John R. Jones is the proprietor of one of the largest lumber mills in the State, which was established by the present proprietor in 1870, and took the name of Caddo Mills. The mills, yards, etc., cover an area of five acres of land along the river and the value of the plant is estimated at $250,000. This mammoth concern is the outgrowth of a small business started by Mr. Jones at the abovementioned date, and he now is an extensive dealer in all kinds and sizes of rough and dressed lumber, sash, doors, blinds and shingles. He has a trade that extends throughout all sections of the West and Southwest, and even into Mexico. Its capacity is 50,000 cubic feet per day, and sixty-five hands are given employment the year round, but besides this establishment Mr. Jones is the owner of an extensive mill eighty miles south of Shreveport, on the New Orleans Pacific road, the value of this plant being $200,000, and the capacity 75,000 feet per day.

In connection with this mill there are twelve miles of railroad, which is used to convey logs from the interior of the forest to the mill, and in this concern a tree can be taken at the stump, and when done with put into a first-class building in any shape or size that is required. Pine wood is cut exclusively here, eighty hands are employed and the product of both mills per year is about 20,000,000 feet of lumber.

The mention of Mr. Jones' name in lumber and building circles carries with it, for obvious reasons, a prestige and confidence seldom enjoyed by any firm, and this is in a large degree owing to the pluck and business capabilities always shown by Mr. Jones. He is now in a position to meet all competition, and makes prices as low as the lowest, and although he started in the business in a humble way, he has through his own exertions, built up a trade second to none. The lumber trade of this section has given Shreveport an importance in this branch of business, and one which has added much to her commercial reputation, and Mr. Jones has been largely instrumental in bringing about this desirable result. He was born in Wales, but when very young left his native land to come to America, and in 1865 he settled in Shreveport, La., commencing his business career as a clerk. He is interested in a number of enterprises besides his mills, being a director in the Building Association, the Gas Works Company, Belt Railway, besides other concerns.