C. W. Rich (1884-1903)

Richburg & Columbia Ry.

Chicago Lumber & Coal Co. (1903-1909)

Standard gauge, -lb rail

Headquarters: Hattiesburg

Mill Location: Richburg, MS (Lamar County)

Mill Capacity: 50,000 ft/day 

Years of Operation: 1884-1909

Miles Operated: 7 miles

Locomotives Owned

Equipment:

 

Click Map for Larger Version

History by Gil Hoffman:

Charles Wesley Rich was born at Stateline, MS, on February 28, 1862. In early manhood he operated an extensive sawmill and turpentine still at Deer Park, Ala. In October 1884, after completion of the New Orleans & Northeastern Railroad, he moved to Richburg, Marion County, about 3.5 miles southwest of Hattiesburg, where he established a yellow pine sawmill. This mill was a single circular type with a cutting capacity of 45,000 feet per day. By 1890 timber holdings amounted to over 11,000 acres. Initially logging was done over a pole road four miles long, but in late 1890 a standard gauge railroad with steel rails 2.5 miles in length was substituted. 

On April 1, 1890 Rich leased the Smith & Garrison mill on the New Orleans & Northeastern at Rosedale, two miles south of Purvis. This mill had a cutting capacity of 35,000 feet per day, was logged by a pole road and had with it 6,000 acres of timberland. On July 14, 1891 the Rosedale mill burned, but was rebuilt by C. W. Rich and finally purchased by him on May 11, 1892. 

After selling out at Richburg on October 13, 1897, to his father, Sterling B. Rich, who owned the land on which the mill was built, Charles Rich moved to Hattiesburg where he became president of the Rich Lumber & Manufacturing Company and the Hattiesburg Ice & Coal Company. He was also the chief promoter of the Sullivan-Killrain fight, which took place at Richburg. For eight years (1905-1913) he served as mayor of Hattiesburg and died there on December 5, 1913 at age 50.

On July 25, 1903 the Chicago Lumber & Coal Company contracted with A. E. Rich for all the pine timber on the land she owned in 11 contiguous sections in northeastern Lamar County. This contract was to run for five years, expiring July 25, 1908. A sawmill of 50,000 feet daily cutting capacity was built at Richburg to cut this timber. A planing mill was added in the early part of 1907. The company also operated a planing mill at McHenry, in Harrison County, on the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad. In July 1908, to extend the life of the mill, 240 acres of additional timber were bought. Although the lease of the mill site was extended to August 1, 1910, the mill cut out in February 1909. 

The mill, railroad and logging equipment were advertised for sale in March 1910.

For a detailed history of this operation see: Steam Whistles in the Piney Woods Volume 2, by Gilbert H. Hoffman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROSTER by Gil Hoffman:   

 C. W. Rich:

1st Railroad:             Unknown gauge, pole road. Used until 1890.

 

 

Road No.

 

Type

 

Builder

 

C.N.

 

Date

 

Cyls.

 

Dri. Dia.

 

Engine

Wt.

 

Previous Ownership

 

Disposition

 

?

 

0-4-0T?

 

Richmond

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unknown.

C. W. Rich, in late 1880s.

 

Transferred to Rosedale operation in 1891.

 

 

2nd Railroad:             Installed in 1890. Standard gauge, 30-lb. rail.

Extending westward from mill for 6 miles into timber.

Named Richburg & Columbia Railway.

 

 

Road No.

 

Type

 

Builder

 

C.N.

 

Date

 

Cyls.

 

Dri. Dia.

 

Engine

Wt.

 

Previous Ownership

 

Disposition

 

998

 

4-4-0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14x20

 

61

 

52000

 

Unknown.

C. W. Rich #998, in 12/1890.

 

S. B. Rich, Richburg, MS, on 10/13/1897.

(tentative) Birmingham Rail & Locomotive Co.

Parker & Wilder #998, Epps, MS, on 8/21/1899.

 

 

999

 

4-4-0

 

Baldwin

 

3896

 

5/1876

 

16x24

 

61

 

66000

 

Cincinnati Southern #1

New Orleans & Northeastern #221,

in 12/1884.

C. W. Rich #999, on 5/1/1895

Cost $4,000.

Lettered “Richburg & Columbia Ry.”

Baldwin class 8-26 C 102

 

S. B. Rich, Richburg, MS, on 10/13/1897.

Kirby Lumber Co. #30, Call, TX, by 5/1902.

 

Chicago Lumber & Coal Roster: 

 

Road No.

 

Type

 

Builder

 

C.N.

 

Date

 

Cyls.

 

Dri. Dia.

 

Engine

Wt.

 

Previous Ownership

 

Disposition

 

1

 

0-4-2T

 

Baldwin

 

8888

 

11/1887

 

12x16

 

35

 

36000

 

Tuscaloosa Belt Ry. #1, Tuscaloosa, AL (Tuscaloosa Coal, Iron & Land Co.)

Dummy type.

Chicago Lumber & Coal Co. #1,

by 11/1905.

Baldwin class 6-18_ C 11

 

For sale 3/1910.

Enterprise Foundry & Machine Co., Hattiesburg, MS (dealer)

Globe Packing Box Co., Honey Island, LA,

on 6/12/1915.

 

?

 

No Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unknown.

Chicago Lumber & Coal Co., on ?

 

For sale 3/1910.

 

 

 

 

 

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For more information contact Tony Howe at howe6818@bellsouth.net or David S. Price at dsprice46@bellsouth.net