Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-07-11
F | R E..
The Also Mills Burned-A Heavy Loss
to the Owners and to the Enterests
of the Country.


About half-past 10 o'clock last night
the alarm of fire was sounded, and our
citizens turned out, to find the Also
Mills in flames. A HERALD reporter
was promptly upon the scene after the
sounding Of the first alarm, and al
ready the building was filled with
flames from the ground floor to the
roof. Soon after, the engine made its
appearance and commenced playing
with two full streams upon the burn
ing building.
THE MILL
Was three-story brick, with the
usual amount of frame inside work of
bins, elevators and machinery, which
all acted like so much tinder to feed
the destroying element. Although
the Fire Company was on hand as
soon as they could be expected, and
though they commenced operations on
the moment and worked manfully
throughout, it was evident from the
first that the mill was doomed to de-
struction.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE
We were unable to learn; but as near
as we could surmise from the circum-
stances, it appears to have been caused
by the heating of machinery in the
rear of the building, on the first or
basement floor. A gentleman who
a nj of ~ 1nI
signs of the approaching cOnfia grafton,
but there were lights in the building,
and the machinery had been running
shortly before. Last evening was the
first time that the mill had been in
operation during the night for a con-
siderable period.
THE STOCK
In the store was quite heavy, COM
posed mostly of corn, with some bar
ley and quantity of -four But little
was saved from the burning building
A few sacks of feed and some flour,
hardly worth mentioning, was taken
out and deposited on the street. The
books and papers were doubtless
saved.
THE BUILDING
Was the property o. Messrs. Eugene
Meyer, Governor Downey and o. w.
Childs. 1t was built about four years
ago and cost, with machinery, about
$30,000. The mill was run by water
power. Messrs. Deming, Palmer &
Co. of san Francisco, were the lesses,
and the institution was operated under
the personal supervision of Mr.. DEM
ing, the senior partner.
THE INSURANCE.
The interests of Governor Downey
and O. w. Childs were insured with
w. J. Brodrick in the State Invest
ment and Insurance Company for
$4,000, which amount, we understand,
will be promptly adjusted and paid.
The other third interest was insured in
the Hamburg and Bremen. The whole
insurance amounted, perhaps, to Sl0,-
600, but probably less than that figure.
The stock of grain and flour owned by
the lessees was not insured, and will
be total loss to that firm.
THE LOSS
VIII be heavy on all concerned; but
it is more to be deplored perhaps as it
regards the interests of the country.
Our milling facilities are already linn
tied far below the demands of this
section and we can lily afford to spare
so efficient All establishment as the
Also Mills, especially at this time,
just before the opening of the wheat
season. However, the loss falls upon
those who are abundantly able to re-
place it, and we trust that the mills
will be in operation again as soon as
workman can reconstruct it.
LATER.
AS we go to press Il O'clock A. NJ. }
the flames have entirely spent their
force, though the engine is still play
ing upon the ruins. The building is
very effectually gutted, but the walls
are standing apparently uninjured. If
they are not cracked by the heat
(Which is seriously to be apprehended)
very considerable portion of the loss
may be saved by making use of the
walls in rebuilding.