Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-02-01
A TWILIGHT BLAZE.
Burning of the Old Brownlow's WING
Building,
Occupied by the Southern Collar Factory
Of Davis & Co.


OF Davis g. Co.
Judge Temples Burned, and the Old
Maynard Office Demolished.
The fire alarm about $50 yesterday even
ing, drew an immense multitude to the
streets, and the fire was soon located at the
old Wing Office building, which is situated
Just east of Gay street, separated by an al
lev from the residence of Mr.. S. Il. Atkin.
The fire originated inside this building,
which was occupied by the Southern Collar
Factory, the partners in which business are
Messrs George Davis and JAS. L. Rountree.
As to the origin, no one could tell. The
proprietors and operatives left the shop
shop about half past 5 o'clock, leaving
everything safe, as they supposed; but it is
supposed that by some accident the blaze
caught from the fire in the stoves. When
discovered it had gained such Roadway aud
burned so rapidly that nothing of account
was saved, but the entire stock of material,
tools, etc., was total loss. The proprietors
conld not estimate exactly the value of their
stock, but it would probably approximate
81, 900, and they held insurance on it to the
amount of ST., 600. The books and papers
were all burned.
The factory was but receetly purchased
and started by Messrs. Davis i Rountree,
two worthy and energetic young mechanics,
who had everythin they had, invested
therein, and were both practical workmen
themselves. They were carrying on, in a
small way, prosperous business, manufac-
turing nothing but horse collars, which
they supplied to the wholesale establish
ment of James O'Conner s. Co. They had
had about $3.50 worth of finished work,
which they had intended to send to the
house yesterday, but for the bad weather.
Besides, they had good lot of leather,
which had just been laid in. The los. is
quite setback to the young men, and they
employed fourteen hands in all, who are
thrown out of employment.
The building itself, one-story brick,
about $50 feet Ill length, belonged to Mr.. S.
T. Atkin, and was valued at about $500.
There was no insurance. The walls remain
standing
Attached to the building by shed and
fronting on Gay street, was the law Office, 6
small wooden building; belonging to Judge
o. P. Temple, and occupied by Temple &
Templeton. This was destroyed, and there
L.
and office fixtures of Judge Temple were il
the building, but all was saved, though
damaged to some extent.
Adjoining this was an ancient frame
open front store house building belonging
to w. G. Murphy, Esq, of Sevierville
and occupied by two families-Mrs. Bower
and Mrs. Martin-whose effects were re
moved The building was entirel,
destroyed. Adjoining it was the old May
nard Office, belonging to Hon. Horace May
nard, and occupied by him in the earl.
days of his law practice. 1t was at thi
time occupied as a residence by family
whose effects were gotten out. The build
ing was not consumed, but was prett,
well demolished. These three building
were old and rather dilapidated frames, ant
not worth over $500 or $500 in intrinsi
worth, perhaps. There was no insuranc
on either, as far as we could learn.
The building next adjoining is owned b,
the old confectionery firm of Barry & Nc
Daniel, and is used as a store room for sod
founts and other materials. 1t was though
to be in danger at times, but was not il
jured. The bakery of Mr.. Mcdaniel,
brick with tin roof, was Just along sid
the collar shop, and ran narrow escape.
The dwelling of Mr.. Akin, on the south
was thought to be in danger and was wei
saturated with water, but did not catch
The fire department turned out promptly
and the steamers were located at the Gil
terms on excellent time, but one of th
steamers lost its CRATE on the way, an
something went wrong with the other, so
was considerable time before steam wa
raised and water thrown, but after they &C
to operating the fire was soon checked, an
a further spread prevented.
The old building occupied by the shor
has history of considerable interest. /
was there that Brownlow's Wing was pub
lished for many years, and where its pnb
LEGATION was stopped at the breaking ont c
the war.
1t was there also that the Knoxyill
CHRONICLE had its birth, and was first pull
lished for time. Two of the other built
ings destroyed were also old and notabl
land marks in Knoxville--the Temple AZ
Maynard offices.