This file relates to the Biltmore Forest School, begun by Carl Schenck with the encouragement and support of George Vanderbilt in 1898. The school continued at Biltmore until Schenck's departure in 1909. The file contains letters of inquiry from prospective students and persons seeking general information on Biltmore Forest School.

This file relates to the Biltmore Forest School, begun by Carl Schenck with the encouragement and support of George Vanderbilt in 1898. The school continued at Biltmore until Schenck's departure in 1909. The file contains letters of inquiry from prospective students and persons seeking general information on Biltmore Forest School. February 6, 1906- Dr. Schenck tells a potential student that Biltmore Forest School is the only technical school of forestry in the United States. It only teaches forestry from the practical, investors' standpoint.

Correspondence from individuals seeking employment from Dr. Schenck.

August 20, 1896- Benoni Lockwood Jr. congratulates Dr. Schenck on his marriage. He would like the snake skin and rattles Cogborn [Coburn] was paid to send him.

February 8, 1899- Richard Lamb, Civil & Electrical Engineer will show Dr. Schenck his electric cableway for use in logging. It is on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal.

Price list of engines and boilers from James Leffel & Co. Springfield, Ohio.

Advertisement showing eight wheel log wagons and self-loading skidders from Lindsey Wagon Co. Laurel, MI.

February 16, 1903- On February 10, 1903, The Asheville Transfer Company will open a branch in Biltmore named Asheville-Biltmore Express CO.

July 29, 1904- Order for oak chairs and a table from Dr. Schenck. Order of "Sanitas."

October 29, [1900?]- T. L. Lance needs to know if Dr. Schenck wants his or her land. Marked [Tract] 465.

November 3, 1902- I. B. Ledbetter writes of land sales with McNamee and Schenck.

July 15, 1907- Photograph postcard showing standing pine that was sold in Newfane, VT. *The postcard may be from Doctor Howe.

Correspondence concerning sales of lumber and firewood. May 23, 1903- Wm. P. Long of Brevard Tannin Company asks that wood not be split very fine. The Biltmore Tannin Company does not care who is elected as Brevard postmaster, "as long as he is a good man."

September 2, 1903- Brevard Tannin Company does not want the bark that was damaged by rain that season.

Dr. Schenck's correspondence with various lumber companies that purchased or considered purchasing Biltmore lumber, especially Poplar.

April 11, 1907- O. G. Ledbetter's report on local suppliers of firewood, including prices for loading the wood. February 1, 1909- Copy of a sarcastic letter to LeBarbe, Moale & Chiles, who offered timber from the Rachel Spain estate.

Correspondence relating to C. A. Schenck & Co.

No date- "Southern Progress" magazine to begin publication. Charlotte, N.C. Letterhead reads, "Undeveloped Resources of the South: Investments for Capital."

April 14, 1905- Dr. Schenck to advertise in "Forestry Quarterly" of Ithaca, N.Y. This was Fernow's publication.

May 11, 1907- Packet of testimonial letters from lumber dealers who advertised in "The ST. Louis Lumberman."

Correspondence from people wishing to sell living animals to Biltmore Estate.

December 21, 1904- Letter and blank contract from prospective investor. The proposed contract is for George Vanderbilt to lease Biltmore Estate's exclusive hunting and fishing privileges to New York investors for one dollar, for one year. The contract could be renewed for twenty-five years.

November 29, 1898- William T. Little, Custodian of Oklahoma Historical Society and Vice-President of Oklahoma Territory of the American Forestry Association, seeks information for a presentation and for proposed legislation.

February 13, 1906- E. R. Lake, Dept. of Botany, Oregon Agricultural College wishes to use Dr. Schenck's texts for the undergraduate and graduate classes in forestry, which they are planning.

July 12, 1907- The American Forestry Association wishes to place some of Dr. Schenck's books on their standing books list.

October 22, 1897 and March 27, 1899- Dr. Schenck purchasing a series of leaf-charts from Mrs. Grace Anna Lewis in Media, PA.

