Both F. M. Blair and W. T. Norman first appeared (and in error) as independent sawmill owners at Shepherd in the 1907 edition of the Reference Book of the Lumbermen's Credit Association. In March, 1906, F. M. Blair bought from the W. T. Norman tie and stave mill at Norman's Switch near Napier and Shepherd. Smith and Adams held the mortgage while Norman held a first vendor's lien against the property. Property included in the 1906 sale were a portable sawmill, a Cooper boiler and engine, a Cooper carriage and track, a mandrel (the saw, the saw box, and gearing), five oxen, two horses, yokes, chains, and harness.