The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-07
Loss Estimated at s2+5.000. Mostly on
Machines, on Which There Is Not
One Cent of Insurance.
PRISON CHAPEL DEDICATED
Kew House of Worship for War
den French's Large Flock.
Address by Governor Matthews-Grand
Master Sargent Seeking an Investiga-
tion-Terre Haute's New officials.
special to the indianapolis journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
MUNCIE, Ind, May 6.-The largest and
one of the most important manufacturing
concerns in eastern Indiana was destroyed
by fire In this city this afternoon. IL was
the William n. Whitley reaper and mower
works which moved TO Muncie from
Springfield, o., two years ago. The main
building was 40 by 4S0 feet, with fifteen
wings, each 40 by 200 feet. built in double
l. shape. The buildings were OF wood and
galvanize iron and buried like tinder.
They were situated in the new town OF
Whitley, divided from the city by White
river The buildings were not costly. but
the machinery was nearly all new and OF
the most modern kind. The factory en-
ployed over two hundred hands. and was
adding to the force weekly, as the supply
Of machines for this years trade was just
being prepared. Two thousand machines
were stored in the factory ready for ship
ment while over fifteen hundred more
were partially completed. This makes the
amount of the loss very great, and a con-
servatve estimate places the amount at
s2s5. 900, with not one cent insurance. Until
recently the factory was partially insured.
but the rate was so high that IT was
dropped.
The factory was not available to the city
fire department, but a good system OF hose
was distributed throughout the buildings.
The fire originated I'm the south wing. in the
paint shop, where several stoves were used
to dry some rush order work that was
to go out tomorrow. When the watchman
discovered the blaze IL was beyond his con-
troll with the means at hand. The strong
north wind had nearly the entire building
enveloped in flames before the f1remen ar
rived, and nothing could be done. The
books were saved, but many other valuable
papers outside the safe and costly
patterns were destroyed. Some
of the men who have been
working at greatly reduced wages braved
the flames in an effort to save their tools,
but were not successful. The whole
structure was destroyed in less than one
hours time.
To-day the Lake Erie & Western rail-
road delivered two cars loaded with knives
and fine steel TO be unloaded tomorrow.
These were destroyed, adding over 5000 to
the loss. The greatest loss Is in the pat
terms. which were the accumulation of a
lifetime's work by Mr.. Whitley. He has
been engaged i'm the business for nearly
fifty years. Some Of the patterns were for
a new machine which would soon have
to revolutionize the trade. These were all
lost. Mr.. Whitley recently won suits from
the Mccormick and another reaper COM
pany for $150000 for infringement on his
patents and he has similar suits pending
which will place his gain at $4,000 or more
from this source He also has many thou
sand dollars outstanding and is by no
means financially ruined by the fire.
Mr.. Whitley arrived home from Chicago
at o'clock and almost prostrated
when he learned Of the destruction Of his
factory There is little doubt that the
works will be rebuilt Many families that
accompanied the factory TO Muncie from
Springfield have purchased property here
and now left in a very serious predica-
ment with no money to Support them.
There is talk tonight Of arranging a home
talent musical entertainment as a benefit
to the many unfortunate ones. Muncie
viii care for the deserving.