Major Milling Business Changes Hands
A prominent Walla Walla businessman sells his mill and feed holdings to pursue new ventures in the Dakotas.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A big transfer of milling property situated in Walla Walla took place yesterday. L. J. Bierwagen sold to Robert Johnson, proprietor of the Electric chop mill, and John Riffley, manager of the Farmers' warehouse, the Yellow Hawk mills, situated just south of the city cemetery, together with 10 acres of ground adjoining, two residences on the plot, and his mill and feed business at 117 Alder street. The purchase price was $7,500, and the new owners will assume charge of the property Monday. Mr. Johnson will superintend the running of the mill, while Mr. Riffley will have charge of the feed store in Alder street. Important improvements in the mill are contemplated by the new management. Mr. Bierwagen, who has been continuously in business in Walla Walla for nearly 10 years, will take a much needed rest. A trip to South Dakota is being planned; he has large interests in a cattle ranch with his brother, and after an inspection of the cattle and stock business in that country, he may decide to increase his stock in the firm. At present, the firm has 2,700 head of beef cattle on the range.
“Important improvements in the mill are contemplated by the new management.”
The sale of the Yellow Hawk mill reflects the era when Walla Walla served as a massive hub for grain and feed processing. Today, these agricultural processing roles have shifted to larger industrial zones, though the importance of local ownership in the community's economic fabric remains a central topic in town development debates.
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