A. B. Buckner's sawmill at Choice siding on the Santa Fe burned in late March 1906. Although the lumber was saved, the mill and its machinery were destroyed. Buckner had purchased the mill in January, two months earlier. Although he had no insurance, he intended to rebuild it. He then proceeded to wheel and deal.
Between July and September 1906, Buckner bought on mortgage as follow: July 7 - a 35-horsepower Garr-Scott engine, one standard Garr Scott sawmill #3256, with friction feed, a 54-inch circular saw; August 7 - mortgaged for cash (?) from San Augustine Grocery Company “6 oxens & My entire stock lbr stack on lbr yd at my mill at Choice Texas, also 1 one portable boiler and engine, and one Garr-Scott sawmill; and on September 24 - for $1,300- his 35-horsewpower engine and boiler and the sawmill with carriage.
Apparently, through multiple mortgages (it is not known if the previous mortgages were released), Buckner was attempting to obtain equipment and operational capital. He must have been able to resume business, for two years later, on April 8, 1908, he mortgaged for a Curtis straight edge, a Curtis saw swage, and a Curtis double-tooth sawmill dog.
This may be the same Buckner who was a partner in two mills several miles away at Neuville.