Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Machine and Supply Company shuts doors

After 85 years of repairing and building mill machinery, Gurdon Machine and Supply Company shut its doors March 1.

Owner and operator C.B. Foshee Jr. recently made the decision to shut down the shop in order to care for his wife of 59 years, Janice, who has Alzheimers disease.

I feel I have to take care of my wife and keep her as happy as I can, Foshee said.

For lack of time caring for his wife, Foshees employees managed the shop for a while; but Foshee said he couldnt do the job any justice and, therefore, shut it down.

This closing, which is due to a low point in the timber industry, makes the second time shutting down. Foshee said his father shut it down during the Great Depression for a while when the economy suffered.

The shop was built in 1923 by C.B. Foshees father, C.B. Foshee Sr.

Foshee Jr. worked for him at the shop during his summers until he served in the military during World War II. After the war, Foshee Jr. returned to work at the shop.

In 1971, Foshee Sr. died, leaving the shop under the operation of Foshee Jr.

Since that time, Foshee Jr. has made close companions among his employees throughout his years as owner.

I have really been blessed with some good employees, Foshee said.

Not only were they employees, they were like family ... you couldnt ask for better employees or friends.

Foshee also regrets closing the shop down for his loyal customers.

While there has been some interest in the buying of the shop, Foshee said, I couldnt ask the boys to do more than they were already doing  so I had to shut the doors.