Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-07-31
DISASTROUS FIRE.
~fs-s<r - 10y s774
The Hem1ock Extract Works
Burned.
Two Hundred and Thirty Barrels Of
Extract Consumed.
Loss. $sS,5OO; No Insurance.

The hemlock extract factory situated
upon Mulletts Lake, just above Dodge's
Point is in ashes. The fire was discov-
cred about four o'clock yesterday morn
ing by those in charge of the works, and
the alarm was Immediately given, but
before assistance could be obtained the
buildings were
A MASS OF FLAMES, fr@ 4
and nothing could be done but to see
them burn TO the ground. The works
were in operation at the time, and in
charge oftwo men, the engineer, and an
other having charge of the condensers.
As soon as the fire was discovered the en-
gineer gave the alarm and endeavored to
start the force pump, which had been
placed in the building for such emergen-
cies, but so rapidly did the fire spread
that it could not be got to work and. the
building being of wood and highly in
flamable, yery few minutes elapsed be-
fore the fire was under such Roadway
that there was no help for the build
ing. From the best information that we
could gather the fire caught from the
"blowers," which were used to create a
blast for the purpose of burning wet
saw dust. There were two blowers, one
ON each side of the fire box. One Of
these becoming somewhat out Of order.
made lighter blast, which permitted
the other to blow clear through the fire
box, blowing sparks and burning saw
dust into the other blower. 1t is con-
sidered certain that the fire caught in
this manner. s 49, = @
Our reporter was also informed that
the building
CAUGHT FIRE
on Thursday from this cause, but was
extingused without much damage, but
that the engineer neglected to tell the
night engineer of the trouble or how to
remedy it.
There were in the works the entire
product of the seasons work thus far,
over two hundred and fifty barrels of eX-
tract, not much over dozen of which
could be saved, so rapidly did the flames
srpead.
The works were erected last year by
Messrs. Newton, Ellis 81 Buckingham at
an expense of over $4,000, and this was
their first seasons work. The loss ON the
extract consumed was about $780, max
ing total loss of $2S, 800 upon which we
understand there is no insurance. Be
sides this direct loss, the firm suffer
heavy consequential damage arising;from
heavy contracts out for bark, and bark on
hand which must of course now be dis
posed of at sacrifice.
Mr.. A. p. Newton the senior member
OF the firm and perhaps the heaviest los
er is not athome, having left for Chicago
on the Montgomery Wednesday evening.
He will probably hear ofhis loss upon ar
irving in Chicago to which point the in
telligence was telegraphed him.
MIR. Buckingham is also away making |
market for their product. Mr.. Ellis, who
has charge of the manufacture, was at
home.
THE ENTIRE COUNTY
will suffer from this loss, but more es-
pecially in the immediate vicinity of the
works. A year ago where the works
were erected all was forest. To-day there
are clearings ON every hand, and fine
farms spIinging into existence, for the
cost of clearing the land could be de-
frayed by selling the hemlock bark. The
works are so situated upon the, lake that
bark could be taken from all parts
of the country, contagious to navigation
The loss to the firm personally interested
in the factory can be estimated, but the
loss to the country at large in conse-
quence is much larger, and cannot be es-
timated in dollars and cents; unless it is
rebuilt, this loss may retard the inn
provement of portions of the country for
years.
The factory gave employment directly
and incidentally to upwards Of fifty men,
who will, of course, be thrown out of
employment.
WILL 1T BE REBUILT? i
is question that is heard on every hand,
and of course is one which cannot be
answered until the arrival home of Mr.:
Newton and Mr.. Buckingham. 1t is the
hope of every citizen of the place that
an enterprise of such importance to the
growth and prosperity of the county will
not be allowed to remain long in the
condition it now is. The loss is supposed
to be total with the exception of the
boilers, which it is thought are not
much injured, and perhaps the engine
may be saved in damaged condition.
A messenger was dispatched for the
tug Bismarck to use its hose on the
ruins, and to prevent the burning Of the
large piles of bark, and save the engine
from further injury. Uy to the time of
writing this report she had not returned.
This is the most disastrous fire that ev-
er visited TIM village OF Vicinity, DOln III
respect to this direct loss and consequent
results. We trust that we will not soon
have to record another.
MEN0NITEs.-TheG Grand Rapids Post
says that almost daily number of Memo
mites pass through that city ON their way
north for settlement. These people are
from Russia. and are very good, we'll
TODD people, and always make good citi-
zens. They nearly always bring money
enough with them to commence life in a
new country in forehanded manner.
They are leaving their Russian home on