Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-04-23
ANOTHER SERIOUS FIRE.
Destruction Of Lewis & Parks Fac
tory and the Watertown
Wooden Mills.

tory and the Watertown
Wooden Mills.
A little after o. clock Saturday morn
ing fire broke out in the beehive and
box mandatory of Lewis q Parks and
soon communicated to the WATERFOWL
wooden mills, owned and operated by
Mrs. j. Chapman. Beth buildings be-
ing frame and containing much COM
bustible material, their total destruc-
ton was only matter of a short time,
the walls of the brick addition of the
WOODEN mills alone standing to mark
the scene of devastation. The engine
of the Phoenix Fire company fought
the fire alone, the Ahrens engine hav-
ing been left a few days before at the
Kunert Manufacturing Co.. IS shops for
repairs, part of which had to be sent
for out of town. Good work was done
by the Silsby engine and the fremen
in preventing the flames from spread
ing to the property adjoining. The
Empire mill of the Globe Milling COM
pany, situated within few feet to the
south of the WOODEN mill, stood in i'm
minent peril, and was only saved by a
brick fire wall, which proved barrier
against the rushing flames, taken in
connection with the untiring efforts of
the fremen. North of Lewis & Parks
mandatory was their lumber yard,
containing a heavy stock, and across
the street was located the large lumber
yard of ]. Weber & Son. To keep the
fire from reaching these dangerous
points was part of the good work per-
formed by the fire company. Lewis &
Parks saved little or nothing from their
building. A small amount of stock was
saved from the wooden mills, but the
entire machinery of both buildings is a
total loss. Lewis & Parks office build
ing, some feet west of their manufac-
tory, was licked up by the flames short
ly after the fire broke out. The wooden
mill Office was saved, but precautions
were taken to remove all the contents
When the fire was at its height the out
look appeared so threatening that en-
gines were telegraphed for from Ocon-
omowoc, and everything was placed in
readiness to aid us when word was re-
ceived that the help was not needed.
AS to losses by this disastrous fire
Mr. Parks, of the firm of Lewis & Parks,
places their loss at $4,000, on which
there is an insurance of 81 500 distrib-
uted as follows:
Westchester, n. Observation-Disclosures. 81 900
Milwaukee Mechanics. ~ ~ 1000
Merchants & Manufacturers Mutual
Fire, Clinton, Ia. .................. 800
Mutual Guarantee, Clinton, Ia. .. 1000
Germania, N. Observation-Disclosures. 1000
The loss on the Watertown Wooden
Mills is estimated at $4,000, covered
by $1,000 insurance in the following
companies:
Mutual Guarantee, Ia. ...........-...S1,00 900
Mutual Union, Moline, Ill 1000
Mutual, of Chicago. Observation-Disclosures. 1000
Manufacturers Mutual, Milwaukee. =. 1000
Liverpool, London and Globe. ........ 1000
While nothing definite is known as
to the origin Of the fire it is clearly es-
tablished that the fire first started in
the under floor. Some place it in the
shavings elevator and claim it was
caused by friction. Mr.. Parks has adj
vanced the incendiary theory, but
in this case, where such factory was
running nights with great number of
lights in use, the chances for accidents
are not very remote and a fire to start
would not be surprising, no matter
how much care is used.
Lewis & Parks intend to rebuild on
a larger scale than before, which is
gratifying news to hear, as Watertown
just now is somewhat concerned about
keeping such institutions running. Mrs.
Chapman is as yet undecided whether
to rebuild or not, although it is to be
hoped that she will see her way clear
to start up her business again in our
midst. Should she decide not to do so
and Watertown lose such a mandatory
it would prove serious blow to bust
ness interests here.