Johnson, in 1880, according to the Census, did his own logging near the Red River. His mill was d to be a $12,000 capital investment. Employees worked a ten-hour day for a total monthly wage of $400. Skilled laborers earned $1.00 daily, and unskilled $.75 The mill worked fulltime six months of the year. With an investment of $1,150 in raw supplies, the mill manufactured 200,000 board feet for a gross value of $2,000.