A.D.
We regulars at the sawmill took our job in stride. Even though it was indirectly associated with Shiloh, as an ‘off-campus’ revenue source, we shared a camaraderie that had a cohesion that was not always as evident in other departments that had a revolving infusion of visitor labor. As part of the core crew, we all slept in the same room, often went out together, and kind of viewed ourselves as a frontline in the pursuit of the ‘kingdom’.
After acclimating to the initial shock of the whole operation, it just became a job like any other, except for the fact that we were the only work-crew at Shiloh that worked outdoors all year around. During the winter, we would keep the outhouse seat hanging over the woodstove in the upper mill and bring it out with us to take care of business. If we did it any other way we would risk having our butt freeze to the throne.
During the winter of ‘78-’79, a huge snowfall collapsed the roof of the lower mill. I remember bundling up with everything I owned and walked from Shiloh to check it out with the wind-chill temperature at 40-below 0. What fun.
Our favorite song in those days, with the Stones getting a second wind in broad popularity, was ‘Beast of Burden’, which we played loud and proud with the best boombox we had. We worked hard at making a challenging situation as much fun as possible.
Apart from all the ways in which one could be injured or maimed, the overall experience of being a part of the sawmill crew was as enjoyable to be around as any in Shiloh. I survived intact to live another life.
We regulars at the sawmill took our job in stride. Even though it was indirectly associated with Shiloh, as an ‘off-campus’ revenue source, we shared a camaraderie that had a cohesion that was not always as evident in other departments that had a revolving infusion of visitor labor. As part of the core crew, we all slept in the same room, often went out together, and kind of viewed ourselves as a frontline in the pursuit of the ‘kingdom’.
After acclimating to the initial shock of the whole operation, it just became a job like any other, except for the fact that we were the only work-crew at Shiloh that worked outdoors all year around. During the winter, we would keep the outhouse seat hanging over the woodstove in the upper mill and bring it out with us to take care of business. If we did it any other way we would risk having our butt freeze to the throne.
During the winter of ‘78-’79, a huge snowfall collapsed the roof of the lower mill. I remember bundling up with everything I owned and walked from Shiloh to check it out with the wind-chill temperature at 40-below 0. What fun.
Our favorite song in those days, with the Stones getting a second wind in broad popularity, was ‘Beast of Burden’, which we played loud and proud with the best boombox we had. We worked hard at making a challenging situation as much fun as possible.
Apart from all the ways in which one could be injured or maimed, the overall experience of being a part of the sawmill crew was as enjoyable to be around as any in Shiloh. I survived intact to live another life.