The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-10-25
From Tuesdays Dailyl.
A DISASTROUS FIRE.
The Creamery Package Oompany's Plant
Completely Wiped Out.
VIII 1t be Rebuilt2-The Loss Only
Half Covered:byl Insurance
A Wretched Water
Supply.

anu
The alarm was first turned in few me
ments before twelve o'clock, and tn
fire ragged without hindrance for severa
hours. The fire started in the nortl
section of the immense building, nea
the first of the two fire proof walls tina
divide the factory into three parts.
originated on the second floor and 1
supposed to have been caused by a no
box, which had given some trouble dur
ing the day. The fire burned the foo
and caught the contents of the room
soon bursting out through the windows
The Waterman, j. Wilson, was on tn,
first floor and saw the flames runnin,
along the ceiling. Thinking that they
were confined to the lower room, h,
tned TO eXunguish them, but withou
success, He turned in the alarm anc
blew the whistle, but by the time thu
department arrived the flames had be
gun TO pour out of all the windows il
the part of the building TO which the
fire was then confined. The draf
swept the flames outside of the
building, igniting the piles of slaves
running thence to the dry house, Whip
ing TIN ough the windows, thus allowing
the flames to eat up the second oil
middle section.
The fire department arrived few
minutes after twelve, but vas practical
ly useless, as the water supply Jailed
and it was not Until the entire factory
was enveloped IN flames that pressure
began to be felt. The nearest bydran'
was 400 feet away, at the corner of BY
ron and Second streets, and the next
hydrant was on State street, 700 fee!
away. In attaching the hose To the
nearest hydrant the thread of the screw
was broken, and ii was sometime before
this injury could be remedied. Then q
stone worked its way from the main Il
one of the nozzles and had to be remov.
ed, The pressure was so small that nc
water could be thrown into the building
and the efforts of the fremen were
MAINLY directed to protecting Other
property. The top of a telegraph pole
took fire and the water could not be
forced much more than half way to the
top. All this while the flames were
making rapid strides and were devouring
everything in the way. The third
section was invaded and burned with a
fierce heat, as it was well filled with
stock. The engine house early took fire
and the piles of bolts, heading, slaves,
etc, on the east side of the building, be-
gan to burn. The fremen worked hard
to save some of these and succeeded in
preserving about $500 worth of heading,
which was the only thing saved, except
the safe and office furniture, which
were removed at the start by those first
on the scene.
About one O'Clock stronger pressure
was secured, but the heat was SO great
and the fire so far advanced that it was
of slight avail. The walls began to crum-
BILE and one piece after another fell with
a succession of crashes. The flames
rolled skyward in vast columns and
eddied about in great wheels, cataracts
and circles. II was most fortunate that
there was no wind, for one Involuntary
holds his breath when contemplating
what might have been the result. No
sparks flew, but the intensity ofthe heat
caused a strong draft and the wind
poured into the building from all direc-
tons.
The fire finally burned itself out this
morning from lack of material upon
which to feed, A stream of water was
poured into the ruins for several hours
to-day. Nothing now remains but such
of the hlackened walls as are still stand
ing, and an acre or more of smoking
ruins-the only monument to one of the
city's greatest industries.
the fire department worked nobly
with such means as it bad, and the
chemical engine was in constant use.
In the absence of Chief Phillips, his as
ii. Fricke and b. Bangerter, Jr.,
did excellent service III directing the
If there had been water
the fire would have been checked at the
first fire wall and the most valuable two
thirds of the plant saved.
The loss on the building was 5000,
on the machinery Sl4,000, and on the
stock $4,000, total $4,000. The insur-
ance is between 81, 600 and $4,000, ia
ken in twenty companies. A very light
stock was being carried, as this is the
dull time of the year. especially in the
tub business. The demand for candy,
tobacco and lard pals has recently been
The light stock in the build
ng aided the flames, as a heavy draft
was thus made possible. The fire throws
sixty men and boys out of employ
nent, at least for the present.
Manager Higgs has telegraphed to G.
VI. Gates, of Chicago, the president of
he company, and he and the secretary
ire expected to arrive Tomorrow.
Mr.. Higgs is director of the company
md the three will form quorum, be-
ore whom the question of rebuilding
will come. 1t will then be decided
" whether the factory will be rebuilt in
his city or removed to some OF er place.
Dur citizens should neglect no effort to
secure the continuance of the factory in
Mankato. The latter can not afford to
ose so large and important an industry,
Is will be potent to all.
Mr.. Higgs, with his usual energy, and
spirit not to be depressed by mIsior-
une, has already commenced to fiji his
,rders and has force of men at work
making tubs. He has taken an office
next to w. T. Mills building, corner of
'front.' and Liberty streets, and has ar
anged with J. A. Masters for room in
lis factory. All orders will be filled as
as )ssible. A quantity of
taves and heading were saved and |
loops were telegraphed for to st. Paul |
his morning.
The failure of the water supply was a |
reat surprise and disappointment to
ur citizens, as they have been led TO be-
eve that the system is one that can be
expended upon. Investigation shows
he following to be the facts, as near as
an be ascertained:
For the past week Mr.. Morse, the en-
ineer at the pump works, has been on
onstant duty, the night engineer, Mr..
ord, having been discharged last week
fonday. Mr.. Morse is obliged to catch
lch snatches of sleep as he can, until
he reservoir is completed, VIII II he can
II that and shut down for the night.
he only time that he can seize to re-
air the pump or engine is when the
zen at the reservoir take their meals,
ne of which occurs at midnight, since
lev began to work night and day. Last
light when the midnight meal time
rose Mr.. Morse took the opportunity
stop the pump and do some needed
acking about piston rod. At 1920,
9 says, Aid. Henlein came IN and
lformed him for. the first time that
lere was fire IN progress, having al
sading burned for bali an hour. The
ngineer had not been notified OF fire
I'd his pump was stopped. AS soon as
Dssible he prepared for starting and in
fteen minutes had a pressure of 100
ounds on the mains. At midnight
g stopped with 115 pounds,
1t it got down to 65 pounds
hen he started again. There is tele-
homie connection with the pump
alton and also night alarm there.
either were used, we understand, and
: knew of no fire, as the noise of the {
lgina prevented his hearing the bells
whistles. The water mains have not !
zen cleaned ont since spring and con- !
ierable mud is supposed to have ac-
undated in them. The city engineer |
VS. that some stones are still in the J
aims. running from the time that the !
pes were first laid. The pressure that I
,s finally mt on burst q section of old I