Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1897-02-08
PHOENIX MILLS BURN.
Oldest FIGURING Plant in Waukesha
County Swept by
Flames.

Waukesha, Wis, Feb. Especial. !
The Phoenix Touring mills, one of the
oldest esta blishments of its kind in the
state and for many years a landmark
of Waukesha county, was destroyed by
fire last night. The mill is located three
miles north of Waukesha, on the Fox
river, at the mouth of the outlet of
Pewaukee lake and included in the con-
f1agration was a sawmill, a large barn
and a farmhouse, with their contents.
The property was owned by eX-Sherlh
Charles G. Deissner of Waukesha. The
loss is estimated at between $4,000 and
$4,000. There is but little insurance.
No one knows how the ire started.
The mill was practically deserted at
night, except for one of the millers, who
occupied the farmhouse, a few rods
from the mill. Mr. Deissner's sons, who
had charge of the plant, left the mill at
Z o'clock to go to their homes in Wau-
kesha. Shortly after 8 o'clock the mill
er who resides on the premises was
startled by the noise of cracking flames.
and going to his door was astounded to
find smoke pouring from the mill. Be
fore he could give the alarm to neigh
bors who live near the flames burst out
on all Sides 1t was too late to save
much from the mill and every effort was
directed toward keeping the fire from
spreading to the other buildings. The
residence stood but a few feet from the
mill and was separated from it merely
by a driveway, and it soon began to
burn. At the same time Il fight was
being made to save the barn and its
contents. But the fire was too fierce,
the flames leaping across the short space
intervening and soon the barn was
ablaze Then the flames spread to the
SaWmill
The reflection of the flames attracted
attention in Waukesha and an alarm of
fire was turned in. The department re-
sponded, but the fire was too far from
the city. The fremen could have ac-
complished very little, as the efficiency of
| the department depends largely upon the
water supply and power furnished by
| the waterworks company. The city has
an engine, but no attempt was made TO
| take it out. This was at 10 O'Clock.
| Shortly before midnight the fire subsid-
| ed but the ruins were smouldering this
| morning.
! The plant is total wreck, even the
| big, heavy stone walls of the flour mill
| falling in. The mill was of stone, 100
| feet in height, with a wood addition.
| The plant was established nearly sixty
| years ago by the great grandfather OF
! the present operators and grandfather
| Of Mr.. Deissner, owner of the property.
| The site was selected because 1T is at the
mouth of the outlet of Pewaukee lake,
| where there is fall of nineteen feet,
| atfording an excellent water power. The
mill, however, was equipped with steam
| power made necessary by the low stages
| of water in PeWaukee lake during the
last few years About three years ago
the mill was completely remodeled and
| fitted with the roller system, at a cost of
about $4,000. Shortly after Mr.. Deiss-
ner refused an offer of $4,000 for the
| plant.
Thirty-seven years ago, when the pres
ent owner was years old, the mill was
destroyed by fire and there was not one
penny of insurance. The sawmill escaped,
| however, and has stood all the years
until yesterday, although it had been
practically rebuilt by the repairs made
| from time to time. 1t was operated
mainly for the benefit of the farmers of
| the adjoining country and was in OPP
Grafton every winter. The capacity of
the flour mill was 100 barrels per day
and was being run close to it's capacity.
1t was equipped with rollers for graham
and rye flour as we'll as wheat, and
contained grist mill for feed grinding.
There was little insurance, about half
the line being cancelled a year ago. the
companies deeming the risk too great.
The insurance on the mill and prop
! erty was $4,000.