Requests from people wishing for passes to camp and fish in the forest.

Includes April 1905 letters from A. Lytle requesting his or her pay.

October 2, 1899- Rob. W. Lyman will leave school to go to work.

Two non-dated letters from Graham M. Leupp.

September 2, 1905- Non-signed letter, probably from J. Duncan Lawrence, Deputy Commissioner of State of New York Forest, Fish and Game Commission. Will marry against his father's wishes and go into the lumbering and milling business in Oregon, with the goal of becoming a consultant. Saw interesting U.S. Government work on the Lewis & Clarke Reserve.

February 9, 1906- Otto Lachmund, a lumber company manager, closed his Chicago office and moved West.

May 6, 1907- Associate Director of Biltmore Forest School writes to Hughes Lindsey, who is on probation and recovering from an illness in Biltmore.

May 9, 1907 and non-dated- Hughes Lindsey writes that Dr. Holmes is making him stay and recover.

December 8, 1898- Dr. Schenck writes A. A. Long about Tract 268.

February 23, 1900- Hanford N. Lockwood's mare broke loose and ran into Dr. Schenck's carriage.

May 3, 1901- J. C. Loftis found Lyda Banther in his or her illicit distillery on George Vanderbilt's land.

Non-dated letter to Dr. Schenck from Anna Austin Lord. Dr. Schenck gave her $20 for Lindley Training School. Lord was McNamee's mother-in-law.

Letters from various lumbering publications. October 15, 1906- The Lumbermen's Club of Cincinnati invites Dr. Schenck to their annual meeting.

July 7, 1908- Letter with attached "North Carolina Sample Page from the Originating Section of the General Lumber Tariff" and "Pennsylvania Sample Page from the Delivering Section of the General Lumber Tariff."

January 3, 1909- Letter about Scandinavian game birds, which George Vanderbilt considers releasing.April 5, 1909- Dr. Schenck answers a March 30, 1909 letter from The Lumbermens Bureau, asking if a lumber Inspection Department would be a successful business. Dr. Schenck notes, under the auspice of the Hardwood Manufactures' Association, a lumber inspection school will begin at Biltmore Forest School.

Non-dated clipping, "Lumbermen to Visit Puget Sound. Nebraska Delegation to Come to Seattle Twice in Coast Tour.."

Correspondence from James D. Lacey & Co. Timber Lands. Chicago, IL. April 27, 1907- Hired Biltmore Forest School graduate Howard E. Waterbury. More on hiring Biltmore Forest School graduates.

Correspondence from John Lafon Jr. November 22, 1903- Finishing train road in Bear Pen Cove. Surveyed train road up West Horse Cove.

August 15, 1904- Pay Artilus Ducker for his help.

September 5, 1904- Surveying at Moses [Creek?].

September 18, 1904- Students doing good work. Finished at Caney Forks. Now working at Sol's Creek. It was okay to allow Backus into [C.A. Schenck and ?] Company.

December 24, 1904- Lafon surveying in West Virginia.

January 9, 1905- Working at Drew Lumber Company in Alton, FL.

March 13, 1905- Working in Bee Springs, KY. for Edmonson Co.

May 13, 1905- Leaving for Hot Springs, N.C. due to his health.

May 18, 1905- Unable to walk without crutches.

May 23, 1905 and June 2, 1905- Still very ill with rheumatism. Leaving for his home in Harrodsburg, KY.

July 22, 1905- Lafon has eye trouble and walks with a cane. Can't work this summer.

July 31, 1905- Physician says Lafon can return to work in three weeks. Accepts a new surveying job.

August 31, 1905- Dr. Gruner in Asheville promises to cure his rheumatism in a month.

February 1, 1906- Rheumatism is worse. Will not be able to take position with Highland Forest Company on February 15th. Will change doctors.

