Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-10-26
FREDERICKSBURG WOODEN MILLS BURNED


Loss OF LIFE.-On Friday night last
Jackets wooden mills, at Fredericksburg
caught fire while the machinery was in opera
ton, and were entirely consumed. So rapid
was the progress of the flames that mapy of
the operatives who we're at work barely escaped
with their lives aud one of them, youth
named Alexander Snellings, aged Is years, less
fortunate than the rest, became blinded by the
smoke and persisted in the flames. By the de-
struction of the factory eighty five operatives
are thrown out OF employment, upon whose
labors at least Two hundred and fifty persons,
including many helpless children, are entirely
dependent. The building cost $1,000, ADD
the machinery $780, 900; insured for $24 500,
prInci pally in Virginia and Southern COM
panles.
In its account OF the fire, the Herald says ::
The factory was lighted by gas 1t seems that
10 the cardiog room small piece of wool was
whirled up to the gas JET at once became ig-
Dited, aud was drawn by the current towards
the carding machine. 10 moment the mate
rial on the cylinder was 10 blaze, but watch
man at hand threw bucket OF water on the
blazing machinery, which materially checked
the fire. but before he returned with more
water the ignited PARTICLES of wool were thrown
by the swiftly revolving cylinder all over the
room, and the fire was beyond control. The eff
forts of the watchman to ungear the machinery
also proved upavailing.
Several boys asleep above were at once
awakened. aud three boys came dowo. Que of
them, James Seedlings, about IA years Of age,
ia supposed to have gone back, II IL said, tor
his jacket, and was lost After the fire had
been IN progress some time young SDelllDgs-
as the person is supposed to have beeo-was
seen by hand engaged at Myer L Bruille' 5
mill at one of the upper windows, but only Tor
q moment, aud disappeared from sight. He
was doubtless soon smothered by the smoke
and his body persisted 10 the flames
Two other Of the boys engaged 10 the mill
Charley Cowne and Tom Seedlings, (bruther Of
the poor unfortunate boy who lost his life J,
jumped from the third story of the burning
building, and received 20 very serious Injury
although Cowne was badly hurt, disabling him
to an extent that kept him 10 the house on Sat
urday. Cowne fell on the front steps OF the fac
tory whilst Snelllngs struck some one Cd the
breast, breaking his fall.
A shell that had lodged in the wall duriug
the shelliog OF the town in 1862, by Burnside
army, exploded, one piece passing fearfully
close to the head Of one of the parties assisting
in saving property at the factory.
The Messrs. Tackett had some $1,000 Of
stock, wool, dyes, &c, on hand, nearly all Of
which was lost, 90 which there was an insur
ance of 81 600. Their absolute loss Oh stock
beyond the insurance, will be from s., 500 t
$4,000.
Messrs. White, Chase & Clarke, of Balt
more, bought the factory and machinery some
three years ago, at forced sale, for abou
$23,500, which purchase also embraced a con
trolling interest in the Fredericksburg Water
Power Company. They have 40 insurance o.
500 900 on building and machinery.
The heat arouod the building was intense
preventing the saving of much Of the stock Il
IL said that the bell on the top Of the factory
literally melted So sitting was the smoke
early after the fire had spread, that even the
books 10 the Office could not be saved. The fire
ran from story to story with great speed up the
stairway.
The large Touring mill of Myer 4 Bruille
narrowly escaped, being ooly short distance
of. The window stills Of the mill we're scorch.
ed. and just ready to blaze
1t is very heavy blow particularly in view
OF the cloud Of financial disasters that has
broken and rained on US as community tol
the last year or eighteen months.
The News says: After the FIRE had got full
possession of the building it was magnificent
sight. The purple black heavens behind anG
the !urid light reflected upon the neighboriug
houses, and trees rich with autumnal dyes, the
heavy rain Of sparks pouring 10 unceasing fall
to the northeast towards the river, whose som.
bre waters reflected the trees from the Stafford
bank beyond the mutitudinous birds, reused
aud frightened by the glare, and dartiDg
through the air like fakes of FIRE, with the
central mass OF flames consuming, as with con-
scious and uomanageable might. the heavy
tlmbers and massive proportions Of the mill
all made q cad fearful h
lime to look upon
The building was l04 by 81 feet, with full
ing room extending % feet beyond, aud dye
house adjoining Al by Al feet. 1t was erected
10 1860 at cost of 10000. The machinery
cost 100000.
The extent of this disaster can scarcely yet be
computed. Eghty-6Ye hands suddenly thrown
out of employment on the eve of winter,
who supported some two hundred and City
persons, many helpless, and children, is a
sad reality, which appeals for help. prompt,
certain and complete. The town must feel the
loss OF some 81 300 monthly expended in our
midst.
A meeting of the citizens was held on
Saturday and active measures iuaugurated for
the relief of the operatives thrown out Of en-
poymcnt by the destruction of the mills The
rebuilding OF the factory, it is expected, will be
commenced Immediately.
An informal reception was rendered 10 New
York, last night, to Carl Srhurz, at the resi-.
dence OF MIR. Royal Phelps. Among those
present were exGovernors Dix and Morgan
and other we'll known persons.
=
Weather Probabilities.
WASHINGTON, Oct. &c, IL a. IN.
For the Middle States falling barometer
southwest to southeast and northeast winds
high temperafura increasiop oloudinas. ono