Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-04-24
The Hub and Spoke Factory of
Messrs. McKinn0n & Griffith
Completely Ruined.

At about half-past six clock last
evening the cry Of fire was conveyed
to the people of Centralia by the I'M
common whistling of the factory and
one locomotive whistle. We were
Just in the act Of sitting down at the
supper table when the alarm was given.
Believing We might be of service in
the premises, we put out for the fire,
and having only two blocks distance
to go, were soon there. Entering
at the north entrance in which was
stationed the engine, we found Dir.
Frank Clement, the engineer, at work
at the machinery and Mr. Bernier,
pulling the whistle rope, as there was
no help near, the factory hands having
gene to their supper, nothing else
could be done. The pumps, would
not work and the machinery being
bolted fast, nothing was saved. The
fire engine appeared on the scene, and
there being no available water, could
give no assistance. The babcock ex-
tinguisher can be credited with having
saved the Valley depot. 1t was very
remarkable how the fire spread to the
extreme parts of the building. The
Office building and the paint and oil
rooms all went in their turn. There
was train of cars on the side track
and was saved, excepting one fiat car
which was partially off the track, was
burned The planning mill of Whor-
ton Bros, also their lumber yard Of
about 5000, 900 feet, the dwelling of
Mr., VIM. PerL, and the Valley depot,
were in great danger and had the wind
shifted to northward instead of south
ward, as it did, no telling what the
misfortune would have been. The
loss is $1,000 Insured for $4,000
We sincerely hope Messrs. McKinnon
& Griffith will receive inducements to
rebuild, at an early day.
Teachers Association. --About
six weeks ago Superintendent Williams
had circulars printed and sent to all
teachers in Wood county notifying
them that a programme had been made
up which would be carried out on
Saturday the 22d OF March, at one
O'Clock P NJ and inviting all teachers
that could, to be present, also inviting
the public to attend, and after which
meeting it was intended to organize a
Teachers Association
The invitation was very we'll re-
sponded to and the high school room
Of the Howe High School was filed
full. mainly of teachers. The pro-
gramme vas an excellent one and the
exercises were very well carried out.
We cannot particularize on the pro-
CRANE at this time. The Association
was formed and committees appointed.
Then adjourned to meet again in four
weeks.
As our readers are aware the Asso-
citation met in regular session on the
10Th INST. with programme as publish
ed In our last issue. Our reporter
repaired to the meeting, and says the
meeting opened with (singers not be-
ing presently an grafton by Mr.. G. t. |
Purdy which was we'll written and
delivered, but could have been deliv-
vered somewhat better had it been
thoroughly committed. The question
of "ResoIced That cur public schools
should aim to teach onl Y those subjects
which have a direct bearing upon
practical life, - was opened by Miss A.
Smith on the Affirmative. She took
strong grounds in favor of the resolu-
ton and sustained her points well.
Then followed Miss L. Douglas on the
negative, taking opposite ideas but not
refuting the points of the former
speaker, and urging strongly for a
education of the pupil The
question was then open for volunteers, |
during which a goodly number took
sides speaking pro and con, among
which were Dr. G. Witter, J. Ros-
holt, J. A. Gaynor and Supt. G L.
Williams. The discussion caused |
merriment and will prove
beneficial without doubt.
Mrs. Vaughn then spoke of her
way and custom of conducting A B c
scholars, how to interest them and
what were, in her judgment, the best
modes and customs to follow for sue
cess. Many good and valuable sug-
gestions were made.
The Query box was then opened
and the questions taken up and ans
wered There being but few, were
soon dopa ouov opJ +bo o,,oct;o,, r.