The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-05-29
THE FIRE FIEND.
One of the Largest Tanneries in
New England in Ruins.
LOSS OVER $4,000
FIVE HUNDRED HANDS THROWN
OUT OF EMPLOYMENT.
Special Despatch to the Press.l

Especial Despatch to the Press1
ROCHESTER,, N. H., May ga most de-
structive fire prevailed here this morning
The alarm was sounded by the watchman be-
tween u and O'Clock, calling our citizens to
the extensive tanning and boot and shoe man.
ufacturing establishment of Messrs E. f. &
G'Wallace, from the engine room of which
flames were issuing. The establishment con-
slsts OF eleven buildings, mostly two story
seven Of them entirely used in tanning pur-
poses, and the balance in manufacturing-tw
OF the latter are of brick, one two story and
the rest OF the buildings wooden. They were
all very dry, and the fire spread with such
frightful rapidity that by o'clock all the
buildings except the two brick ones were in
ruins. Possibly other buildings might have
been saved had there been better supply of
water and steamer. AS it was the three
hand engines, which compose our fire depart
ment, were promptly on the spot, and with
even short supply of water for them. did good
service and were instrumental in saving much
valuable property in the immediate vicinity.
The Messrs. Wallace commenced the tanning
business here some twenty-five years ago. and
up to now have constantly made improvements
in their works to keep pace with their rapidly
increasing business, until they had one of the
best in New England They combined also
with tanning manufacturing boots and shoes
the two branches of their work amounting to
the sum of 100000 or more annually, and
gave employment to nearly five hundred
hands, all of whom must necessarily be thrown
out of employment Their works were run by
n A..
watts in use at the time of the fire was It's, all
OF them being full of hides in different stages of
tanning, which are more or less damaged. The
engine was badly injured by the fire, though
the proprietors think it is not ruined, the boil
ers were not injured at all they think, but all
the machinery otherwise connected with their
tannery was destroyed. About 1000 cases of
shoes, in different stages of manufacture, were
IN the buildings destroyed and were burned
together with large amount of leather.
The cause of the fire is unknown, but is sup
posed to have been from Spontaneous combus-
ton in the oil room near the engine The pro-
prietors had no insurance upon the tannery
buildings proper, they preferring to carry il
themselves. Upon the shoe shops and contents
they had they think, about 500, 00O. 1t is i'm
possible to estimate the entire loss. Messrs
Wallace. think, however, that it will exceed
$4,000 Although somewhat cast down over
their misfortune, they are not discouraged, and
propose to rebuild at once, probably the coming
summer. They have large iobbing house in
New York connected with their works, also an
extensive western trade, both of which will
tend to hasten rebuilding operations.
The heat from the burning buildings was
intense, and we hear of several severely though
not dangerously burned. The loss falls heavily
upon our community, and all sympathize
greatly with the Messrs. Wallace at their mis-
fortunes, and trust they may soon recover from
its effects.