 He decided to enter the lumber business ("investing in a sawmill and a construction company in Longwood, Fla."), and in 1885 Demens was supplying railroad ties to the narrow-gauge Orange Belt Railway.When the railroad could not pay its debts, Demens took over its charter.As owner of the railroad, Demens "[extended] its lines to link Kissimmee with Jacksonville and Tampa Bay" (with the help of Hamilton Disston).