June 12, 1906- Copy of a letter to Lafon on Highland Forest Company paper. "Asheville Citizen" did an alleged interview with Thomas A. Edison. Said Edison had discovered cobalt in several N.C. counties, including Jackson County; and that Edison has left men to do further investigations.

June 18, 1906- Description of timber on Dark Ridge Creek wanted by Boice + Buchanan. Tax information on the following lands and their values: Scotts Creek Township, Sylva Township, Cullowhee Township, Cane Creek and [Werra Huita?] Creek, Caney Forks Township, Moses Creek, Caney Forks and Johns Creek. Edison was in Jackson County looking for cobalt last week.

June 11, 1906- References to Buck Knob. Wily Henson holding out on quit claim deed. Reports on other work.

July 2, 1906- Highland Forest Company involved in a boundary dispute, possibly with Boice + Buchanan. Had the Balsam Trail cleared.

August 6, 1906- Lease of the millyard at Willets, N.C. expires in June. Lafon renting a warehouse to store corundum and the millyard.

September 9, 1906- Opening up copper mine at Caney Fork Bald. Mr. Sterrett also found mica veins. Will leave to examine kaolin vein on Black Mountain.

October 1, 1906- Found a very promising vein of copper at Caney Fork Bald. Sterrett asks for a mining engineer. Opened some tunnels at the kaolin prospect on Black Mountain.

April 29, 1907- Suits against Jeptha Hendricks and Jefferson Hooper. Lafon looked over the Queen Tract, Cathcart #35. Dealing with T. C. Mills for his land, Cathcart #36. Captain Love says the heirs of James R. Love in TN. refuse to sign the quit claim deed. Will have to redo Holmes and Emigh's surveying work at the mouth of Caney Fork.

June 7, 1907- Did not endorse Mary Sitton bond. Jim Love says TN. heirs will sign the quit claim deed.

No date- Lafon accepts position on the Advisory Board of Biltmore Forest School. Believes students should be issued degrees based on practical qualifications as well as scientific attainments. Does not approve of prohibiting students from drinking in open bars.

September 3, 1907- Sent State Grant #472, to Hutson Coward for 50 acres, which is the grant for the Lee Queen tract. Also, deed from Wiley Henson to Lee Queen for the tract.

October 6, 1907- Sending exhibit for Jamestown Exposition.

November 11, 1907- Lafon and G. T. Backus are glad C. A. Schenck and Co. had a prosperous year.

Correspondence from Frank H. Lamb. Hoquiam, WA. January 2, 1899- Planning to study with Dr. Schenck.

September 13, 1899- Busy with "various branches of timber work." Writing from North Western Lumber Company in Hoquiam, WA.

Exchanging literature with Dr. Schenck.

March 29, 1905- Writing as Secretary of Washington Loggers Joint Committee. Hoquiam, WA.

April 7, 1905- Comments on forest fire prevention legislation in Washington and Canada.

February 1, 1909- Pleased with Dr. Schenck's views of lumber tariffs and burning of slashings. Logging Congress to be held July 19 - 21. Lamb says it will "probably be the first gathering of practical lumbermen ever held to discuss logging questions exclusively."

Correspondence from Tazewell H. Lamb. He assisted John Lafon Jr. in Willets, N.C. work.

Correspondence from Irwin Lance. September 14, 1905- When Mr. Allen built the trail from Bent Creek Gap to Glen Gap, Lance boarded Tom Jones. Lance said Jones was not paying him.

September 11, 1906- Lots of hunters on Biltmore Creek.

Raised turkeys.

November 22, 1907- Asks if Bent Creek Boys may go on an opossum hunt.

Correspondence from J. M. Lance. Avery's Creek, N.C. He did sawing, logging and bark peeling for Dr. Schenck. May 27, 1907- Asks Dr. Schenck to write to the Commissioners of Asheville, asking them to build a bridge across the French Broad River near the mouth of Avery's Creek.

Correspondence from M. L. Lance or L. M. Lance. Skyland, N.C. March 1909- J. M. Butler granted an instrument of conveyance and executed it before Buncombe County Justice of the Peace, L. M. Lance.

