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60line in what was once the town of Ewing. In 1967, after its post office closed, Ewing became part of Brownstown. After entering, I saw that the interior of the mill was vast, with high ceilings held up by solid wood beams and towering columns. In the center of the room, stood a row of four roller mills, each with snaking aluminum tubes leading elsewhere. I was especially impressed with their wood cases, which had viewing windows. Phil pointed to the end one, saying it was just like the one his family had donated to the Smithsonian Institution.For years, the entire Ewing operation had been powered by steam. Downstairs Phil showed us the boiler in a back room. It was a massive, cast-iron beast, originally fired by wood%u2014later by coal and corn cobs. The steam engine itself was long gone, having been scrapped during WW II. Phil picked up an old pressure gauge lying nearby. Slowly, he looked it over. It held many memories. Almost reverently, he placed it back down.I mentioned how much I admired the heavy wood columns%u2014assuming they were original. %u201cNo,%u201c Phil said, %u201cThose were put up in %u201842 after a fire gutted part of the mill.%u201d It%u2019s believed a spark from a passing locomotive caused the conflagration. Phil next revealed a bit about himself. He went to Kansas State University, graduating from the Four GenerationsIt was a moment of mixed emotions for Phil Robertson, as he unlocked the door to his old mill. This had been a family business%u2014owned and operated by Robertsons for four generations. But recently, the property had been auctioned off. The final closing would take place in a few days. Now, as Phil showed John and me around, it was obvious how proud he was of this place.%u201cMy great grandfather started this mill back in 1880, along with four other fellows,%u201d Phil explained. It was called the Ewing Mill Co., but that eventually changed to The Robertson Corporation. It%u2019s located along a Jackson Co. rail The Robertson Corp. (Milling room.), Brownstown%u2014Jackson Co. (763.10)The Robertson Corp., Brownstown%u2014Jackson Co. (758.07)