The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-06-09
BARNESyILLE, OHIO.
Destructive Fire--MeCartney's flour
and Planning Mill Entirely De-
strOyod.

ana PtauinS Mill EuS
strOyod.
From the Enterprise.I
At fifteen minutes before nine o'clock
on Saturday night, our citizens were
again startled by the now familiar cry
Of fire. On Fastening in the direction
Of the sound, the large steam Touring
mill belonging to Henry Mccartney was
discovered wrapped in flames. The
mill was situated on the railroad track,
on the south side OF town, and fortunate
" some distance from other buildings
1t was, however, surrounded by piles OF
lumber and shingles, which it was i'm.
possible to move beyond the reach OF
the flames.
The fire originated in room above
the boilers, but entirely separate from
the furnace room. 1t is impossible 10
tell how it started. Mr.. Mccartney
was in the room about half an hour be-
fore the fire was discovered, and lett
that portion Of the mill and the whole
building, as he thought in security.
The fires were allowed to go down about
six o'clock His theory is that a spark
entered the room during the day and
smonldering there for hours, at last
broke into flame. The room where the
fire was first seen was used TOR storing
old boxes and barrels. In it was also
can of coal oil, but sll this seemed
to he safe enough.
Messrs. Davis and Starbuck, who
have lumber kiln and warehouse near
the burnt property, appears to have
been the first persons that observed the
fire. They were near the mill at the
time. and running TO the southwest cor
ner, saw at once the mill could not be
saved. They then bursted open the
north door and with others managed TO
get out few barrels OF flour. But in
less than five minutes all were forced
from the building, and the old mill ex.
pired in a grand pageant OF flames.
The heat was so intense that il was
very difficult to protect the neighboring
buildings The brick warehouse of
Davis and Starbuck, on the northeast,
was in great danger. BY the exertions
OF the hook and ladder company, as.
sisted by some daring volunteers, the
building was saved from destruction.
At one time the root caught fire below
chimney, at spot where water could
not be thrown. But men were there
brave enough to face the danger, and
by great exertions they conquered the
greedy enemy.
On the east was a row OF tenement
houses known as Reeds Row, inhabited
by working people, who Immediately
packed up and prepared to migrate.
The rapidity with which the mill
burned, rather than the exertioDs OF
the people, saved these buildings.
THE LOSSES.
The mill property was owned by Mr..
Henry Mccartney and the business wa-
managed 10y himself and son At the
time Of the fire 1t contained fifty barrels
OF flour seventeen Of which were re.
moved. 1t also contained two hundred
bushels of wheat belonging 10 the firm,
and one hundred that had been lett by
customers, forty bushels of corn and
large quantity OF feed The mill was in
excellent order and furnished with good
machinery. There was alse planning
mill and a shingle machine, belonging
to Mr. Hartley lesket, two corn
shelters and some other machinery.
The burned lumber also belonged to the
latter gentleman His loss is estimated
at $500, upon which there was an in.
surance OF $500. Mr.. McCartney's loss
is fully $1,000 He had received pol
icy few days before the fire tor S27O0
THE OLD MILL
was one Of the ancient landmarks Of
Barnesville. Its history extends back
to ISIS when it was erected by JOINT
stock company organized by James
Barnes, EsI, the founder OF Barnes
vile, seven years after it was laid out.
1t was used at first as a Touring mill
and wooden factory. In few years
the company failed, and the entire pres
sure Of its Indebtedness fell on Mr.
Barnes, and so damaged his fortune that
he never recovered from lis effect The
woolen factory was in operation till
1885 when the machinery was removed
and saw mill attached 10 the Touring
mill in It's stead. The saw mill after.
wards DISAPPEARED, and the establish.
meut pa-sed through various hands un.
til purchaset by Mr Mccartney, who