The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-06-21
DESTROYED
BY FIRE
Old Plant Of Campbell
Lumber Company.
WORK OF FIREMEN
Confined TO Saving Adjoining
Property--Efficient Service
Confines Flames to the
Abandoned .Duildlng.

Confines FLAMES TO tno
Abandoned building.
The old plant of the Campbell Lum-
ber company, located in the unopened
portion of East Seventh street near the
TT. Wayne crossing, was completely de-
strrved by fire Monday night between
the hours of IL and o'clock. Owing
to delay In turning in the alarm the
fire department did not reach the build
ing until almost half hour after the
flames were discovered. With the
headway thus gained 1t was impossible
to cheek the progress of the fire and
all Of the efforts of the firemen we're
directed to saving the surrounding
properties. The Novelty Iron works,
which is located just south Of the lum-
ber plant had a close call, but owing to
the efficient service of the department
escaped with a slight scorching.
The main building of the lumber mill,
being of frame. burned fiercely and lit
up the whole east end of the city. Peo-
pie in that section of town came tumb-
ling out of their houses in various
stages of negligee and assembled to
watch the conflagration. Owing to the
fact that the building was abandoned
and comparatively of little value, the
superb spectacle was witnessed without
the feelings of regret, which usually ac-
company the destruction of valuable
property.
SMASHED THE BOX.
The fire was first discovered by JEFF
Reed, minute man connected with
station No. 5, who lives in the imme-
diate vicinity. He rushed at once 70
box 61 on Seventh street at the Ft.
Wayne crossing and found 1t locked.
He called at several places nearby but
could find key at none of them. Then
he picked up piece of railroad iron
and tried to smash the box. He was
only partially successful in this, but af-
ter breaking out part of the door he
found he could not pull the box. OFF,
Ger McCloud came to Reeds assistance
with key, but the door was SO badly
battered that the lock would not work.
BY this time the fire had gained enough
headway to be plainly noticeable far
ther up street and William Schumak-
er. who was standing at the Wheeling
G Lake Erie crossing, pulled box "a.
Companies 2. and central responded
to the call and in short time had six
lines of hose playing on the burning
building. 1t was HIS when Mr.. Reed
first saw the fire in the plant but the
alarm was not recorded at the central
station until 1885. 1t was soon seen
that efforts to save the Campbell plant
all hn oil nkN
directed to the plant of the Novelty
Iron company and the Bucher & Gibbs
Plow company's works. The former OF
these plants is separated from the lum-
ber mill on the south by less than If
teen feet at one point. Several lines
Of hose were concentrated at this place
and the building was saved. For time
It was impossible to remain within 200
feet of the burning building, the heat
was so intense. Gradually the fire
burned itself out and the large building
became a smouldering ruin.
HE HAD A TORCH.
Ira Mandebaugh, one Of the firemen
at No. 2, was told by a young man
who lives on Eighth street just back Of
the lumber plant, that he saw a man
rush from the building carrying fam
ing torch just few minutes before the
fire broke out. The mysterious man
flung the brand or torch to the ground
and stamped 1t out leaving the place
in darkness until the fire broke out
from within. No other explanation has
been offered for the fire. There is,
however, little reason to suspect incen-
diary origin for the reason that the
building contained little of value. 1t
Is also regarded as quite unlikely that
the fire was caused. by passing train.
Edward Jones. who Is watchman at
the Novelty Iron works, says that the
old lumber plant has been made a
rendezvous for traihps since the return
of warm weather. He is of the opinion
that some of these fellows accidently
set the place afire by smoking. Ac-
cording to Mr.. Jones the fire broke out
In the southeast end of the building,
which Is the same corner at which the
mysterious man with the firebrand is
said to have been seen.
The building was owned by the Saw
ings Deposit bank and is insured for 49,
900, which will probably cover the en-
tire loss. The Campbell Lumber COM
pany made an assignment to r. &.
! Shields five years ago and later the
building passed to the bank on mort
gage. The plant has been abandoned
ever since the assignment was made. II
contained no machinery except a. line
shaft, couple Of boilers and dis
mantled engine. Mr.. ]. M. Campbell,
who was formerly identified with the
company. is at present in business in
Cleveland, but continues to make his
home at lilo East Tuscafawas street in