The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-05-11

At O'Clock Monday night, fire broke out in
the paint room of the Russell shops, in Massil.
Ion, and threatened the destruction of the
immense plant, which is one of the bulwarks
of the thrift and industry Of the west end city.
So quickly did the flames make their way
through the structure, that the whole building
fronting on the Fl Wayne railroad was ablaze
at one time. This made magnificent spec
tacle, and also sufficient light that it was easily
seen in Canton, many believing the fire was in
this city. Canton was about as much excited
abut the FIRE as Massillons was, and hundreds
started for the west end of the city, thinking
they would bring up at the blaze by the time
Aultman hospital was reached. Telephone
messages soon told Of the location Of the fire,
and then desire to get to the scene took pos
session of many citizens of the county seat.
Those who had wheels were first to decide on
means Of locomotion and they naturally got
there first. At least $50 persons rode over on
their bicycles. Others hired rigs and still
others, to the number of about 400 took the
street cars. The company provided accommo.
dations, running extra cars. The TT. Wayne
also did thriving business.
The fire burned out within two hours. II
was not so large fire as the light in the
heavens indicated. 1t destroyed the ware.
room of the company and a great portion of
finished product, but everything can soon be
replaced, and the company will not be serious.
ly embarrassed. The property loss is amply
covered by insurance.
The distressing feature of the fire is that it
cost human life and made a cripple Of an
other human being. Two fremen, as detailed
hereafter, were buried under falling wallis
One was killed and the other manned.
The first jntimstion Of the fire was received
by the Central fire department from the tele'
phone exchange, stating that a blaze was rag
ing in the vicinity Of Aultman hospital. The
fire laddies at the Central had noticed the big
red light, which they supposed was in the
western part of the city, and were on the alert
for an alarm.
At s15 telephone message from Chief
Andrew Berkle, of the Massilon fire depart
ment, was received, notifying them Of the
conflagration, and asking for aid from the
Canton department. The fire at that time
seemed to be beyond control and to threaten
the entire plant.
Two strokes of the big fire bell in the city
hall soon called Chief IeiningeT, who ordered
hose cart and fire engine to Massillon, The
hose cart was manned by Charles Bry, driver,
who was accompanied by Assistant Fire Chief
Fred Talbot, William Noaker, Frank Shario,
Councilman Obringer and Dick Weber, and
made the run TO Massillon in one hour and
eleven minutes.
The three horses of the aerial ladder and
one of the police patrol horses were attached to
the fire engine, which vas driven by Charles
Pence and made fine run with the heavy
machine, covering the distance in one hour
and twenty minutes.
On theengine were John Reno, engineer, and
Fireman William Belts and Ed. Baxter.
George Wareham of hose company No, 3,
Peter Hill of No. and JEFF Reed OF No 3 also
visited the scene of the blaze.
On the arrival Of the department to the
scene Of disaster and death, they were greeted
with tremendous cheers from Ma:sillonians.
The Canton fire boys returned to Kramer s
livery barn where the teams were taken care
of, and given thorough rubbing. 1t was late
after midnight when they started home and
they arrived at the central engine house at
3:45 a. m.