The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1888-05-24

MATTRESS FACTORY BURNED.
Loss between % 900 and s1O.OOo-OPera-
tions viii be Resumed ~ Onoe and
New Factory Constructed
At 5 o'clock and q minutes Satur-
day afternOOn-when the JOURNAL
had been issued to its subscribers
the fire whistle at the waterworks
gave that terrible warning that de-
struetion OF property by fire was in
progress. The fire was quickly
located 20 be the mattress factory on
North Fourth street, between the
Rock Island and Santa Fe tracks.
The wind was blowing quite a gale
from the south aud a black mass Of
smoke rolled and Off that gave 4 ter
rifying aspect. In q half hour the
works were a complete wreck. The
fire department soon arrived on the
ground but were unable TO accom-
plish anything except stay the pro-
gress Of the flames about the engine
and 80 protect it in some degree from
the merciless ravages Of the''devour-
ing element"
The nearest hydraut was on Santa
Fe avenue, over two blocks distant,
and a thousand extra feet OF hose
was required to pay out To the fire.
BY this means only one nozzle could
be used, and the pressure Of water
was only ordinary, by reason doubt
less Of the distance.
The salue OF property IL $lO,jOO-
tO-wit: factory, 5000; stock on
hand, $500. There was az insur-
anee OF 81 ,OOO-nOne on building.
About 500 was saved in stock and
goods. The engine is in fair cOndi-
tiOn, and will need TO undergo
slight repairs. Its value is about
500. The factory was owned by an
incorporated company consisting Of
J. f. Woodward, Jr., Al Woodward,
~ Haggart, David Beebe aud |. \.
AAutGhluHbus btGoF AuA AAuttiilt-
son held stock in the concern To the
amount Of $40 each on n basis Of
5000 as purchase price; Haggart
about 3 fifth and the Woodward
brothers the remainder.
The fire originated from the shod-
dy, or rag-picking, machine. a
spark was struck a. the rags went
through the teeth from Il bit OF
match, a button or piece Of iron,
and il was quick work till the large
quantity of rags was a mass Of fire.
notwithstanding the outer door Of
the safe stood open during the fire
the contents cams out unscathed.
e. 5. Davis, the late proprietor Of
the factory, had y number of notes,
mortgages and other papers in the
safe but the only evidence of fire sus-
tanned by them was the scOrching of
one cover of book which was near
est the inner door. All matters of
the company in the safe was pre-
served inact.
Salina could in afford To lose this
factory from among her industries.
Hence We are pleased 10 learn, en-
cOuraged by protiers Of assistance of
the citizens, that the Messrs. Wood
ward 4 Haggart have determined
IL H. III
The new structure will be built and
be tire-prOof a. far ~ possible.
Special purpose will be had To make
the rag-picking room. where the
great danger from fire exists, secure
from fire aud 50 construct il that IL
will be removed from contact in
ease Of fire from other parts Of the
building.
The factory intend resuming oper-
atiOns inside Of ten DAYS, and will
rent q building in sOILe suitable
location for that purpose.
We will suggest that water main
be established in the vicinity Of the
factory. The gas works, a. well a.
e large number Of buildings in proX-
unity, require this action.
The prOPrielOrs return their sim
cere thanks for the assistance Of
persons living in the locality in
removing property from the burning
building.
Beyond a slight Indebtedness for
stock there is no mcumbrance Of
any kind. They have bills due
which will much more than cover
this Indebtedness.