The biggest commercial enterprise in Gradyville in 1938, according to historian James H. Keltner, was the Les Dudley Lumber Mill.

It was located on the banks of Big Creek, within a stone's throw of Hob's Store.

Two of the most important members of the mill crew were Ole Buck and Ole Dick, Bunyanesque oxen used to snake logs around the lot.

The smaller of the two oxen weighed 1,100 pounds, the larger 1,300, according to Haskell Rogers, a brother of Ogle Rogers, the team's handler.

When the mill was at its peak, there were 75-100 men working, altogether, counting both those at the lot and the workers in the woods.