The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-12-20
FATAL CAR SHOP FIRE,
Two Workmen Lose their Lives.-Re-
Building Commenced.


Ann Arbor railroad company, on Monday
evening by fire, was one of the most serious
accidents occurring in long time, If ever
before, in our city, not because of the great
loss Of property involved, but In consequence
of the sad death of two of our citizens, San
ford f. Pease and Fred s. Kinney, en-
ployes at the shops, the former being
burned past all recognition, except as he was
identified by his watch and some other arti-
cles which lay beneath the body. Mr.. Kin
ney was rescued from the flames but was so
badly injured that he died before midnight.
1t was just the time for the six o'clock
whistles when the car shops whistle began
to blow violently. On account of the hour
little attention was given to it until few
moments later the peculiar screechlng of the
city's fire alarm, Immediately followed by
the lurid flames in the direction of the Ann
Arbor shops, left no longer any doubt of the
trouble at hand.
The fire department responded quickly
but the presence of so many cars upon the
tracks between the shops and the hydrant
seriously retarded the work. just how the
fire originated will no doubt ever remain
mystery; that it should have come from the
stove. or the torches used by workmen, or
was case of spontaneous combustion, or
dust explosion, are among the theories ad-
yanced. The flames must have spread with
wonderful rapidity, as the whole structure,
from almost the first seemed on fre, with
little or no prospect of saving anything ex-
ceps such as was outside the building. Mr..
Pease and Mr.. Kinney, who resided only
about block away, were among the earliest
arrivals at the fire and thought to save their
tools which were inside of the burning build
ing, with the fatal results above recorded.
The cries of Kinney, attracting the a.ten-
ton of Geo. Fuller, who was near the door
of the shop. led to his rescue, to die of his
injuries few hours later. At the time OF
his rescue it was not known that Pease was
in the building. In fact, the first informa-
ton of that came from Kinney some time
after his rescue. AS soon as 1t became
known that he was in the burning building
the hose was turned in the quarter where ne
was thought to be until his body was dls'
covered and taken out.
Besides the building and machinery, the
company loses five box cars, fiat car and
combination car, besides some damage 10
other freight cars outside, and the severe
blistering of passenger coach which stood
on the track near by, WHICH they were un-
able to move, the whole loss not exceeding,
however, SS, 900, on which there was some
insurance. The loss of some So, 500 worth
of tools, belonging to the workmen, is really
the most serious property loss of the fire.
General Manager Ii. W. Ashley, happen
ing to be IN town, was present and took an
active part in saving the property outside
He repeatedly told men to keep out of the
building and not risk their lives in fruit-
less attempt to save anything inside.
| Much interest was manifested by those
present, and especially by those employed
there, as to whether the company wouiu
rebuild here, but that was speedily set al
rest Tuesday morning when large force
of men was set at work removing the deorls
while Others began stalking out the GROUNDS
for new buildings, which they propose tc
have ready for use in 80 days. Instead OF
one there will be two buildings, one re-
pair shop, and the other for the machinery
required. The new shops will be somewhat
larger than the old ones. materially increas
ing their facilities for repair work.
| A committee of our business men met MI
Ashley on Tuesday evening, when he de
tailed his plans to them. The only thing ht
asked of Owosso was better fire protection
surely not an unreasonable request.
The verdict of the jury at the coroner''
inouest in the case of Mr.. Pease was tina
he ..came to his death by suffocation from
the heat and smoke while venturing into
the burning building after his tools OF hi
own free will and accord"
The families of the unfortunate men have
the profound sympathies of our entire city
| Mr. Tease carrleu I'LL ocoiuOht poi'Oy gun
cient to meet the funeral expenses. About
one year ago he most unfortunately al
lowed his membership in the A. 0. U. w
to lapse, and thereby losing to his family
80. 900 of life insurance. Mr.. Pease was
about 46 years old and leaves widow,
sixteen years-old son, and step daughter
Mr.. Kinney was nearly 81 years old ant
leaves widow and one child, three year
old son. Mr.. Kinney's parents reside OF
the Dewey farm just east of the city. H
had carried an accident policy OF Sloo ou
dropped it during the past month.
A very large number of people attende'
the funeral of the unfortunate men al IN
First M. E. church at o'clock on Wednes
day afternoon The services were con
Quoted by Rey. W. G. Nixon OF the River
side M. e. church, the music being furnishes
by ths Baptist choir. The bodies were In
TERED in Oak Hill cemetery.