Losses (photo: mill prior to 1921 fire)

Moss’s financial situation was becoming more and more precarious. Collateral for loans in the 19th century, was land, not businesses. This made it hard for Moss, who did not own much land. Also business operated largely on credit. After1865, his Manotick properties were never free of mortgages. Grist mills, were being superseded by roller mills. ( A grist mill in Ottawa, advertised for 130,000 dollars, finally sold for only 85,000 dollars.)

The saw mill burnt down. The Americans raised the duties on Canadian lumber. There was a depression. Moss borrowed from friends and finally 40,000 dollars from a Toronto bank. He was pushed to make payments on the Toronto loan and could not.

Son George, was allowed to lease the mill, and the house, and was able to keep them operating. What to do? The country was opening up and lumber would be required. Moss and George applied to the ministry of the interior, for timber limits in the North West Territories. George acquired 50 square miles at the Berens river, in Manitoba, and Moss obtained 50 Square miles at the Little Swan river, in Saskatchewan. Before the business could become operational, a legal inspection had to be made. Moss, no longer a young man, traveled to Winnipeg, with a lawyer, and then north to the holdings. There were impediments, a fire, lack of affordable transport, and legal problems, so the enterprise did not ‘get off the ground’.