A Pioneering Sawmill on Lake Washington
G.C. Phinney builds a sawmill in 40 days, proving the value of industrious newcomers over hesitant, wealthy old-timers.
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.
Some two months ago G. C. Phinney, of this city, conceived the idea of building a saw mill in Burke's second addition, via Lake Washington. He mentioned his scheme to the proprietors of that addition, who offered to give him an eligible site free, if he would build the mill as contemplated. The agreement was soon consummated, and forty days ago Mr. Phinney commenced work. He cleared ten acres of land, built a pile driver, drove a pile foundation, ordered his machinery from San Francisco, hauled it to the Lake, set it up, and, at noon yesterday, commenced cutting lumber for the first time. During one hour, 5,600 feet, board measure, was sawed out, and it is thought the mill will average from ten to twelve thousand feet of lumber per day. One such man as Mr. Phinney, with a limited capital, is much more benefit to a community than a dozen old moss-backs, with their pockets lined with gold, who squeeze a piece of money till the eagle squeals.
“One such man as Mr. Phinney, with a limited capital, is much more benefit to a community than a dozen old moss-backs, with their pockets lined with gold, who squeeze a piece of money till the eagle squeals.”
Phinney's mill represents the rapid, aggressive industrialization of the Seattle waterfront in the late 19th century. The critique of 'old moss-backs' illustrates the friction between established capital and the rapid-growth, speculative frontier spirit that defined the city's development.
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