Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-20
The McCLENCH FIRE.
Plenty OF Waicr-Damage Not Yet Estimated
South End to Have Hose Cart.

BOVntOn of the Augusta, HalloWell ~
Gardiner Railroad, was the first to dis
cover the fire i'll McClench q COS.
machine shop. "Wednesday night. Mr.
Roynton says that while passing the
building at about s O'Clock, glim-
mer of light was seen near the engine.
To satisfy his mind to a certainty h .
FASTENED to a window, which he broke
in an attempt at raising it, and once
inside he found that the fire was con
fined to the engine room. He shouted
an alarm, and Fastening to the power
house Of the Electric Road. cndcaVor-
cd to reach central by telephone, but
was unsuccessful, as the office was
closed. In the meantime, Waterman
Horn at Fuler'S foundry, received the
alarm and started the whistle blowing.
The whistle of the Boston Flint Pa
per Co. was also sounded. Word WAS
sent by the s o'clock car to the city,
and the alarm was sounded at
about SOS.
The hose reel from Fullcr's was hur-
ried to the scene and connection Was
made with the hydrant near the june
ton Of Water and Vaughan streets.
Hose from Tenncy's Sand Paper
! reach from the hydrant there, but it
was later of service when a f. W lengths
of the Fuller hose was added. Eesid ,
these streams, the fire department laid
four lines. So that in Il short time
water was pouring into the building
on all sides.
1t is stated to the Journal that the
hose from Fuller's. in charge Of few
men from that vicinity. had the fire
well under control. but the delay caus-
"a in shutting off the water at the by
drant to allow connections for am
| other stream. was beneficial to tn =
fresh start of the blaze. which was
by no means slow in taking advantage
of the absence of water
| 1t can be said that the fircmen work
| ed hard and with the assistance If the
| high pressure water service the fire
was soon brought under control.
Tons of water We're poured into the
building there being from t. s inch
es at one time on the second story
| Everything on the second story was
| totally destroyed. The wood working
| machinery included several planners,
| lathes and saw tables. besides lots Of
valuable tools and appliances.
The machinery on the first floor in
| cluded half a dozen iron lathcs
| planners. and various other pieces Of
valuable machinery, besides the usual
amount Of tools. Everything was
| soaked. and it is too early to estimate
the damage which may result.
II There had been fire in the boiler,
during the day, but as every care is
| taken to prevent a fire. the cause of
| the outbreak is a mystery. by som"
who made an early investigation
Thursday morning. it was considered
more than probable that the fire origi-
mated on the outside Of the building
The building was erected by Isaiah
Mc'lench, many years ago. At one
| time the firm name was Freeman 4
McClench, but the latter afterward as
Sumed entire control. George Il. and
| Frank carried on the business on the
| decease Of their father and at the de
| cease of the latter George conducted
| the business. \ number If years ago
ExMayor w. A. Winter associated
| himself with Mr.. McClenCh adoptin-
| the firm name of McClench & Co
foundry was formerly run in connec-
ton with the works. and the attic Of
the building was completely filled with
the patterns which were used The
patterns. being made Of wood. Were
very dry, and once afre, fcrccly
burned
Plans for the future will not b.
| made until the insurance has been adj
| justed.
Mayor Ben Tenney. in an interview
with the Journal reporter, stated that
he was in favor Of hose team being
dtIoned at the South end. Such Il
! team should be in charge of voIun-
| teer company. and all the necessary
| appliances should be conveniently 1T
| hand. 1t is safe to say that hos
carriage Will be placed at the South
end without unreasonable delay.