Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-06-29
FIRE.!
A Big Blaze in Knoxville.
HaWkeye Iron Works IN Ashes.
Loss $4,000. insurance $4,000.

IOSS Siu.UUU. insurance S5.UUU.
AT 2:45 this "wednesday morning
the night watch gave the alarm OF
fire. a church bell was soon ring
ing, the cry of fire resoundcd in
every street, the whole city was
lighted by tower of flame i'm the
north, and ia twenty minutes two or
three hundred men were at the scene
TO witness the OF the rapid
and unavoidable destruction of an
institution more valuable to Knox
Vile than any other industrial estab-
lishuent in the city-the Hawkeye
Iron Works.
When the fire was first discovered
it had already made such progress
from the inside that the entire build
Ing was in flames within few min
utes, and when the first man arrived
the heat WAS SO intense that he
could not approach 1t nearer than
the middle Of the street.
The origin of the fire 10 unknown.
The force had been employed on
Tuesday in casting, and the usual
careful precautions had been taken in
| the evening against such an emer-
gency.
The firm, Keeffe, Heberling 4 Bit
| tenbender, had an investment of
about $4,000 in the concern, embrace
ing new engine and boiler of their
own make, lathes, patterns, and all
machinery requisite in a foundry and
machine mandatory. The business
included the building OF steam en-
| gines and boilers, the manufacture of
feed mills, cane mills, horse powers,
bob-sleds, iron fence, ratings, school
desks and seats, fronts, columns,
steps, lintels. pilasters, etc, for build
ings, and large range of castings
and repairs for stoves and agricul-
tural machinery.
The establishment was founded in
a small way by Mr.. w. G.. Savage,
ten or twelve years ago. In 1871,
after the death of Mr.. Savage,
Messrs. j. +. Keeffe and Squire Heb
erling, both young men, but prac-
tical founders and machinists, from
Quincy, ILL.,, purchased a portion of
tho establishment, and leased the
buildings, put in all their limited
capital, and put the business on a
prosperous basis. Five years they
have worked with such enregy, per-
severance, and careful business man.
agement rs to make for themselves
an enviable business reputation. No
business men or firm In the city has
more fully the confidence of the com.
munity than have these young men.
About Il year ago Mr.. III. Bitten
bender became associated with X. &
H., and added his name to the former
firm name. The business still pros
pered and extended, until it brought
customers from % miles in every di-
rection, and even almost from the
suburbs Of OskalOosa, where there
are several establishments of the
kind. The gross business of the con-
cern had reached $4,000 per year.
Tho capital accumulated by these
worthy young men in years of hard
labor is destroyed in an hour Of mis-
fortune.
The books and notes of the firm
we're carried home at night, as usual
and thus saved. The blacksmith
shop, standing some Is feet from the
main building, was saved. These
with few heavy castings, and the
steam boiler, are oil that remain OF
value.
| The buildings and grounds, and one
lathe, the latter worth about $500
were the property OF Mrs. w. q. Saw,
age, and brought her rental of 500
per year. This was her only income
beyond what was contributed by hel
two young sons from the avails o
their labor. She and they, IA well a.
the firm of Keefie, Heberling and Bit
tenbender, have the unlimited sym
patty, and should be remembered by
the community in any financial sit
that may be expected.
The insurance of $1,000 is carried
equally by the Phoenix, of Brooklyn
and the British North America, o
Philadelphia, both good companies
G.. X. Hart, the agent, has tele
graphed both companies and thinks
the general agents will be here thi
week and immediately adjust the loss
Mrs. Savage carried no Insurance.
An effort will be promptly mad,
among our citizens to make up the re
majnder of the entire loss TO all til,
parties by voluntary contribution
We hope the effort will be encourage,
by every citizen, and be carried to full
success. The loss Is real loss to tn
city as well as to the parties person
ally.
The institution must be placed upoi
Its feet mt once. Let us all take hol,
and make the burden light by a heart,
| lift all Together