J. E. Robinson, noted Panola County records, had bought a sawmill operation from G. A. Lampkin. On July 10, 1904, J. E. Robinson filed a mortgage at the county courthouse. Robinson had mortgaged an Ames engine and boiler at his sawmill, located on fifty acres near Rock Hill, with the Merchant & Farmers National Bank.
According to the Lumbermen's Credit Association's 1905 edition, J. E. Robinson operated a saw mill at Beckville in January, 1905. He had a credit rating of “slow pay.” He was not listed in the 1907 edition of the LCA.