Lafayette Smitherman mortgaged with J. M. Hickey for a boiler, steam engine, blacksmithing tools, and sawmill fixtures on February 1, 1907, according to Panola County records. On October 23, 1907, John L. Needham mortgaged with Smitherman for the sawmill, including the boiler, engine, edger, etc, for either $700 or $800. On November 19, 1908, Needham, for $900, remortgaged the sawmill. Needham leased the grounds and other equipment for two years, at the completion of such time he could then move the sawmill.
Smitherman, according to Panola County documents, was engaged in the milling business before buying the Murvaul Creek sawmill. He may have either had his sawtimber milled on contract or he may have leased a sawmill before 1907. In August 1906, he sold lumber to Bouland & Kyle of Tenaha for $1,200. The lumber was at a mill near Panola City and 300 ties and 45,000 feet of lumber was at a second mill, one near Paxton in Shelby County.