The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-03-19
Destructive Fire at the State Prison.

A destructive fire occurred at the State
Prison on Wednesday of last week, re-
sulting in heavy losses to the State and
parties engaged in the manufacturing bu-
siness. The fire broke out soon after
twelve o'clock, in the northeast wing of
the manufacturing buildings, occupied by
Messrs. &. Ii. Lathrop & McNaughton,
in the manufacture Of agricultural inple-
ments. This is one of the largest con
tracing firms connected with the prison;
they employed upwards of one hundred
convicts aud q large number Of mechanics.
Their machinery was very extensive, and
consisted of all the various modern i'm
provements used for the purpose of man
ufaciuring heavy and light implements.
The fire was not discovered 10 time to
save any of this, and il WAS all complete
ly lost. Besides this, large number of
agricultural implements, mostly unfinish-
ed, and considerable quantity of season.
ed material, were destroyed. Their loss,
we are informed, is about $25,00O. They
were insured for $4,000. The building,
which cost the State some seven or eight
thousand dollars, was all burned except
the walls and foundation.
Itrequired the greatest exertion to keep
the fire from the adjoining buildings on
either side. The one on the south is oc-
cupied by Mr.. Henry Gilbert, an extensive
manufactured of cabinet ware and furni-
ture, who employs one hundred convicts
and quite number of mechanics. The
adjoining building, on the northwest, is
used by Messrs. Wilmington, Cooley &
Co., manufacturers of agricultural imple-
ments, who have about fifty convicts in
their employment. Mr.. Gilbert's estab-
lishmcnt was apparently in the greatest
danger, and everything was removed
therefrom. The progress Of the conha-
grafton, however, was arrested before do
ing any particular damage TO the above
named establishments. Mr.. Gilbert's loss
was considerable in the breaking up of
machinery and furniture consequent upon
hasty removal. By the burning of the
building next TO him, he was also cut off
from the large steam engine, whence he
derived all tho power for propelling his
manufacturing machinery. This will COM
pei him to suspend manufacturing opera
tiens for time, and his loss in couse-
quence will be considerable.
The three city fire engines were at the
prison in q very short time after the alarm
was given, and the entire fire department
worked with a will until the flames were
subducd, and large number Of fremen
and citizens remained all night with the
engines, to watch the still burning and
smouldering ruins. We venture the opin-
ion that no other set of fremen would
have worked harder, or to better advan-
tage, than did our own iremen on this oc-
cason.
The citizen employees of the various
contractors, and all connected with The
Prison, did all they could toward extin-
gushing the fire.
The convicts were let loose, and mixed
promiscuously with tho crowd, but they
labored as industriously rs others to save
property. One or two of them, we are
informed, endeavored to escape during the
excitement, but did not succeed.
How, or exactly where the fire originat-
ed is not known.-Jackson Patriot,
1911.