S.R. Gerson's sawmill near Jewel Marsh was built in 1906. A Mr. Dismukes was a partner in the interest and they planned to begin operations on September 1, 1906. As of August 1906, the partnership controlled 2,000 acres of stumpage. The mill employed at least twenty-five men and had a daily cutting capacity of 25,000 board feet. A mill town soon sprung up which included a commissary, a hotel, and residence houses for the workers. The mill operated until about 1916 when timber in the area became scarce. The mill was then moved west of Silsbee near Fresenius.