Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-10-03
From the Chicago Press Of Oct iss.l
Disastrous Fire Extensive ConAagration attn
Union Car Works.


Disastrous Fire-Extensive conAagration atthe
Union Car works.
Yesterday morning about half past twelve
o'clock the extensive machine shop OF the
Union Car Works Of Messrs. Stone q
Boomer, on South Clark Street, was dis
covered to be in flames. The FIRE was first
seen issuing from the south east corner of
the building, and had al that time made but
little progress, but owing to the exceeding
" eombustible material in its immediate vi
entity, v as soon beyond control, and spread
rapidly 10 all parts Of the building, commu-
nicating thence to the finishing and setting
up shop and the brass foundery, all OF which
with their valuable contents were destroy
ed. The alarm was promptly given and
the tremen were soon upon the spot, and
succeeded BY the most strenuous exertions
in saving the large furnishing shop 'front.'
ing on Clark street, and also the foundery
situated on the north side of the grounds.
The following buildings with their contents
consisting of machinery, stock and work in
process Of construction, were destroyed,
viz: The machine shop leo BY 49, feet
and two stories high, the finishing shop 60
by x feet and two stories. the setting up
shop 4O1z By 1907 feet, with wing 80 by
5StS feet, one story high, and the brass
foundery 80 by 80 feet. In the setting up
shop were twelve cars, one passenger, one
baggage and ten freight. The total loss
may be summed up thus: buildings $1,000;
machinery $4,000; twelve cars $4,000;
stock $4,000 TO $4,000. Total S57, 900
TO $4,000. On the above there was an in
surance of only about $1,000.
The fire was evidently the work OF an in
cendiary. Nessrs. Stone e. Boomer had
in constant requisition every precaution to
guard agsinst accident Of this kind. They
employed two wslchmen constantly on the
ground, and had in The engine room pow
erful steam engine, capable OF throwing wa
ter to any part of the premises. II being
Sunday morning, the steam had been al
lowed to get quite low, and ct the moment
Of The alarm there was but a few pounds
ahead. The engine vas, however, immed
ately started, but from some cause the pump
at fret failed 10 do It's duty, and ,has the
first few Important seconds were lost The
pump was soon righted, and throughout the
fire rendered good service and was Of the
greatest assistance ia saving the other
buildings. The fire was set in the oil room
of the machine shop, probably through the
window by throwing ignited shayings on
the combUstible material. The wind was
fortunately from the northwest. or the whole
premises must have been completely deYas
tstea.
This is loss deeply to be regretted -
Nessrs. Stone g. Boomer are one Of our
most worthy and eBterprising firms, nd this
interruption to their business will be extern
siveiy iet 10 numerous directions. They
have built up in this city business which
has but few if any equals. They had in
their employ about three hundred men, and
were turning GOT two cars per day besides
large smount Of other work.
4 GREAT AATURAL CURIOSITY. A log
eighteen inches long aud teninehes through
was found IN this county, near St Charles.