A letter in 1918 from D. E. Hodges to J. W. Terry reveals that Kirby Lumber Company had a subsidiary company named the Santa Fe Tie & Lumber Preserving Company. Kirby Lumber Company on behalf of Santa Fe Tie & Lumber Preserving Company had bought a portable mill known as the “Portable Mill Lyric District” and the Conroe, Byspot, & Northern tram road, the latter belonging to J. O. H. Bennette. The mill was operating in what was called the “‘Chapman Timber.'” Hodges discussed the possibility of erecting a second portable sawmill to operate in the Bennette district.
The intent of the companies was to provide railroad materials to the Santa Fe. According to the letter, Santa Fe was financially involved in the matter but wished to remain anonymous, thus the Kirby Lumber Company was handling the funds.
How long the Lyric mill, or whether a second mill was built, remains uncertain.