Doing Business at the Roller Mill
Farmers would bring harvested
wheat and grain to the mill and exchange it for flour or meal that had
already been processed and packaged. If they did not have a place to
store the wheat after it was harvested, they could store it at the mill
and pickup flour as it was needed. They received "due" bills for
whatever amount was owed to them. During the year they could come back
at any time and pick up the rest of the flour that was "due" them.
The mill would transact business either by selling directly to the customer or on an exchange basis. The mill exchanged 50 pounds of flour for 100 pounds of wheat. Another common exchange was a bushel of wheat (60 pounds) for 34 pounds of flour and 12 pounds of bran. In addition to flour, cornmeal, and animal feed, local mill customers could purchase garden seeds, livermush and vegetables in season.
Farmers came from all over in their wagons and buggies to have their grain milled. In its heyday, the roller mill not only served Rowan County citizens, but drew customers from as far away as Charlotte and Harrisburg. The mill also was doing a steady business from the railroad line that runs behind the back of the mill. Boxcars of cotton, chickens and feed were shipped out of the old depot. Flour was made for the government during War World I and was shipped by rail from the back of the mill. The mill ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during WWII, providing flour for our soldiers in the field. The mill also served as a social center where customers visited and caught up on local news.
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