B. F. W. Broyles operated a steam saw mill at Palestine during the census year ending May 31, 1880. His mill was worth $5000, and he employed six hands over the age of sixteen years. Ten hour days were normal, and wages ranged from $1.00 to $2.30 per day. The mill ran full time, year-round, and two circular saws were utilized in manufacturing sash, doors, blinds, and frames, in addition to 300,000 feet of lumber. Wages paid during the year were $1200. Broyles did not do his own logging.
By 1884, Broyles had taken a partner by the name of Wright. The business was listed as a sawmill in an 1884 railroad directory. Wright & Broyles were located on the northeast corner of Combination and Royal, and south of the tracks of the International & Great Northern. The company apparently provided housing for its workers, for approximately a dozen dwellings were located on company grounds along Regan and Royal Streets.
The planing mill was under the control of W. and G. D. Broyles by 1905. It was still located at Combination and the tracks of the International & Great Northern. It passed into the control of the George D. Broyles Lumber Company and was listed in 1928 and 1934 at Palestine as a planing mill company.