Correspondence from Sam Lance. Biltmore, N.C. August 28, 1903- T. L. Lance asks to close his trade soon. Sam Lance has Mr. Reeves' land on Biltmore Creek in good shape.

Memorandum saying two cabins were sold to Sam Lance for use as firewood: cabin Starling Bishop bought from Russell Jones and the old cabin on the old Cross Run on the slope of Hickory Top.

Correspondence from David Ely Lauderburn. Worcester, MA. and Balsam, N.C. November 8, 1907- Biltmore Forest School graduate. Working in the lumberyard of Boice + Buchanan Lumber Co. December 10, 1907- Will accept a position with the Harris-Woodbury Lumber Company at [Noland?], N.C.

Correspondence from Robert Tansey Laughlin. Chicago, IL. Includes non-dated wedding announcement for Laughlin and Lulu May Brown. Happy memories of Biltmore Forest School. Would like to attend an alumni reunion.

Correspondence from William R. Lazenby, Professor, Ohio State University, Department of Horticulture and Forestry. Columbus, Ohio. July 25, 1899- Asked Dr. Schenck to present a paper at the meeting of American Forestry Association in Columbus, Ohio. Received publications from Dr. Schenck.

Correspondence from A. LE. COQ & Company Darmstadt, Germany. They considered buying seed, especially Pinus strobus [White Pine], from Dr. Schenck.

Correspondence from A. LE. COQ & Company Darmstadt, Germany. They considered buying seed, especially Pinus strobus [White Pine], from Dr. Schenck.

Correspondence from I. B. Ledbetter, Postmaster. Davidson River, N.C. August 27, 1902- Deputy of Rural Delivery Routes wishes to see Dr. Schenck about the route between Davidson River and the Pink Beds. Ledbetter considered selling land to George Vanderbilt through Dr. Schenck.

Correspondence from Z. T. Ledbetter, Dealer in General Merchandise. Avery's Creek, N.C. November 6, 1902- Sent Dr. Schenck the options on J. L. Reeves' land. Questions on more land options.

Correspondence from J. Hardy Lee. Biltmore, N.C. Accounting information from Biltmore Estate Landscape Department to Dan Marshall and Dr. Schenck. Letters of recommendation for Mr. L. T. Winston and others.

Correspondence from Paul Leighton. Portsmouth, NH. He inquired about Biltmore Forest School.

Correspondence from Lemont & Golay, Proprietors of Tryon Vineyard. Tryon, N.C. They sent Claret to Dr. Schenck.

April 2, 1901- Claret was tested.

June 27, 1905- Can't ship wine to Pisgah. Transylvania County is now "dry."

July 4, 1905- Disguised the wine and sent it.

Correspondence from T. H. Lindsey, Photographic and Scenic Artist. Asheville, N.C. February 7, 1897- Prints from Pink Bed negatives are ready.

Mix-ups with Pinchot's orders of negatives.

April 29, 1899- Business with Biltmore Estate has decreased to the point where Lindsey can no longer hire an assistant.

Correspondence from G. W. Linzer. Savannah, GA. He applied for a Ranger position.

Correspondence from William E. Litchfield. Boston, MA. He considered sending a young man to Biltmore Forest School.

Correspondence from Frank Littleford of The Littleford Lumber Co. Cincinnati, Ohio. October 24, 1904- Searching in Western, N.C. for good hickory to make handles.

Announcement- On January 1, 1904 the Company name will change to Frank Littleford & Bros.

Inquired about renting a farm from George Vanderbilt.

August 25, 1904- Surveyed the hickory on Busbee Mountain with Mr. Wicker. Suggested making handles of Busbee timber and from the timber of the Waynesville district.

August 23, 1906- Company name changed to Littleford Hardwood Company.

Correspondence from C. G. Logan, Undertaker and Embalmer. Waynesville, N.C. He applied for passes to visit Mount Pisgah.

