For $165, in 1921, J. L. Phelps bought a small sawmill from W. E. Hines at Bland Lake; the mill would have to be moved, probably to McElroy Switch. A month later, Phelps bought for $600 a complete planing mill, which would be delivered to McElroy Switch. In 1922, Phelps upgraded his steam engine and boiler.
Stewart bought the saw mill from Phelps for $600, including the Ames engine and boiler listed above. Additionally, Stewart received from Phelps another Ames engine and boiler (10x12 and 42x12) from a sawmill in Shelby County that Phelps owned.