C. W. Rich (1884-1903)
Richburg & Columbia Ry.
Chicago Lumber & Coal Co. (1903-1909)
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Standard gauge, -lb rail Headquarters: Hattiesburg Mill Location: Richburg, MS (Lamar County) Mill Capacity: 50,000 ft/day Years of Operation: 1884-1909 Miles Operated: 7 miles Locomotives Owned: |
Equipment:
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Click Map for Larger Version |
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History by Gil Hoffman: Charles
Wesley Rich was
born at Stateline, MS, on February 28, 1862. In early manhood he operated an
extensive sawmill and turpentine still at Deer Park, Ala. In October 1884,
after completion of the New Orleans & Northeastern Railroad, he moved to
Richburg, Marion County, about 3.5 miles southwest of Hattiesburg, where he
established a yellow pine sawmill. This mill was a single circular type with
a cutting capacity of 45,000 feet per day. By 1890 timber holdings amounted
to over 11,000 acres. Initially logging was done over a pole road four miles
long, but in late 1890 a standard gauge railroad with steel rails 2.5 miles
in length was substituted. On
April 1, 1890 Rich leased the Smith & Garrison mill on the New Orleans
& Northeastern at Rosedale, two miles south of Purvis. This mill had a
cutting capacity of 35,000 feet per day, was logged by a pole road and had
with it 6,000 acres of timberland. On July 14, 1891 the Rosedale mill
burned, but was rebuilt by C. W. Rich and finally purchased by him on May
11, 1892. After selling out at Richburg on October 13, 1897, to his father, Sterling B. Rich, who owned the land on which the mill was built, Charles Rich moved to Hattiesburg where he became president of the Rich Lumber & Manufacturing Company and the Hattiesburg Ice & Coal Company. He was also the chief promoter of the Sullivan-Killrain fight, which took place at Richburg. For eight years (1905-1913) he served as mayor of Hattiesburg and died there on December 5, 1913 at age 50. On
July 25, 1903 the Chicago Lumber & Coal Company contracted with
A. E. Rich for all the pine timber on the land she owned in 11 contiguous
sections in northeastern Lamar County. This contract was to run for five
years, expiring July 25, 1908. A sawmill of 50,000 feet daily cutting
capacity was built at Richburg to cut this timber. A planing mill was added
in the early part of 1907. The company also operated a planing mill at
McHenry, in Harrison County, on the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad. In July
1908, to extend the life of the mill, 240 acres of additional timber were
bought. Although the lease of the mill site was extended to August 1, 1910,
the mill cut out in February 1909. The
mill, railroad and logging equipment were advertised for sale in March 1910.
For a detailed history of this operation see: Steam Whistles in the Piney Woods Volume 2, by Gilbert H. Hoffman |
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| ROSTER by Gil Hoffman: C. W. Rich: 1st
Railroad:
Unknown gauge, pole road. Used until 1890.
2nd
Railroad: Installed
in 1890. Standard gauge, 30-lb. rail. Extending
westward from mill for 6 miles into timber. Named
Richburg & Columbia Railway.
Chicago
Lumber & Coal Roster:
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For more information contact Tony Howe at howe6818@bellsouth.net or David S. Price at dsprice46@bellsouth.net
