The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-07
HEAVY FIRE LOSS AT AKRON
Burning Of the Extensive Mills Oper-
ated by Ferdinand Schumacher.
The Loss Closely Approximates One Million
Dollars-The Mills Will Not Be Rebuilt
Because Of the Labor Troubles.

morning FIRE broke out in the extensive oat meal
works of Ferdinand Schumacher, at Akron. O.
These mills are the largest in the country, and
consist of several immense buildings. The
fire was discovered in a seven story wooden
structure. The flames spread with alarming
rapidity, and were soon beyond control. The
building first attacked was soon entirely
enveloped. The fire next communicated
twenty Thousand -bushel elevator was next taken
up, and at the last report another
immense mill was threatened with destruction.
The Universaiist Church. across the street,
and the freight-house of the Cleveland, Akron e.
Columbus railroad were on fire. The Windsor
Hotel, also owned by Mr.. Schumacher, and val
ued at $780, 00, was threatened. The loss will
reach $500. 900, but il is impossible at this hour
to give the loss and insurance in detail. The nre
started about 2:10 o'clock. in the dry-house. a
new five story brick building on Broadway. The
dry-house was filled with the best of wheat, and
there are numerous dust-shafts leading from this
structure to the Germanic mill, an immense
seven-story brick in the rear of the dry-house
and fronting on Mill street. Before the fire de-
| partment had responded to the alarm the flames
| swept through these fues, and soon fire was
issuing from the handsome structure. The fire
was discovered by Mr.. Cooper, a clerk in the
Windsor Hotel. which is just opposite the mills.
He telephoned an alarm to one of the engine
houses, and the three engines and a
truck, constituting the fire depart
ment, soon responded. The water-works
were in good condition; but in spite OF this the
fremen were unable to cope with the flames.
They gradually increased in ferceness, and be-
fore an hour had passed the entire square seemed
to DO doomed to destruction. The fine brown
stone Office of Mr.. Schumacher was entirely de-
stroyed. About 4 o'clock. calls were sent to
- ~ IT,
ton sent an engine under command Of Chief
Pierce. as did Kent. Engine No. 9 and Chief
Rebbeck, of Cleveland. did not arrive until 7
o'clock. By sharp and effective work the old mill
in the southwest corner of the square, and one
small frame dwelling-house, were saved. A
large elevator. containing $50, 900 bushels of
wheat, was destroyed. The fire spread from
this structure to the New York. Pennsylvania &
Ohio depot. and entirely destroyed it, together
with most of the contents. Although nothing
definite can be learned at this time, the loss is
| estimated at 81. 900. 900. Mr.. Schumacher carried
insurance of $3.50. 900. Fortunately no one was
injured by the falling walls, but the house owned
by Ed. Russell, of No. 207 South Broadway, was
crushed like a Undertook by a huge wall falling
upon it.
So far as ascertained the insurance is as fol-
lows:
Northern Of England, So, 800; Home Of New
York: $1,000; German American OF New York.
g. $50; Clinton of New York, 81, 800;
Boatman,s Of pittsburg, 81, 900; Fire Assurance
of Dayton, 81. 900; Washington Fire and Marine,
So, 500; London, S 1900; Phoenix of Hartford,
So. 800; Franklin of Columbus, 81, 500; Detroit
(Fire) Mutual; So, 900; German of New York,
81, 25O; German of Buffalo, $1,000; Union OF
California, So. 500; National of Hartford. So, 500;
Queen of England. 81, 500; British American,
So, 500; Richland Mutual, SO. 900; Phoenix Mutual
of Connecticut, 8 $500; Canton Mutual, So, 600;
Buckeye Mutual, Shelby. 50, 0J0; Wayne County
Mutual, So. 900; Peoples Mutual. Rarenna. Mer-
chants and Manufacturers of Mans6e Id. 81, 800;
Mansfield Mutual, s., 1000; Western of
Of Mount Vernon, $4,000: Ohio, Salem.
1000; Mansfield of Mansfield, "a, ZOO;
New York Alliance, 81. $50; Columbus of Day
ton, 81, $50; Springfield of Springfield. Mass,
81, $50. A Western syndicate, with headquarters
at Chicago, has about $40. 900. but the companies
represented cannot be given. The
| grand total of the insurance, as near
as can be now ascertained, is $l13, 900.
The very lowest estimate of the loss is $3.50, 900,
but it is nearer $1,000. 900. Business men pro-
pose organizing a stock company to build and
carry on Schumaker's oatmeal business without
interruption.
LATER-The insurance figures make the total
amount $129, 500, which is believed to be all that
was carried. Besides the Empire mill, which
was saved, Mr.. Schumacher owns the Cascade
mill, valued at $125, 000; Astoria mill, worth
$25, 600; an elevator worth $25, 000. and other
| valuable real estate. In view of the present dis
turbancesa among laboring men, he says he will
not rebuild. A M of prominent Akron
capitalists have already been appointed to con-
slider the advisability Of organizing a stock COM
pany to rebuild the mills and carry on the
business. The question will be decided at a
mass-meetlng on Monday evening next.