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Butler Steam Mill
About 1838 Messrs. John L. and Lord Butler erected the first steam grist-mill built in the Wyoming Valley—or for that matter, in Luzerne county.
It stood on the east side of Public Square, where later stood the building occupied by the grocery store of Lewis Brown. The basement of the building was a sunken story of stone (in which the engine was located), and above this the structure was of wood, two and a-half stories in height. Along the front of the building, on a level with the first floor, and six or eight feet above the side-walk, was an uncovered porch, reached by a flight of steps from the street. This mill was opened for business in 1838 or '39, and as long as the building stood it was known as " the Butler Steam Mill." It was operated at first by John L. and Lord Butler, but later by John L. alone.

In 1845 the engine, machinery and mill fittings were removed from the building, carried to Pittston, and the next year installed in the new steam grist-mill erected there by Messrs. John L. Butler & Co., as previously noted.

In the spring of 1846 H. B. Robinson and Lord Butler opened in the room on the first floor of the abandoned mill on the Square, a store for the sale of general merchandise. In the basement story H. and F. McAlpin established at the same time their stove and tin-ware shop.

The building continued to be used for miscellaneous purposes until May 26, 1855, when it and all the other buildings along the east side of the Public Square were destroyed by fire. At the time of the fire W. W. Loomis had his harness and saddlery shop on the first floor of the mill building, and J. C. Frederick and H. C. Wilson occupied the basement floor with their stove and tinware business.

THE THOMAS STEAM MILL, WILKES-BARRE.
The Wyoming Division of the North Branch Canal was completed in 1834, and for a few years thereafter everybody in this locality hoped and expected that the State of Pennsylvania would soon complete the canal to the New York State line. Our manufacturers, merchants and business men generally expected to derive large profits from the increased amount of business that would come to them by way of the canal; but their expectations were never realized, owing to the failure of the State to hurry along the completion of the important work.

In 1840 Abraham Thomas, an active and prominent business man in Wilkes-Barre, erected a large frame building for a steam grist-mill on the north bank of the canal, north of Union and between Franklin and River streets. After Mr. Thomas had erected his building he concluded, in view of the state of canal affairs, that it would be more profitable to use the building for a steam saw-mill—which he did from 1841 until early in 1846, when he died. A few years later the mill was sold and removed.

THE HILLARD MILL, WILKES-BARRE.
In 1847 Oliver B. Hillard and Moses C. Mordecai, who had come to Wilkes-Barre, from Charleston, S. C., about a year previously to engage in mercantile business, began the erection of a large steam grist-mill on the north side of Union street, east of Main street, Wilkes-Barre. The rear of the building abutted on the canal, and facilities were there provided for loading and unloading boats. The basement was a sunken story of stone; the superstructure was of brick, three and a-half stories in height. Captain Thomas H. Parker, of Wilkes-Barre, was the builder.

In the erection and fitting up of the mill no expense or pains were spared. There were six run of stones. The engine, boilers and appurtenances came from Elmira, N. Y., and cost something over $5500.

Steam was turned on at this mill for the first time on Christmas day, 1848, and early in January, 1849, the owners informed the public that they were ready to do custom work; and that "persons in town wishing to have grain ground" might have it sent for on giving notice. Merchant milling, however, was the specialty at this mill.

The Wilkes-Barre Advocate of January 17, 1849, referred to the Hillard & Mordecai Mill in these words: "It is a magnificent building—the machinery is extensive and of the best quality. The improvements made by these enterprising business men have added much to the business appearance and substantial improvement of that part of the town in which they are operating."

Later in the year 1849 Messrs. Hillard and Mordecai dissolved partnership, and thereafter the mill (which was known as "The Wyoming Steam Mill") was operated by Mr. Hillard alone until his death in the Summer of 1861. It was then operated by his executors for about a year, after which it stood idle for some months while being overhauled and refitted. Sometime in 1862 or '63 Messrs. T. S. and W. S. Hillard, sons of O. B. Hillard, took the mill and ran it until the end of 1879, since which time the building has been used for a variety of purposes.

THE KEYSTONE STEAM MILL, WILKES-BARRE
In 1855 Messrs. Horton and Richards began the erection of the Keystone Steam Grist-mill in South Wilkes-Barre next to the Vulcan Iron Works, at the foot of Hibler's hill.

The Record of the Times of December 12, 1855, said: "The building is up and the mill-wrights busy as bees putting in the machinery, whilst the masons are erecting the brick engine-house close by. The engine is from the works of Jones & Yost, their next neighbors, and will be some sixty horse power. The arrangements of the whole establishment are admirable, and when completed will be quite an addition not only to Wilkes-Barre, but to the Valley. The four run of stones will be on a solid platform on the first floor, and close together. An opening in the wall will have a trough running out to boats in the canal, which is within a few feet of the mill. By means of this trough, with a spiral iron turning in it, the grain will be brought into the lower floor of the building, and from there taken wherever wanted by elevators."

This mill was ready for business in February, 1856, and was operated by its owners from then until some time in 1858, when the property was sold at sheriff's sale to Messrs. Drake and Sterling. They leased the mill to Herz Lowenstein of Wilkes-Barre, who ran it for a year or two. The owners then ran it until the death of Mr. Drake dissolved the partnership. Shortly afterwards the property was sold to Messrs. M. W. Morris and R. F. Walsh, who took possession April I, 1864. They operated the mill until December 31, 1895, when, on account of failing health, Mr. Walsh retired from the business, which since then has been conducted by Mr. Morris.

(THE EARLY GRIST-MILLS OF WYOMING VALLEY - WYOMING HISTORICAL AND GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. DECEMBER 1898)