Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company: Equine Care; Horseshoes and Related Topics

 Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company: Equine Care; Horseshoes and Related Topics

I recently found a horseshoe artifact north of Kendrick Peak. Prior to 1929, the Saginaw maintained a large herd of horses for use in harvesting timber. These animals weres employed in hauling logs, transporting supplies within the camps, and other assignments. 

Without the horse, there would be only limited logging or transportation, and civilization would have matured at a much slower rate. The horse was the foundation of transportation for thousands of years, for without the horse there would be no wagons, only hand carts powered by the underclass of humanity. 

Disregarding the usual ramblings and philosophical comments, I would like to use this post as an opportunity to explore the horse as an "employee" of the so-named company. Designating the animal as such, was the Saginaw a good employer? Were they taken care of in a humane way, or used to exhaustion and discarded as any spent piece of machinery? Often historical research focuses on the obvious, such as the location of sites, the number of rail miles, or the steam locomotives (which, by the way, is often referred to as the "Iron Horse.") 

This post will be updated from time to time, allowing the author to collect thoughts and images related to the topic. It is hoped that this will help the reader to better appreciate this animal, and the role it played in harvesting the timber stands of the North Country. 

The area north of Kendrick Peak was extensively harvested by the Saginaw, more so than most of the historians realize. The logging lines that were laid across this landscape were part of the Bellemont Line, one of many company branch lines. Although the various spurs were not always contemporary in operation, The cumulative effect were some half-dozen temporary camps of various sizes and purpose, spread across the landscape, from the foothills of the mountain to Kendrick Park and all points north  east, and south. Only the formidable mountain ridges precluded further expansion west. While the timber stands lasted, his vast operation resulted in sending a continuous stream of pine logs to the mill, located in Williams, Arizona. 

  

Spotted beneath the pine needles was an artifact. 

What a find! A horseshoe used by the logging teams. This was a massive animal, as the water bottle attests to the size of the shoe. 

A closer view of the reverse side. The nails are square cut, common for horse shoeing. This image indicates that the cleats provided added traction. 

Somewhat of size comparison. Not having a tape measure handy, the old man hand must do. After documenting and studying, the artifact was once again returned to the earth, covered and hidden from sight. If this had been removed, the opportunity to date and understand the area would have been hindered. The finding of the horseshoe indicates that the surrounding historical sites related to the logging operations date before 1929, when mechanized logging replaced the horse teams. 

Found near where the shoe was located, was a small rock dam, which created a pool of water. This simple structure could well have been made by the teamsters to provide refreshment for the horses, when they paused for a moment of rest while working. Small and seemingly insignificant finds like this bring forth an understanding of how much these animals were respected and cared for. 

For comparison, the following image is from the Barney Flats area. 

Horseshoe with cleats. Artifact was left in situ for future generations. The cleats provided additional traction for snow or muddy conditions and could be helpful on hillsides. Located on a slope, just above Barney Flats. This provides further evidence of the consideration for the animals and their needs in varying working conditions. 

CAMP LIFE FOR THE HORSES

The logging camps, such as Camp 20 were located some 12 miles northeast from Bellemont, and camp 21 was near Fort Valley (LUMBERJACK, page 1.) According to the LUMBERJACK (Volume 1, #8, December 1923, pages 6,7) Camps 21 and 22 were the most up to date:

"...This consists of men shacks, substantially built, with ample comfortable accommodation for two men and horse barns with capacity enough to stable two horses. These shacks and barns are portable so that when camp is struck, they are picked up by the loaders, placed on log cars and moved to the next location...in one day. The blacksmith shops are made on the same plan but in two sections and the hay roofs are also portable..." 

  Horses were ascribed as being "...Magnificent specimens of horse flesh...Eighty in number, there are no finer animals in the country. Their ages range from five to seven years and their average weight...eighteen hundred pounds (page 7.)" Judging from context of the article, the men took great pride in their horse teams. These faithful steeds were well-groomed, fed a healthy diet, and given adequate shelter from the elements. The Company provided portable horse barns, hayracks for ample feed, and a blacksmith to ensure the health and well-being of the animals. At eighteen hundred pounds, they demanded respect! At the end of the season, the horses were provided a well-earned vacation, having been moved to the warm climate near Glendale, Arizona, or the Salt River Valley area. The call to return the horses to the logging camps was a noteworthy event, for this meant that logging would once again begin: "A finer bunch of horses never passed through Williams" (Williams News, May 4 & 11, 1912.)    

Such comments reflect the company's attitude to the horse; not only were they prized, but in many ways cared for and treated equally as the human component. Although some form of healthcare may have been provided for an injured worker, the horse was privileged to have the blacksmith on site in the remote camps. All of their needs, including the humble but necessary iron shoe, were provided as close to the work area as possible. The tack could be repaired or replaced in camp, or with a train ride away new items could be sent via the commissary cars. Shelter and hay racks were just as important as the two-man shack and dining hall. 

 At the small yet neatly organized museum, located in the Visitor's Center in Williams, a panarama photograph is proudly displayed. This image shows the woods crew near camp, somewhere (author's thought the Kendrick Mountain area) on the Saginaw lines. Proudly displayed are a number of horse teams with their handlers, all in fine fit with splendid stature. The horse teams appear to be assigned, or owned, by the same teamsters. This resulted in a tight bond and trust between the two species.