River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-08-20
AN OLD LAND MARK GONE.
The Junction Mills Burned.

The FIRE was we'll under way before
the alarm was given, and owing to the
immense size of the huilding and the
large amount OF dry lumber in the
frame it was evident that it was
doomed and the firemen turned tlieir
attention at once to saving surround
ing property
The heat was intense. Vast vol
umes of fame rose upwards lighting
the Landscape for a long distance.
The large warehouse hundred feet
away was soon smoking and the roof
blazed up. 1t was impossible for any
one to remain moment between the
two buildings without protection, but
notwithstanding this great disadvant-
age the firemen protected themselves
partially with doors and pieces of
boards and dragged in the hose and
commenced playing upon the flames.
Meanwhile it was seen that the old
cooper shops were about to blaze and
second line of hose was run down
from the same hydrant as that used
for the first line and water turned on.
This of course seriously diminished
the pressure and though the shops
were saved it looked as if the ware
house and adjoining sheds must go.
Bystanders not understanding the
reason of the diminished force of the
stream supposed wrongly that the
reservoir was nearly empty.
The chief, discovering the cause Of
the lack of water ordered the second
stream cut off and the full force of
the hydrant turned on the long line
of hose (nearly 900 feet which run
to the warehouse. The results of this
was soon apparent. The flames gave
way before the heavy inch stream and
in short time it was seen that the
fire on the warehouse was under con-
troll and few minutes later it was
entirely eXtinguished.
Meanwhile the fire on the mills was
slackening for want of material upon
which to feed. The huge beams came
falling down throwing up showers of
sparks and the draught of the i'm
mense chimney caused some of the
smoke to issue from its top, recalling
to many the time when the mills were
in full activity giving employment to
many men and turning out its five
hundred barrels of patent" every day.
The fire was doubtless caused by in
cendiarism, whether the result of
intention or from some tramp who
found place for sleeping is of course
at present uncertain. Some matters
which nave transpired recently indi-
cate rather probability of an inten-
tional crime.
Too much cannot be said for the
persistence anu daring Of the firemen.
Although the warehouse was old and
of comparatively little value they de-
termined to save it and did so under
serious risks and great disadvantage.
Few seeing the situation and knowing
the distance of the place from the
nearest hydrant believed that much
could be done and the boys were urged
TO turn their attention rather to
neighboring buildings than risk too
much on the vacant warehouse. But
they felt that the warehouse saved
the other buildings were in no danger
and acted accordinOIv
As soon as the alarm was given fire
was started at the pump house and
after the steam was up the working
of the pump aided in increasing the
pressure.
The purchase of new hose this spring
proved fortunate as otherwise there
would not have been sufficient to
reach the buildings.
Mrs. John Eaton seeing the hard
work being done by the firemen made
a generous supply of coffee to refresh
them, courtesy which was greatly
by them.
The Junction Mills were constructed
in part about the year 1866 by Messrs.
Cox and Andrews, George Fortune
becoming interested TO the amount of
a fourth interest soon after.
u lie Charley Cox desiring to re-
move to California sold his interest
shortly after to a new firm composed
A. ID. Andrews. George Fortune and
A. A. Freeman, tile latter for some
years being silent partner only.
The first year of the new firm was
successful. The patent
flour was just introduced and there
was large profit in its manufacture
and it was currently reported that the
profits that year were about sixty
thousand dollars The partners en-
couraged by the result at once en-
larged the mills and sought new mar
kets for their products. For some
time the profit continued large but
the erection of new mills farther west
and especially at Minneapolis so great
ly increased the supply of patent -four
that prices steadily declined.
About this time DR.. Andrews and
Mr.. Fortune sold out their holdings
to Mr.. Freeman and a new firm was
organized under the name of Freeman
& Stephens. Later another change
was made and the business reorgan-
lied under the name of Freeman &
The enormous expense incurred in
putting in rev machinery and the
decline in the price of patent -four at
last rendered the mill practically un-
profitable. Mr. Freeman failed and
Mr.. Ruyter left the concern and the
mills were closed about six years ago.
Since that time they have been un-
used. Litigation having arisen taxes
were left unpaid and the plant gradu
ally fell into ruins.
Last year the contending parties
made compromise by which the taxes
were paid up to prevent the premises
being decided for unpaid taxes but the
matter being still in litigation no
attempt was made to use the plant
and it remained fast becoming a
wreck.
The mills as they stood at the time
Of the fire probably represented an
OF over $50 70, this esti-