User:Voltaire's Vaquero/WF

=Willamette Falls controversy= In 1828 Simpson instructed McLoughlin to lay claim to Willamette Falls for the potentials of lumber production.

Ermatinger said in March 1830 "there is great talk of sawmills, farms... up the Willamat... [sic]" and focused on the potential lumber trade with the Kingdom of Hawaii.

The planned mill wasn't immediately constructed however. McLoughlin ordered a house to be created in 1829, and a mill race dug in 1833. In 1838 McLoughlin had lumber taken to the site to prepare for the mill.

McLoughlin spent over $20,000 on building two lumber mills along with a steam-powered flour mill, its engine sent from Scotland for the original lumber mill.

McLoughlin sold lots 66'x100' for $100, by 1844 despite there being over 50 houses, he had yet to get "the first penny."

Steam grist mill produce around 90 barrels of flour daily.

HBC store 1845 employed Ermatinger and two clerks "constantly employed".

Oregon Milling Company
Waller's house was made from lumber loaned from McLoughlin. McLoughlin later adjusted his claim size to 640 acres, the largest size allowed by the Provisional Government of Oregon. Judge Bryant soon after assuming his duties as Judge bought the stock of the Oregon Mill Company, and its claim to Abernathy Island.

In a speech to Congress, Thurston attacked the Chief Factor for "Having at his command the Indians of the Country, he held it [the claim] by violence." His appeal was included in the Donation Land Claim Act, as the eleventh section awarded the Falls to the Willamette Mill Company.

http://books.google.com/books?id=pekRAAAAYAAJ&dq=holman%20oregon%20mcloughlin&pg=PA117#v=onepage&q=holman%20oregon%20mcloughlin&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=eBQTAAAAYAAJ&dq=Oregon%20Mill%20Company%20methordist&pg=PA203#v=onepage&q=Oregon%20Mill%20Company%20methordist&f=false