According to John D. Hanes, W. C. Bryan and W. S. Stewart opened a combined grist mill and sawmill in 1873 in an area that became known as Bryans Mill. It was located in northwestern Cass County, twenty-three miles from Atlanta.
Census records reveal that Bryan and Stewart ran a lumber mill in Precinct 3, Cass County, during the census year ending May 31, 1880. They had a d $2000 invested in the operation which employed three men, who were paid $.75 to $1.50 daily. The firm paid out a total of $280 in wages. From $775 worth of sawlogs and supplies, the sawmill produced an unknown amount of lumber worth $1,400. The mill appeared again in Rand, McNally and Company's 1884 directory of lumber mills. Rail express was delivered to Belden.
The operation was small because power was generated by horses. It would have supported the local need for lumber.