Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-01-04
The Great Fire.
The Empire Mill and It's
Contents Destroyed.


Wednesday last, the 2Sth of Dec, 1870, by
the total destruc ton by fire of the Empire
FIGURING Mills, ON the west side of the riv-
er, owned by George Smith, Esq, together
with its contents, including large amount
Of -four and wheat The fire broke out at
about nine o'clock, and appeared
to have originated on the I'd floor, although
nothing definite on this point is known.
Those first in the building were SO stihed
and sufocated with smoke that they were
unable to do more than take few books,
papers and $500 in money from the sate
and soon the flames burst forth in all their
fury. The alarm being sounded the Engine
and Hook and Ladder Companies were
promptly on hand, ready to render a Il the
assistance in their power. 1t was not ma
ny minutes before the fire had gained such
an advantage that all attempts at saving
the building seemed futile, and the efforts
of the 6remen and bystanders were next
directed to the preservation ofthe surround
ing property. Immediately on the north
side, and within 40 feet of the mill is situa-
ted the Wooden Factory, owned by MI
Daniel Jones, and containing valuable ma
chinery and stock, and adjoining this
building is the Sash and Door Mandatory
of Mr.. G. B. Lewis. As a precautionary
measure against fire, Mr.. Smith had sur
rounded his mill, which was frame build
ing, with brick walls, and the saving OF
the Wooden Factory is mainly due to this
forethought on the part of Mr.. Smith, tor
all endeavors to save this building would
have been unavailing had not the north
wall of the mill stood as barricade be-
tween the intense heat and angry flames
and the Wooden Factory. Nevertheless i
was only through the most heroic efforts
of the 6remen and others that the FIRE was
confined to its original limits, and thus
most disastrous confagration prevented
The rising flames from the burning mill
lighted up the heavens in such manner
as to be seen by persons living distance
of Is miles, creating a sight at once grand
and awful, and the excitement throughout
the city became Intense, hundreds of our
citizens coming out to witness the terrible
ravages of the fire.
While the flames were at the height of
their fury, there occurred an appalling acct
dent, which carried dismay and consterna-
ton to all hearts. Mr. Nathaniel Blanch
ard, while on the roof of his own mill, on
the opposite side ofthe river, endeavoring
to protect it from the flying cinders, lost
his foot-hod and fell distance of about
forty feet. striking on the ice, breaking both
LEGS and arms, and otherwise injuring him
so fatally, that he survived only IL hours.
In the mean time the flames made rapid
progress and the devouring element held
full sway over the doomed building. The
brick walls, however, still stood the severe
strain aud test, aad the question as to the
safety and destruction of the Wooden Mill,
hung. as it were, in the balance, and could
only be determi ned by the manner in which
the wall nearest the building would fall
At length the period arrived which was to
decide the fate of some $4,000 worth of
property, and down came the immense wall,
which had stood as sentinel, with an i'm
mense crash. A loud shout rang from the
vast throng when it was seen that the wall
fell favorably, the Wooden Mil was saved and
the further destruction Of property stayed.
The night was still and cold, with scarce
ly breath of air stirring-a most favora
bic circumstance for the safety OF the ad
joining property, for had high wind been
blowing the amount of property burned
ould have been immense.
Mr. Lewis prepared for the worst by re
moving the stock from his Door and Sash
Mandatory, meeting with some loss by
its removal. D. Jones & Co. moved most
of their removable stock from the Wooden
Factory, but luckily did not attempt to
take from the building any machinery.
Their loss is but slight considering the
great jeopardy their property was placed in.
Together with the mill and machin-
cry there were destroyed between 5000 and
and 5000 bushels of wheat, and As barrels
of flour, making the total loss about $780,
900, covered by an insurance of SCI, 500,
die uted as follows: $4,000 on mill;
S 500 on machinery 5000 on stock.
The losses are in the following companies
Republic. of Chic ago, $1,000; Security, Of
N. Y, 5000; Home, N. e., $500; Pat
nam, Hartford, $780, Workers, N. Y,
81, 500; State ms. Co., Chicago, $1,000 !;
Buffalo City, $1,000.
This loss falls with great severity on Mr..
Smith, and would crush and dishearten most
of men. 1t is barely six months since his
fine residence and all its valuable contents
were totally destroyed by the fire
fiend which has just laid low his -four
ing mill. The loss of his extensive mill
cannot be viewed in any other light than
that of a great public calamity, the effects of
which are felt by our entire community.