Reminiscences of an Old-Time Lumberman

Bv \(. F. Montgomery President Hollywood Lumber Co.

The story of my two attempts to crash the gates of San Francisco may be of interest to any old timers oi that period, or perhaps some of the younger generation seeking a business opening, and sans capital.

The first attempt was about the year 1890, after losing my position with the Western Lumber Co., then located at 9th and San Pedro Streets. With $25, all my available cash in my pocket, and a scalper's railroad ticket, I set out for San Francisco to seek my fortune. On boarding the train the conductor promptly confiscated my ticket and I had to dig up $15 or be put off the train. I landed in San Francisco with my capital reduced to $10.

However, I had been invited by Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Slade, who were then living in Oakland, to pay them a visit and spent a few ',r'eeks there, making daily trips to San Francisco looking for a job. I have always been grateful to them for their hospitality, and Mr' Slade's generosity in staking me to small sums until I got a job, which I rvas able to repay afterwards by giving him cargo orders'

I made my headquarters at the E. K. Wood office where Mr. Slade was bookkeeper, and part owner I believe, and at the offrce of the Chas. Nelson Company, who had been selling lumber to the Western Lumber Co. W. T. Wheatley was city salesman and Jas. Shultz was yardman for E' K' Wood at that time, and Jimmy Tyson was head man with his uncle, Capt. Nelson.

Neither of these concerns seemed to have an opening for me, but both, and in 'particular Capt. Nelson, endeavored to place me with other people. He sent me over to interview C. F. Doe & Co. who wanted a bookkeeper, but I made the mistake of telling them that my last salary was $150 a month, and they lacked interest. Capt. Nelson also gave me a pass on his stearner, the old North Fort to Eureka where I went out to the Korbel mill to intervierv them but fottnd no opening.

Soon after I encountered my old friend, Arthur E' Little, in San Francisco. I{e vras also lool':ing for a job and he invited me to share his room on Van Ness Avenue where we paicl $7.50 a mouth each for the room, and twenty-five cents for an eveni.ng meal.

While there he had a temporary job as instructor in a skating rink and I served one day as bookkeeper in a wagon shop on Mission Street, and was discharged because I did not lock up at night as instructed.

I met ;nearly all of the prominent lumber dealers in San Francisco from whom I solicited employment, and finally was given a job as bookkeeper by Thos. Richardson' manager of the San Francisco Lumber Co. at their branch yard on Third and Berry Streets. Part of the same building was occupiecl by the Pacific Pine Co., wholesalers, and I had my first meeting with young Loop, the bookkeeper, and Mr. Swett and Mr. Davenport, who were both connected with the company. Probably neither Loop nor myself had any idea that we would later head our own lumber concern. The manager of the retail business was a Mr. Curtis, an Englishman, and as he was away from the office most of the time and told me none of the details of the business, I did not add anything to my knorvledge of San Francisco methods. At the end of three months Mr. Richardson advised me that he would have to let me out to make room for a nephew of a member of the company' and I returned to Los Angeles without much regret, especially as I had a fond mother and girl friend waiting for me there.

Later on I had the experience of selling lumber for Thos. Richardson in the Middle West. Mr. Richardson had lost his job and was now in busi.ness for himself, shipping Yellorv Pine from Shasta Springs.

My second attempt to invade San Francisco took place after an interval of about ten years, during which time I had many vicissitudes.

Soon after returning to Los Angeles the W. H. Perry Company started a yard at Chino where the Oxnard people were building their factory and offered me a job. I was second choice as they had first offered the place to L. E' Behymer, to whom I give thanks for cleclining. and I spent

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