graine.html

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., October 19, 1916, page 1
Includes photograph

FIRST YEAR BUSINESS FOR CENTERVILLE ELEVATOR PROVES SATISFACTORY

After thirty-eight years of grain growing in the Klickitat Valley the grain sack problem, that is adding to the cost of wheat raising to such an alarming extent on account of the high cost of the burlap bags used, has been solved by the farmers of the Swale section of the lower Klickitat Valley by the erection of an elevator in the Town of Centerville on the Goldendale branch of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway. Spurred into action by the extreme high figure that grain bags were quoted at last spring and unsatisfactory returns on shipments of sacked grain made out of the 1915 crop to the Eastern market, several of the leading wheat growers around Centerville got together and started out with subscription lists for funds to finance the building of an elevator. After getting a sufficient amount pledged to carry the project through a corporation was formed having a paid up capital stock of $17,000.00 with shares at $50 each. A contract was let to a Spokane firm for the construction of a substantial elevator building out of 2x3 timbers set on concrete piers put down to bed rock with bins having a capacity of 75,000 bushels. The plant is equipped with modern machinery for handling and cleaning grain in bulk, power being furnished by an electric motor. The office department is also equipped with an up to date system for keeping track of the farmer's grain. The cost of getting the entire plant in running order totaled a little less than $17,000.00. The result of the first season's run has been more than gratifying to the men behind the enterprise and the concern will pay an unexpected dividend. 100,000 bushels of grain have been handled and grain sold by the growers who put their wheat in the elevator has brought them prices which enabled them to clear the price that they would have had to pay for burlap bags if the grain had been harvested in sacks, a net differential in money of 5 cents per bushel. In addition the handling of the grain in bulk has made a great saving in harvest labor over the old method of handling it in sacks. All shipments have been made to the Eastern market and none of the returns received have contained any dockage whatever. The corporation is known as the Centerville Elevator Company and in addition to handling grain the articles of incorporation provide for the buying, selling and fattening of livestock and the conducting of a general business in the handling of all farm and mill products. George Garner, one of the most extensive wheat growers in the Valley is president of the Company and County Treasurer John A. Miller, also a prominent wheat grower of the Swale section, is vice-president and one of the heaviest stock-holders. Directors of the company are: George Garner, John A. Miller, Wilhelm Basi, Henry Yeackel and Matt Crocker. Ex-County Treasurer Jacob Crocker is manager of the plant and W.H. Clifford is assistant manager and grain foreman.