St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-15
DAKOTA.
Madison.

correspondence Oh INC oiopO'
The all-absOrbing topic this morning is
the fire of yesterday afternoon, which con-
sumed the Lake county mill. The prop
erty was owned by B. ID. Sprague of Rush
ford, Mimi, and was built four years since
at a time when, being the only flour mill
within that radius it attracted a large pa
tronage for radius Of fifty to one hundred
| miles, and had in consequence become well
and faVorably known over almost the entire
| central portion of South Dakota. The loss,
| therefore, will be more widely felt than at
| first thought would seem probable. The
| mill itself had cost upwards OF S27, 600, and
was of 125 barrels capacity per day by the
| roller process. At the time the mill was
running on full time, giving employment
to about ten men. Within were stored
about 6, 600 bushels of wheat, portion of
| it belonging to farmer customers. who hold
| griSt checks for it, and 500 barrels OF flour,
besides large quantity of shorts and other
| feed products, nearly the whole of which
was total loss. The ire was first discov-
cred in the boiler room, on opening the
door of which, communicating with the en-
| CINE room, to turn on the hose, the engineer
and his assistant were speedily driven back
by the already accumulated fury of the
~. ,.
manager, was at the time in his Office on
the first floor of the main part and sue
ceeded in saving then only portion of his
books, so rapidly did the conflagration do
its word. The entire loss cannot fall short
of $50, 600. Fora year past the fuel question
had been solved by the use of hay, a fact
to which, while it proved entirely satisfac-
tory as a motive power, was doubtless due
l,a doc a.; ~ dow tl,a
cancellation a few weeks since of all insur-
ance policies then on the property; this,
too, notwithstanding the utmost care in
firing, cleaning up, ETC. The loss comes,
therefore, with full force and without in
demnity, so far as known at this writing
At this early date it is impossible to say
what will be done about rebuilding; it is
more than probable, however, so large, inn
pOrtant and successful a business having
been built UP, that some one will take adj
vantage of the opening thus unfortunately
made, even should the present proprietor
conclude to withdraw, which of
course is neither desirable nor certainty
In this connection too much cannot be
said in praise of the valiant and effective
efforts of the Madison fire department in
holding in check the flames, which for
nearly two hours promised momentarily to
wipe out one-half the business portion of
the city, together with much residence
property. Though newly organized. with
out special training, and as yet with no
special weapons of defense, they fought as
only determined and brave men can, hold
ing every point at the expense Of scorched
faces, hands, and drenched clothing. At a
recent meeting of the common council par
tial report was made in favor of the pur-
chase of large chemical fire engine for the
use of this city. 1t is surlnised
that yesterdays fire may possibly hasten
the deliberations Of the council in the fnl-
fillment of this plan, as well as in accom-
plishment Of others under discussion for
fire protection-the sinking Of an artesian
well, hose connections for same, and the
procuring of proper trucks for our hook and
ladder brigade. "A mass convention is
called for June 30 in this city to
nominate delegates to the consti-
tutional convention at Sioux Falls in
September. New private residences are
appearing to start up almost daily, as if by
magic, in all portions of the city.
Men and teams are busy these days putting
the race course in condition for ''flyers."
When finished it will be one Of the best
half-mile tracks in Dakota. il. The city high
schools closed Friday for the summer vaca-
ton. The event was celebrated by pic
mic to Lake Herman. two. miles out.
Madison will celebrate the coming Fourth
in the rousing old-fashioned way. Several
neighboring towns are expected to partici-
pate. The Madison creamery, though in
operation but ten days, last week collected
500 inches of cream per day, paying ten
cents an inch for same. This means ready
money all summer for our farmer friends
and cash trade for our merchants.