Choker setters, Lewis Mill and Timber Company, ca 1922 (KINSEY 207)

Caption on image: Lewis Mill and Timber Co. No. 50 PH Coll 516.1728The Lewis Mill & Timber Company was in business ca. 1910 to 1931, headquartered in South Bend and with logging operations in Frances. In 1924, the company had 100 employees. South Bend is three miles from the mouth of the Willapa River into Willapa Harbor in north central Pacific County. In 1860 this town began as a sawmill. The South Bend Land Company boomed the town and it developed rapidly in the 1890s. The name indicates the distinct bend to the south in Willapa River at this point. The name was chosen by local settlers. John B. Woods, the first postmaster, used it for the post office. South Bend is now the county seat of Pacific County and is known for its oyster industry. Frances is now a farming community on Highway Six between Lebam and Pe Ell. The name was given by E.H. McHenry, chief engineer of the Northern Pacific Railroad survey crew who passed through the area in 1892. Frances was Mrs. McHenry's maiden name. The Handy brothers started one of the earlier sawmills at Frances, platted and settled in the early 1890s. A decade later, a mill fire destroyed the sawmill along with most of the small business district. In 1910, after substantial rebuilding, the town counted 472 persons for the precinct census. A choker setter is the person who puts a choker around a log and attaches it to the skidding or yarding equipment.
Subjects (LCTGM): Logs; Loggers; Lumber industry--Washington (State); Lewis Mills and Timber Company--People--Washington (State); Pacific County (Wash.)