction to the company in this position for eighteen years, and is of all men one that is entirely reliable. The company employed W. H. Flowers, as Superintendent of the mill in 1867, which position he held until he bought an interest in the company in 1872. A stock company was formed September i, 1880, with a stock valued at ;^8o,- 000. W. H. Flowers was elected General Superintendent, and John J. Flowers Secretary and Treasurer. J. T. Miiner, H. M. Caldwell, W. H. Flowers and J. J. Flowers are the principal stockholders, each owning ;^20,ooo.

This mill has suffered three times from fire. The mill, with lumber on the grounds, was burned in 1869; loss about ^^ 15,000. It was rebuilt immediately, and burned again January, 1879; 1^^^ ;^ 1 5,000. It was rebuilt almost as quickly as burned. There was no insurance in either case. The lumber-yard and the kiln-drying machine were consumed by fire in April, 1884. Insurance, ^15,- 000; loss, ^40,000. The lumber business was in such a flourishing condition in 1873, that the company employed convicts from the county to assist in cutting timber. The timber being sawed so rapidly, they found it expedient to use a steam locomotive on their tramway. An engine was made especially for their use, and it was put on the Narrow Gauge Railway in June, 1875. This railroad ran out about six miles southeast, and all the timber reached by it was exhausted by the spring of 1882. Work began immediately on a road northwest from the mill. The timber has been exhausted in this direction for five miles. The road will extend about seven miles farther before it will be removed to another bed.

This mill, known all through the county as Flowers' Mill, does an immense business. It has a 95 horse-power engine, and turns out 35,000 feet of sawed planks per day. They have a patented drying-machine, that dries about the same amount per day, and also a planing-machine, which prepares the lumber for immediate use. Most of the lumber is shipped West. They work between 50 and 75 convicts here the year round, getting them from several counties in the State, and paying for them from ;^7.oo to ;^i5.oo per month each. I am glad to state that the convicts, sentenced to hard labor and in the employ of this corporation, are well cared for. On examination of Colonel Reginald R. Dawson's report as inspector, you will find that he, as well as many others who have visited the mill, are well pleased with the system adopted by the company. The good treatment given to all convicts under their control, should secure for them, in the future, as many more as they may happen to need, to keep up with the orders for lumber.

The most of the land here belongs to the corporation or some of its members. John J. Flowers opened a store here in 1872 ; bu»t, as the business was not sufficient to pay him a reasonable per cent, on the money invested, it was soon suspended. The company has always kept a kind of grocery store here to supply the hands with meal, flour, bacon, etc., and a few dry goods.

As the land around this place is not very fertile, and as the corporation owns the larger portion of it, there are no farming interests here. Everyone living here is connected with the mill, and in that way obtains a livelihood.

best teacher they can get, and by this means there is generally a better school here than in many of the other little villages in the county. Although it takes more money to engage a good teacher, yet the efficient services rendered, will more than repay the difference in cost.

The majority of the people here are Methodists, and have built a very handsome structure, in which they meet at appointed times to worship the Giver of all good things.