Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-21
NORFOLK FLOUR
Mill BURNED
Norfolk Milling Co.'S, Plant in
Brambleton Partially Destroyed.
$4,000 TO $4,000 LOSS
nnd machinery worth from
s2o,ooot $4,000, ann tho Stock
from $4,000 TO $4,000 -n.uranco
$4,000 faro Depnrtnient Forces
from Houses Nos. L. and 2. Rcspond
ond DO Good Work.

The Norfolk Milling Company's flour
mill, adjoining the Norfolk and West
ern railroad tracks and fronting on
Brambleton avenue. was totally de-
slroyed by fire last night between 10
and II o'clock. The loss is estimated
at $4,000 to $4,000. The insurance is
$4,000.
The blaze was first discovered by
Policeman Guynn, who was walking
down the Norfolk anu Western tracks.
IL started In the third story OF the
rear OF the building. He turned in the
alarm and the uptown fire department.
responded. AS soon as Chief Ryan
reached tho scene he saw It would be n
hard task to check the fire, and turn
ed In IL second alarm for No. / house.
owing to an obstruction on Bramblc-
ton avenue the Queen street hose.
truck and engine We're delayed for
three or four minutes In getting 10 the
ire, but connection was quickly made
and soon the hose OF both houses were
turned OH the blaze, which was spread
Ing with remarkable rnpidIty. The
pressure secured was good but the
lire had such Roadway and such good
material to feed upon that twice the
number OF streams would scarcely
have controlled It.
GOOD WORK.
The three-story building was entirely
of wood. ana It burned rapidly. The
lire laddies good work kept the high
leaping flames from spreading tn the
warehouse OF the mill and the Norfolk
Ice factory adjoining. Three thousand
people gathered on the scene, aud
Witnessed the conilagratlon which
presented pretty spectacle in It's way.
THE MILL OWNERS.
The owners of the mill are: John ID.
Thomas. of EriStoI Tam 1,
Bert. G.. Keely, of Norfolk, secretary
md treasury; Peter McNaity, or Scot
land; w. B. Brown, of Norfolk, and
the Harmling and Doyle estates. OF
Bristol.
The building and machinery is csti-
mated to be worth from $4,000 10 S25, DOC
ana the stock of wheat and flour from,
$4,000 to $4,000. The insurance on tho
building and machinery was $4,000: on
Inc stock. $4,000. 1t was equally divided
between the Indiana Miller and Ohio
Miller Insurance companies.
Mr.. Keely, the manager, states tina,
q recent stock of wheat had been laid
I'm and he estimates that there was
from 1000 to $500 bushels destroyed
Until the books arc examined he can.
not tell as to the number OF barrels OF
Hour In the mill. The flour In the ware.
house was not hurt. excent possibly
small damage from water.
WAS PAYING INVESTMENT.
The mill was built nine or ten years
ago and has been n paying investment
every year. with the exception of one
the owners have realized handsome al.
vidends. 1t is. therefore. considered
probable that 1t will be rebuilt SeveraI
brands of flour were turned, out, ono
OF the most popular being "The Tidai
Wave" The product was sold consId.
erably IN the local market About 4
dozen millers and other hands were
employed. The capacity was 100 bar.
rels per day OF twenty-four hours
Fart OF the time the mill run both nigh,
anu day. and the average product Was
100 barrels. -
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The origin of the fire is n mystery
but Mr.. Keely thinks 1t probable ths
hot box caused 1t. There Is a pecniia,
atmosphere OF conbustIbillty about i
-four mill and fire Is easily started
not damaged. 81 80 a = ." =
1t Is probable that meeting Of thr
stockholders Will he held In this cit,
within n few dnug -. 100 ~ W