River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-08-17
SWEPT BY FLAMES.
Big Mills and Over 100 Dwelling Houses
Destroyed by Fire at Minneapolis-Loss
Over &I.OOO.OOO


Destroyed by Fire at Minneapolis-Loss
over sI,0Oo.000.
MINNEAPOLIS, Mimi, Aug. 1.-Two
ires, presumably the work of incen-
diaries, destroyed 81 200. 900 worth of
property Sunday afternoon. The fires
broke out within a short time of each
other The first fire appeared in a
stable in the rear of the Cedar Lake lee
company house and soon spread to the
ice house proper. From there, famed
by quick breeze, it spread to Clarlx's
box factory and then destroyed the
boiler works OF Lintges, Connell & Co..
including S27. 900 riveting machine,
the only one west of Chicago. Len
harris union wagon works We're totally
consumed, also a quantity of lumber
belonging to various firms. The Cedar
Lake Ice company lose $1,000; Clark
Box company, $50, 900; Lintges, Connell
& Co., 100000; Union wagon works,
$4,000. On this there is total insur-
ance of about half
While this fire was at its height an
alarm was turned in from the lumber
district at the other end of the island.
Boom island, as the place is called, was
mass of wood and lumber piles be-
longing to Nelson, Tenny &c CO.. and
Backus & Co. This was blazing
fiercely, and famed by brisk
wind, the flames soon spanned the
narrow stretch of water and be-
gan eating their way among the big
sawmills and residences in the vicinity
If ha "a
the planning mills of the Wilcox COM
pany, the Chatterton mill, the BaclSus
mill, the Hove mill, Smith & Corrigan
and Nelson, Tenny & Co. mills felt the
blast of the fire and were either totally
destroyed or badly damaged.
The flames left path of blackness
through to Marshall street, and were
practically stopped by the brick struc.
ture of the Minneapolis Brewing COM
pany, although their loss is put at $780,
900. Along Marshall street and through
the entire section are small frame houses
occupied by sawmill hands. They went
like finder when the flames first struck
them, but the residents had ample
time to move their belongings. In all,
liz houses were destroyed.
Although a general alarm was turned
in the entire city department proved
inadequate to the occasion and aid was
asked from ST. Paul, and that city
promptly responded and sent over two
steamers and a hose cart that did
excellent service. The fire on Boom
island was burning fiercely at late
hour, and the only hope seemed TO lie
in letting it burn itself out
For while it looked as though the
entire northeast part of Minneapolis
would be destroyed, but by the con-
centration of the department t. /;
further progress of the flames Was
checked. There were several acct
dents caused by spectators at
tempting to run the logs ana
falling IN. Two boys were reported
drowned, but the rumor cannot be YER
flied, Bertha Streat, residing on Wash
ington avenue, between Tenth and
Eleventh streets, fell out Of third.
story window while looking at the fire
and was instantly killed.
The following is a list of the losses
so far as can be ascertained
Wilcox planning mill, s25O 600; Fulton s. libby
warehouse, $4,000; Chatterton mill Ss5, 900;
Backus mill, $4,000; Hove MILL $1,000; Smith
& Corrigan mill, SO, 600. Nelson Tenny & Co.
mill. $1,000; 40,0OOOOO fest of lumber at sic q
thousand, $4,000; 100000 shingles at a. .
thousand. $4,000: IO,00a0 90 lath at 81 thou
sand, 10000; cedar pests, etc, $1,000; Mime
apolis Brewing company, Sli0 900; liz houses
an average Of $500 co N. $4,000; Nicollet island
fire, Sl250OO; bridges, $4,000. Total loss, 81
Oj7000