Source: The Aldine Centennial History of NSW 1888 Vol II by W.F. Morrison
WILLIAM TUDOR YEAGER, Proprietor of the Oakland Saw Mill, is a native of Canada, and was born near Lubeck in 1889. He arrived in Australia in 1856, and followed the occupation of a gold-miner for a short period. In 1858 he settled in the Richmond River district, and engaged in the shipping trade and timber business. He erected, in 1881, the Oakland Saw Mill, one of the most complete industries of its kind in Australia, the plant of which proves his practical knowledge of the business. Motive power is supplied by one forty-horse power engine, and one ten-horse power engine, which run one bench with twin saws, cutting thirty-six inches deep, and are capable of cutting timber sixty feet in length ; also a vertical breaking-down frame, six foot cut; one gauge frame working up to fourteen saws ; four circular and two crosscut saws, and machines for planing, turning, grooving, and moulding. A steam ten-ton crane is found for hoisting logs from the river to the mill, as also six hoisting appliances in the mill. Extensive yards are adjacent and convenient for loading vessels from the saws, without further handling. The works include a blacksmith’s shop, tramways, and every convenience and facility for working the plant, and there are two punts which are used for conveying hardwood down the river. These punts are capable of carrying 60,000 feet in the log. Mr. Yeager has four vessels employed—viz., the “Neptune,” a three-masted schooner of 221 tons; “Amphitrite,” a 129-tor. steamer; “Emu,” 165 tons; and the “Vesta,” a tug and delivery boat of eighteen-horse power, and of forty-two tons. The mill, when in full working order, employs sixty men, and has a weekly output of 120,000 feet, there being connected with the works an area of 5000 acres, most of which are timbered. Mr. Yeager has erected twenty cottages for the use of his workmen, and a public school and church. He deals in cedar, pine, beech, iron bark, black butt, tallow wood, red and spotted gum, mahogany, mountain ash, teak, and other woods growing in this district. His residence is one of the finest on the river, and situated on a beautiful site. Mr. Yeager well deserves a prominent place in the list of pioneer settlers, as he brought the first steamboat and tug to the river; this was over twenty-five years ago. He remembers the district as a very primitive settlement, boasting only three houses, and is now able to mark the beneficial work done by himself and those hardy settlers of the early days.







Yeagerton School
The building is erected on two-thirds of an acre of level land. It was opened under the name of Oakland Provisional School on 29th June, 1886, being situated opposite the boat-building shed and the Oakland Sawmill, and not far from Oakland House.
The name of the school was changed to Yeagerton on 29th June, 1914. The land which was originally leased on peppercorn rental was later given to the Department by Mr. Yeager, and so it is now vested. The whole school building was raised after 1922, and there is still a scar where one pupil returned after lessons and set fire to his books in an attempt to burn also the building. The eastern verandah was semi-enclosed and a store room added in 1950. An interesting old lamp donated by Mrs. C. Mitchell in 1937 still hangs in the school, but it has not been used since electricity was connected in February, 1957. A new fence was erected also in 1957, and in February, 1958, the western verandah was enclosed to provide an extra room in which is used the projector, marionette and puppet stage, kindergarten material, etc. Modern furniture replaced the long desks in 1956.
Many trees have been planted in the playground over the years, but few have survived. Though the school is flood-free, the district has suffered from several major floods since 1945.
Only nine teachers have been appointed to this school in the 73 years, namely S. Cameron, D. Jones, J. McInnes, EK. Kearns, A. Apps, J. Ramsay, H. Sketchley, C. McKeough and E. Cameron. Mr. Alex. Apps was in charge for 23 years till 1934. Mrs. R. Mitchell is the Sewing teacher. Twenty-four pupils are at present enrolled, representing 13 families. John Yeager, junr., a great grandson of the pioneer, left this school last year with the prospects of a brilliant future. Twelve pupils travel on Kirkland’s passenger bus, some of them up to eight miles, since the school at Buckendoon closed.
The school provides the main meeting place in the area. While the raising of funds is not easy because there is no public hall, the P. and C. Association has done much for the school, especially in the past decade or so, beginning with the laying of a path (material supplied by the Department) and the provision of a radio in 1948. Tuck shops are conducted monthly.
Source: “status quo” published for Education Week 1959.




A fond farewell
The Yeagers were well known for their fair treatment of their employees and as a testament to that, when they sold the mill, the staff got together to have this statement printed onto silk.

Coraki, 31st December 1905
To
Messrs. W. and E. O. Yeager
Oakland
Dear Sirs,
On the occasion of your relinquishing the Saw Milling Business at Oakland, with which you late esteemed father and yourselves have for so many years been identified, we take the opportunity of expressing our sincerest thanks for the many acts of consideration extended to us, as well as your general treatment of us as employees.
As employees of labor we have always found you ever ready to help forward the interests of those in your employ, and the fact that the majority of us have been in the service for so many years must always be taken as clear proof that disaffection has been an unknown quantity, and that contentment with the service has always prevailed.
Before finally severing our connection, we would be glad of you acceptance of this address, which we beg to tender as an expression of our goodwill, and hope that for many years to come you will be spared to further extend and enjoy the benefits accruing to successful and honorable business men.
W.M. BURGESS E.J. SMITH R. STEPHENS J. NORRIS F. FELSCH, SEN T. BRANDON W. WINDSOR A. ROGERS D.COLLINS L. HICKEY J. WILLIS E. FOGWELL, SEN JAS. CLARK | P. HYLAND W. FOGWELL W. STEVEN T. SULLIVAN O. KELLY E. CLARK J. STUART T. McKEAN C. WINDSOR H. NELSON JAS. HOLMES G. HOLMES C. HOLMES | JAS. WINDSOR T. SMITH F. SANDS H. WINDSOR W. FELSCH E. SMITH P. FOGWELL C. SMITH E. FOGWELL C. WILLIS J. DAVIS F. FLOOD |