The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-09-12
WINONA SCORCHED.
Fire Destroys the Saw Mills and
Yards of the Laird Norton Com
parry at WinOna.
Twenty-Five Million Feet Of Lum-
Der Destroyed, Entailing u
Loss Of $4,000.

WNoNA, Special Telegram: The Laird
Norton Lumber company has been visited
by another disastrous fire Its I'M
mense lumber yards on the river front were
burned together with several warehouses
and other buildings Nearly q quarter OF
million dollars went up in smoke inside or
three hours Shortly before 2 o'clock IN
the afternoon smoke was seen issuing from
one of the lumber piles back OF the black
smith shop The fire then bad such
Roadway that it seemed impossible
from the outset to check it.
An alarm was turned in at
once, and the screeching of mill whistles and
ringing of bells soon brought the entire fire
department. and every hose company in the
city to the spot, while thousands or laborers
and business men lent their aid in checking
the fire. But their efforts for time seemed
practically futile The dry piles of lumber
were roaring masses of flames, extending for
blocks al stretch, and it soon became APP
parent that the entire yard of the Laird
Norton company, and possibly the mills and
yards of the Empire Lumber company and
Winona Lumber company were doomed
Mayor Ludwig teiegraphed at once for aid
from La Crosse and ST Paul, the form er city
getting fire engine and hose company and
several men here by $3.50 o'clock For
while fear seized everybody that the
ENTIRE LUMBER DISTRICT
would have to GO At the end Of the Laird
Norton cOmpany's yard q slight space inter
vened before the Empire Lumber companys
yards commenced. II soon became evident
that here the fight for supremacy must be-
made, aud the gallant tiremcn braved the
scorchng heat as best they could, sheltertng
themselves by doors as they fought the
fire away. 1t was not until after 5 o'clock
that the citizens rested assured that further
progress of the fire eastward would be pre-
vented. In the meantime the flames took
everything in their way A brave fight saved
the Laird Norton COmpany's big saw mills,
dry sheds and planning mills although the fire
fend made heavy inroads into the blocks
east of them. There were dozens of streams
playing on the fire from all directions but
the water only seemed to fan the flames into
greater fury. Chief Smith managed his men
admirably and is entitled to the highest
credit for the good judgment he displayed.
About 4:3O an additional calamity called
some of the firemen to the upper levee. The
| fine buildings occupied by the city pumping
works took fire in the boiler room while both
pumps were working at high pressure. The
roof of the building was burned and the ma
| chinery deluged with water, but the engi-
neer stood at his post midst the smoke aud
! flames aud kept the pumping works going.
| The departments of Red Wing, Lake City
and Wabasha
WERE TELEGRAPHED FOR
| at this juDcture, as it was feared that the
| pumping works would have to shut down,
! but later in the evening it was deemed I'M
necessary to bring them all down, and word
was sent for them not to come. At o'clock
| the fire was under good control, although
! burning hercely in it's confined space. The
| fremen were nearly exhausted with their
hard work, but kept up bravely under the
heat The LaIrd-Norton company put out d
fine spread for the boys supper, and dozen
streams at later hour tonight are still
playing on the flames. The St Paul de-
partment arrived at half past seven
on q special train. Although the danger was
over it was thought best to hold them here
while for relieving the Winona boys. About
6 o'clock the main pump at the water works
gave way. The scene along the levee to-
night is desolate one, with blocks of half
burned lumber and buildings, while
thousands of spectators form dark outline
to the burning debris. The firemen are still
playing nearly score Of streams on all the
burning material and guarding carefully th,
property that was saved from the fierce
flames of the afternoon. AS near as can b.
estimated
THE LOSS OF LUMBER
is about %, 100000 feet, 7 100000 feet O.
shingles and 100000 feet of laths. Be
sides this there were burned two brick stort
houses filled with building paper, sash, etc
The total loss is in The neighborhoOd O
$500 900, while the insurance foots up ONLY
$40, 500, divided among twenty-five mu
tual and semi-mutual companies. Although
the Oldest and wealthiest company in tn
Northwest. the Laird Norton company will
feel severely the loss at this time of thu
year, with orders coming in briskly and log
scarce and high. The loss of almost thet
entire stock on hand comes as depressing
blow. Two years ago the compan,
lost 100000 by the burnin,
of their saw mill. The firm
are men of wealth and influence Throughout
the entire Northwest and are noted fol- thei
philanthropy and public spirit. The hun
dreds of hands that lent willing aid to then
in their loss to-day shows how highly the,
are held in the city they have SO substan
TALLY helped to build up. Among other losse
by the fire are: william Miller, ice house
$3.50; insured for $500. Charles Green
goods stored in warehouse, $3.50. ]. McCon
neI house, 800 J. L Harris, wool in store
500. The origin or the fire is unknown
Charles Grafton. q we'll known youn
painter, while assisting in tearing down
lumber pile, was thrown from the pile by
stream of water striking on the groun
thirty feet below on his head producing con
custom of the BRAIN