THE WAUPACA POST

November 5, 1891

 

FIRE.  FIRE.

 

The Star Mill Burns on Wednesday.

LOSS, $9,000.  INSURANCE, $6,000.

 

                        A few minutes after 8 o’clock yesterday morning smoke was discovered issuing from the roof of the Star Mills and in a few moments a blaze burst forth.  An alarm was quickly given, and the fire company made a quick response  As usual, however, there was something the matter with the engine, and it was seven minutes after the engine was set and hose laid, before a stream was secured.  By that time the entire roof was ablaze, and it was seen that the building was doomed. The fire ladies made a brave fight, but the dryness of the building, and the strong wind from the west, made their efforts useless.

            Attention was then paid to the outbuildings, and the fire was kept confined to the mill itself.  The hand engine was brought out, placed on the bank of the river, near the tannery, and a stream from it turned on Baldwin’s potato warehouse, which was thus saved.  Meanwhile the streams from the fire engine kept the fire under control, and saved the warehouse just west of the mill, though only a ten foot alley was between them.  The fire was a very hot one and it was only by putting up boards in front of the pipemen that they could get near the fire.

            A good deal of feed, stock, belting, etc., was carried out before the fire got down below the second story.  There was not a very great amount of stock on hand, so the loss will be mainly on the building itself.  This is estimated to be worth from $7,000 to $9,000, with $6,000 insurance.

            The origin of the fire is a mystery, although Mr. Lord thinks it started from the chimney, which was in the west end of the building.  He thinks the fire started there and the wind blew it along the roof, to the cupola, where it broke out.  There had been a fire in the stove for the past few days, and it is possible that the chimney caught fire, thus starting the wood work.

            The Star mill was built in 1868, and has been owned by many men since that time. G. L. and W. C. Lord owned it prior to 1885, when Baldwin and Bailey bought it.  Bailey bought out Baldwin in 1886, and deeded the mill to E. Coolidge on Jan. 1^st, 1890.  After the Coolidge failure, W. C. Lord foreclosed a mortgage for about $4,500, and a year later, on Oct. 13, 1891, was given a deed of the property. He had been working for the past two weeks getting the mill in shape to be run, and intended to start up today.

            About eight years ago the mill on the site across the river and opposite the Star mill, burned to the ground, and it was only through great efforts and good luck that the Star mill did not go at that time.  The building was very old, and very dry, and burned like kindling wood.

            Olson & Yorkson had sold what feed they had to Mr. Lord, but the lose a small amount on wheat and bags not insured.