Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-12-05
BIG BLAZE.
FOUR FLOUR MILLS AND Ac0TT0N MILL
GO UP IN SMOKE.
Disastrous Fire at MInnapoIis-four Men
Killed and Others Seriously Wounded
Explosion of one of the Mills Dur
ing the Progress Of
the Fire.
TOTAL LOSS OVER HALF A MILLION.

ST. PAUL. December AT 1 o clock this
morning, a fire broke out in the milling
district OF Minneapolis destroying, before
it was subdued four large flour mills and
one cotton mill, and causing the death OF
at least four men. The fire broke out in
the Pittsburg Touring mill, owned ana
operated by c. A. Pillsbury j. Co. 1t COM
Darillus Morris, and operated by C. A.
Pi!lsbury & Co., and to the Minneapolis
mill. owned and operated by Crocker,
Fisk & Co., which exploded. kill
ing Neil Frederick, first assistant en-
gineer OF the fire department. The
fire then communicated TO the Engine
mill, owned by l.. +. Watson, of Massachu-
settS, and operated by c. A. Pillsbury a.
Co. The street having been reached at this
point the fire was got under control, but
the brands from the contlagration falling
upon the roof of the cotton mill near by.
owned by DorilluS Morris. il was also con-
sumed. Thus four Touring mills and one
cotton mill were consumed, with the rail-
road on the trcstlc work i'll the rear OF the
mills, and seycra! freight cars filed with
wheat.
The fire had communicated TO the
mill OF Crockcr, Fisk & Co, when
the explosion occurred which leyclcd the
walls OF the structure, crushing the elevat.
ed railroad track in front OF the mill, and
killing three persons, iniuring another La.
tally, and several others i'll IA less degree.
1t is possible that other fatalities have
occurred as the result of the explosion, but
how many cannot now be definitely stated:
Among the killed were Assistant Chief En-
giueer Neil Fredericks and member oil
hook and ladder company named Hucy,
who with other tiremen, occupied place
on the Elevated Railroad track iinme lately
in front uf the mill. Several other Of the
iiremcn, similarly engaged, were injured,
and the force at the flames somewhat dlSOr-
ganized in consequence. 4 third person
who has not yet been identified, and who
occupied place in the front office i'll Pills
bury d Co., was killed by dying missiles,
and one other person who was standing un-
der the elevated railro d. and was crushed
to death by the walls and timber and rail
road track, is known 10 have been killed
The explosion was of great violcnceS
shattering the windows a. far
ten blocks away from the scene, and
starting people from their early slumhers
in all parts OF the city. The cause IL lS
matter Oi speculation thus far. Tho
mill had been shut down for some time
and the explosion is as likely to have been
from confined gas as from -four dust, ID
which the Washbuvn mill explosion was
attributed.
The capacity OF the mills burned is 2, 400
barrels. Total capacity of the Minncapolis
mills is -, 800 barrels The mills destroyed
representing about Qne-tenth Of the whole.
Tie loss NAV be Summarized rs follows:
Pillsbury mill, $l40,O Empire mill, Sl25.-
600; Croker Fisk & Co., mill, $4,000; Ex-
celsior mill, 100000; cotton mill, SiocO:
Pilsbury & Co, on stock, $50 900, Croker
Fisk 4 Co., on stock, 5000; Ii. HOmkirt,
on stock. $1,000. Totsl S55S,ooo