Correspondence from T. T. Loftis, Clerk of Superior Court, Transylvania County. Brevard, N.C. Bills for George Vanderbilt's court cases. Includes information on the Frank McCall and R. J. Pickelsimer cases.

Price quotations from Logan & Co. Wholesale Grain and Hay. Nashville, TN.

Correspondence from Longmans, Green & Co., Publishers. New York, N.Y. They wanted to sell textbooks. Requested Biltmore Forest School catalogs.

Correspondence from Geo. C. Loomis, Hardwood Lumber. Asheville, N.C. Acted as a sales agent for Biltmore lumber to R. B. Wheeler & Co. Notes on shipping and lumber freight rates.

Correspondence from Geo. C. Loomis, Hardwood Lumber. Asheville, N.C. Acted as a sales agent for Biltmore lumber to R. B. Wheeler & Co. October 3, 1904- R. B. Wheeler & Co. said not to send any more oak from Biltmore's stock because the texture was too hard. Notes on "mountain oak."

Correspondence from Frank Howard Lord. New York, N.Y. July 23, 1896- Cannot sell Biltmore Lumber Company stock at Schenck's prices. Includes a list of stock with corrections from Lord. Insurance for Dr. Schenck's house and furniture.

Correspondence from Otto J. Luebkent, Acting Chief. U.S.D.A., Division of Forestry. Washington D.C. Letters regarding vouchers for travel expenses and the employment of assistants.

December 20, 1902- Asks Dr. Schenck to present a paper at the American Forestry Association's annual meeting.

November 2, 1903- Luebkent resigned from the Bureau of Forestry. Manager at the Washington D.C. office of The American Audit Company.

December 17, 1908- Writes as Treasurer of the American Forestry Association. Dr. Schenck believes he is appointed to a commission on Forest Conservation. States that states in the Northern part of the U.S.A. can control forest fires, but in the South, Federal help is needed.

Correspondence from T. P. Lukens. U.S.D.A., Bureau of Forestry. Pasadena, CA. He sent conifer seed and cones to Dr. Schenck.

Correspondence from G. B. Lull. State Forester, California. Sacramento, CA. He asked Dr. Schenck to attend a meeting of the California State Forest Officers.

Correspondence from Lumber-Mineral Company. Hot Springs, N.C. They wanted advice on flumes.

Correspondence from "The Lumber Review." Chicago, IL. Correspondence concerning Dr. Schenck's subscription.

Correspondence from "Lumber Trade Journal." New Orleans, LA. September 25, 1901- Sample advertisement for Biltmore Forest School. Includes beautiful artwork.

August 8, 1904- C. A. Schenck and Co. advertised with them.

Correspondence concerning Dr. Schenck's subscription.

Correspondence from "The New York Lumber Trade Journal." New York, N.Y.

Correspondence from V. S. Lusk. Asheville, N.C. April 26, 1894- Biltmore Estate fishing permit.

May 23, 1904- Request for an extension of a fishing permit, with humorous comments on fishing.

Plans to survey Glouster land. Lusk ill with the gripe.

June 18, 1907- Planning a trip to deal with disputed McCall boundary and to go fishing.

June 30, 1907- Elaborate commentary on nature and blessing on Dr. Schenck after fishing trip.

July 7, 1907- More on Frank McCall lawsuit.

Correspondence from S. J. Luther. Luther, N.C. Exchanged land, [Tract] 118. January 2, 1903 letter says it adjoins the Morgan Pasture land near Mount Pisgah in the Horse Cove on the headwaters of Big Creek in Henderson County.

Peeling and exchanging bark.

Estimated bark with John O'Kelley.

April 13, 1907- Copy of a letter with an attached blank contract for the 1906 lease of bark.

May 18, 1907- Right of way issues.

Correspondence from J. D. Lyman. New York, N.Y. Writes to Dr. Schenck about his experiments with planting white pine, especially the thinning and pruning. January 4, 1900- Asks about "rotten knots" in trees.