The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-18
FIRE AT PAIRHAvEN.


Woodfn'e Mill Burned, Entatling 92O,-
600 Loss-a7 Men Lose Employment.
FAIRHAvES. March 1.-THE Fairhaven
Lumber Company's lumber. shingle and
planning mill, better known as the Woodin
mill. was entirely ssessFoyed by fire about
O'Clock this morning. the fire catching
from a spark produced by the friction of
the big .iy wheel belt. The mill was built
in 1880 and has since been operated more
constantly than any other mill on PUGET
sound. The loss is estimated at $50 600.
There is only So 600 unexpired insurance,
81 600 each IN the London and Lancashire.
London. Liverpool and Globe and Athena
companies. Forty-seven men are thrown
out of employment. Most Of them have
families.
The mill was the only manufacturing
industry in operation in the town, With
the exception of the little broom handle
plant at the Heacock mill. 1t was located
on the water front and on the Great North
ern railroad. at the foot of Taylor avenue.
1t was owned and operated by Wellington
A. Woodin. principal proprietor. and
William Hedges, who acquired an $fl, 600
interest when the partnership or company
was formed about year ago. The fire
caught very near the center of the mill,
from q spark produced by the friction of
the big tygheel belt. The spark ignited
the shayings and other inflammable ma
teriai upon the floor, and in a twinkIing
the whole interior was atiame and dense
volumes of black smoke we're -oling out
from all the openings. The fire depart
ment responded quickly to the call, as
sisted by many citizens, and in few min
utes streams of water under strong pres
sure were pouring upon the cracking
flames from several lines of hose. The
men worked desperately, and ali that
could be done was done, but when the
little spark first dropped from the fast
dying belt. the mill, which has long been
the mains,ay OF many families. was
doomed. The dry house. shingle and
siding sheds were saved. aud also nearly
all the lumber In the yard and on the
wharf, all valued in the neighborhood of
xl0on The company let its insurance
lapse because ii could not paw the 10 per
cent. required The mill was we'll sup
piled with hose and other fire apparatus.
and as it vas carefully watched. little fear
OF fire was felt
The mill was built III Iss9 by |. Frank
enburger, now of Tacoma. aud cost
buili it has been operated more constantly
than any other mill on Puget sound. Mr.
Woodin became interested in II early in
lssa the firm name ut first being Parker,
Laplaln & Woodin. Parker ana Laplain
soon retired, leaving Mr.. Woodin sole
proprietor until Mr.. Hedges became IN
teresied. Mr.. Wooiin - one of the old
settlers OF Farhaven, and still owns COR
siderable realty here. lie was for some
time In the general merchandise business
aud VAS a mem Der of the first city council.
lie IS q nan of great energy and strength
OF purpose and no man IN the county has
a more suviab|- reputation tor honesty
and integrity. lie has teen the best friend
laborlng men hers have had since tie
town began 20 go the wrong way, keeping
from twenty-five TO fifty almost coust aaily
employed. Mr. Hedges has also been a
member OF the city council, and is a men,
Der .: the Chamber OF Commerce and
prominent and highly respected c.iizen.
The loss falls very heavily upon them
both and ls Il severe blow 10 the men who
are thus suddenly thrown out oi employ
menG. Besides the lumoer, siding aud
sA.ngles not injured. the company has
about tao million feet OF logs on aand. Al
arrangements had been perfected to start
a logging camp on Lake WaAteorn Mon
day. tract of hne timber having been
secured there. Whe;hA the mill will tie
repu.lt cannot nov be stated hBg IL il not
regarded As probable. 81 least u-iil there Is
\ marked revival In the iumber trade