THE REPUBLICAN

February 2, 1884 – Second Edition

 

FIRE FIEND

The Waupaca Roller Mill of Baldwin & Oborn, in Ashes and Ruin

 

On Saturday night, Jan. 26, just a quarter before twelve o’clock, the fire bells pealed out their frightful alarm, and all who were awakened by the warning, could see plainly Mr. Baldwin’s brick mill was doomed to destruction.  Probably not a third of the inhabitants of the city knew of the fire, however the firemen and many of the citizens who were on the grounds (and on the ice, in the water) rendered effective service in saving the mill of Lord Bros., and the tannery of Mr. C. Johnson.  The engine was first stationed on the banks of the river near the tannery, but the heat soon became so intense that it had to be removed to the other side.  Owing to the packing of the pumps being worn, the streams could not be raised to any great height, but still, the pipemen rendered good service in keeping the east end of the Lord Bros.’ mill, damp enough to prevent igniting, and saving the bridge from destruction.  The brick walls of the roller mill standing intact until the worse was over, was one of the best features in preventing the heat from destroying the adjoining property.  Another thing; many willing hands carried pail after pail of water to the cupola of the frame mill, where men were stationed, who dashed the water on the fire brands that lodged on the roof, which caught fire several times.  Soon the roof was saturated with water and a coating of ice prevented further danger.  A survey of the cause of this disaster developed the facts that Wallace Baldwin had just come down to the mill and returned to the house to change his clothes, ready for his run which commenced at midnight.  He had just got his clothes changed when he heard the alarm, and started, meeting Andrew Wells one of the employees, who was crazy with fright.  It was soon learned that Wells was fixing a belt and sent a boy to the office for belt strings.  The boy returned for the punch but immediately ran back exclaiming the office was all on fire.  There being no door that could be closed between the office and the main part of the mill, the flames soon communicated with the mill dust, and as the machinery was running the elevator spouts produced a draft upwards and in less time than it takes to write this article, the mill was on fire from basement to cupola.  The supposition is that the lantern in the office exploded, and like the lantern that was kicked over by Mrs. O’Leary’s cow that burned Chicago, so also this lantern got in its work of destruction.  Had there been a barrel of water or a hose attached to a proper pump on the first floor of the mill, when the fire started it could have been saved.  But the neglect of those precautions is in keeping with the accidental neglect of the firm in regard to insurance on this valuable property – there being only $4,000 on mill and $1,000 on stock, carried by the following companies:  Miller’s Mutual of Wis., $2,000 on mill and $1,000 on stock.  Western Manufacturers of Chicago, $2,000 on mill.

THE LOSSES.

                                    Mill, worth                                            $22,000

                                    Wheat, 2,000 bushels                                2,000

                                    Corn, 1,500 bushels                                      900

                                    Oats                                                           500

                                    Rye and Rye Flour                                      200

                                    Wheat Flour                                                200

                                    Ground Feed                                               200

            The total loss as will be seen will be about $26,000.

            Aside from the above losses, is the throwing out of employment a dozen or more laborers connected directly and indirectly with the mill, and the loss of such an enterprise to the place is great.  All we can say is, we hope it may speedly be rebuilt.  The books and paper of value were in the safe and came out all right, and the firm have established headquarters at the bank for the purpose of settling up all the accounts.

            The mill was owned by M. R. Baldwin, Mr. Oborn having leased an interest in the same for a term of years.  Just thirteen years ago Mr. Baldwin sustained a loss by fire on the same site, and he had just nicely commenced to see his way out from the indebtedness incident in buying out old partners, rebuilding and improvements, when the destructive agent, fire, took away the property.  The site is a valuable one and we doubt not, ere another harvest, will be seen in operation there another first-class mill.  Mr. Baldwin hasn’t lost his grip or grit yet, and the combination as heretofore existed would seem to be a good one for the future.