Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-07-16
FIRES!
JUHNS0N'S MILL BURNED
SATURDAY.
oHANh d NEVILLE LOOSE $500. 90
WORTH OF LUMBER.
A CLOSE CALL
FOX THE VILLAGE MONDAY Y
1he Worst Fire of the Season.

LIS spring Wnon the different for
est fires had burned clear up to the
village and the ground on both sides
had been burned over it was thought
that the village itself was out of all
danger from them for this season.
The Illusion was violently dispelled
saturday afternoon. For some days
back fires have been raging in the
WOODS near town and about two o.
clock Saturday afternoon the people
living near the Johnston mill sent
word that the fire had nearly reached
there. The mill was too far out to
be reached by the waterworks. but
the authorities sent some men out at
once, but before they got there the
fire had reached the tramway and
was burning in some piles OF lumber
close by the mill, which, in a few mo-
ments was mass of flames and was
quickly burned to the ground. A
few minutes later the the blacksmith
shop followed. By hard labor the
office. boarding house, shingle sheds
and half dozen dwelling houses
near the mill was saved, although
the fire burned up to within few
feet of some of the houses.
The mill was built by Alex John
ston about two years ago and
cost eighteen thousand dollars. Last
fall Mr. Johnston failed and the prop
erty was bought at receivers sale by
the Washburn Lumber Co. of Osh-
kosh. They had not run the mill
this season and did not have even
watchman to look after it. It is not
known whether they carried any in
surance or not. The lumber in the
yard belonged to Shank & Neville of
this place and they had hauled the
most of it away. Their loss on what
remained is about six hundred dol
lars with no insurance. Had there
been q Waterman looking after the
and mill9 all alarm given sooner it
could have been saved.
Monday afternoon the fire which
had been burning for several days in
the woods to the southwest of the
village was bourne down upon it by
a heavy " ind and the people were
obliged to turn out Ell mass to fight
it. One fire came down towards the
Gerry Lumber Co. 8 lumber yard anu
still another came up the railroad
track and threate the town still
further east. The woods along the
the whole south side was Il mass of
flames and the smoke was SO dense
that it was nearly impossible to
breathe. Again the waterwOrks did
excellent service and saved the place.
Long lines OF hose were run out by
willing hands and the woods were
thoroughly wet down in the face OF
the advancing flames. Showers vi
sparks fell in the village and large
force of men were kept constantly
busy with pals land buskets putting
out the fires which caught in the
lumber yards and around the dwell
ings.
Providence also came to our aid
and the wind which had been nearly
south changed to the southwest
which lessened the danger from sparks
and gave the firemen "a chance to fight
the fire from one side instead OF direct
ly in it's face. AS it was. the FENCES
around several of the dwellings ON
the outside of town were burned ana
the houses narrowly escaped al
though none were destroyed.
By five O'Clock the main oody Oh
the fire had passed the village ana
what remained was under control
and men breathed easily again.
A VISIT TO THE CHICAGO AVE-
NUE. POLICE STATION.