R. J. Williams Lumber Co. (1910-1916)

Wena Lumber Co. (1916-1919)

Standard gauge, 40-lb rail Headquarters: Bay St. Louis Mill Location: Gexville (near Bay St. Louis), MS  (Hancock County) Mill Capacity: 50,000 ft/day in 1910 Years of Operation: 1910-1919 Miles Operated: 15 miles in 1917 Locomotives Owned: 1	Equipment:	Click Map for Larger Version
History by Gil Hoffman: The R. J. Williams Lumber Company was incorporated at Gexville, Hancock County, on January 4, 1910 by W. J. Gex, of Bay St. Louis, and R. J. Williams, of Logtown, with authorized capital stock of $50,000. The sawmill was located on the Jordan River, three miles from Bay St. Louis. W. J. Gex was president of the company.  On December 2, 1916 the charter was amended to change the company name to Wena Lumber Company and to lower the capital stock to $10,000. W. J. Gex continued as president. In June 1917 the original mill burned and was replaced by a new circular mill cutting about 50,000 feet per day. The rebuilt mill was placed in operation in October 1917. A three-mile spur connected the mill with the Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Bay St. Louis.  In 1919 the mill cut out, after which the machinery and railroad logging equipment were sold to the General Equipment Company, of New Orleans.
ROSTER by Gil Hoffman:   Road No.   Type   Builder   C.N.   Date   Cyls.   Dri. Dia.   Engine Wt.   Previous Ownership   Disposition   3   2-4-2T   Baldwin   (11185)   9/1890   14x20   48   56000   (tentative) Jordan River Lumber Co. #3, Kiln, MS R. J. Williams Lumber Co. #3, on ?   Wena Lumber Co. #3, on 12/2/1916. General Equipment Co., New Orleans, LA, in 1919.

                                     HOME                                              ABOUT  US                                              LINKS           

For more information contact Tony Howe at howe6818@bellsouth.net or David S. Price at dsprice46@bellsouth.net