2007 Brings With It Hope and Challenge
ASHS Column for 01 18 07
Margaret Collier

January brings in a new year with hope for new and exciting challenges - like affordable insurance, for example.

In a letter dated January 4, 190l, Edward A. Hauss wrote to Frank J. Hecker that the company's fire insurance policies would expire in February and requested Mr. Hecker's ideas regarding renewal of the six policies.
 
The sawmill - buildings, platforms, sheds and tramways - were insured for $2400; sawmill engines, boilers, etc., for $800; sawmill machinery including shafting, belts, tools for $4800; The planing mill - building sheds etc. – for $1000; planing mill machinery including machines, engines and steam loader, planing mill lumber contained in sheds and the planing mill for $1000. Dry kilns - including lumber cars, piping, and platforms for $3900; and dry kilns, lumber on cars and contained in kilns for $600.
 
The total amount for the three mills and their contents came to $17000. The policies were for l year with the premium amounting to a little over 5 & 1/2% or $944.50.

There was also a policy covering the yard stock of lumber, valued at $1500 for a premium of $63.75. The letter went on to state that there were two pumps for fire protection and an elevated tank ("of not much account"), six hose connections, and about 500 feet of 2" hose.

"Thinking that the proposed rough lumber shed might increase the risk I have sent a sketch showing location to the agents at Pensacola and asked them to advise us if our present policies would be affected by the building also took up with them the question of renewal."

"In the meantime I thought it a good plan to get your idea as to the premium - also any suggestions you might offer."

In the light of our present-day insurance woes, I found this information to be most interesting. Didn't have time to talk with an agent but expect it would be interesting to compare how the insurance business is working in our post multi-hurricane era with the 1901 era of mill fire hazards.

This month our sympathy goes out to Winford and Jeanine Johnson in the loss of their only daughter.

Since this was written before the Annual Meeting of the Society, you will have to read about the results in Jerry's column next week. At this point in time we are still preparing for and looking forward to another anniversary in the life of the Society.

And, speaking of another anniversary, we are reminded that it was in December of 1956 that The Alger-Sullivan Lumber Co. announced the proposed liquidation of the multimillion dollar company and sale of assets to a group of major paper companies and a chemical company. The board chairman (E.A. Hauss) said that the decision was made after a study of the trend of the lumber business and of affairs in general.

Don't you know that the workers must have been totally dismayed with such news just before Christmas? Times haven't changed that much because workers are still getting that kind of news in many of our current companies. However, there was a reprieve in this case. In February, 1957, the continued operation of the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Co. sawmill at Century was assured, according to a joint announcement by H. L. Manley of Savannah, Ga., Leon Clancy of Decatur, Ala., and G. R. Swift, Sr. of Atmore.

And, so it did continue for many more years, but you all know the rest of the story.

Coming soon we'll continue the story of "The Winding River Road," and have an interview with a living history, so stay tuned.