Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-06-07
A DIS STROUS FIRE.
Destruction of Tinker & Han
nah'S Large Mill.
A SERIOUS LOSS THE TOWN.

one of the most disastrous fires in the
history Of Alma, occurred Wednesday
afternoon about three o'clock, resulting
IN the total obstruction of Tinker q
Hannah large planning mill sash, door
and blind factory. The fire is supposed
! 10 have started from a hot box IN the
engine room, and was first discovered
by one Of the workmen on the second
floor and so rapidly did IT spread that
the employees had barely time 20 escape
from the building, number loosing
their coats and vests containing money
and watches, also their tools
The fire department was prompt In
arriving, but the fire had gained such a
headway that ali efforts TO extinguish
the flames were abandoned and they
directed their attention TO saving ad-
joining property, and this they did,
standing at their posts with the flames
nearly enveloping them at times. The
office seemed 10 be- in the most danger
ana had II caught Oh fire the large lum-
Der sheds which adJOin II on the east,
would undoubtedly have been burned.
The two railroad bridges were OH fire
a number of times, but the flames were
eXunguished without serious damage 10
the tim DER. A number of piles of lumber
also large amount of four foot wood
piled near the mill, and which was on
fire, was saved with but slight damage.
The tremen are deserving of much
credit for the manner IN which they els.
charged their duties as a large amount
of other property would have been de.
stroyed bat Tor their persistent work.
The mill and the machinery were
owned by A. w. Wright who places
his loss at Sl2 900 with no insurance
Tinker & Hannah's loss is about 81 800,
with only 500 insurance. The large
dry kiln which contained large
amount of fine oak lumber, all the doors
for the new hotel at Crystal Lake, be-
sides much other material was burned
The fine show case manufactured for j
with doors, sashes and other material
for buildings now in the course of erec-
tion in this village, went down with
the mill, and therefore the work will be
somew hat delayed.
The firm was getting out work for
the new college dorm.tory, and had the
plans of the building in the mill, but
one of the employees threw them from a
window and they were saved. Others
who suffered loss were Chas. Hutchins,
gold watch; Edward Griffin, tools and
watch; Frank Barnes, tools; Claude
Struble, watch w. A. Bahlke also lost.
a pile of flooring valued at $50.
The mill was "a twO.story building, |
well adapted to the carrying on OF such
"A business, and contained a large amount
of valuable machinery. The loss is not
only a serious one to Mr. Wright, but
also the firm, whose immediate loss OF !
stock is but a small part. Ii is the de-
struction of the mill as they had con-
tracts for over 500 worth cf work
with more 70 follow, and the prospects
for the greatest seasons work in the |
history of the firm were very bright. |.
They have the sympathy of ALL and 1t is
hoped they may soon be established IN
business again. Such an institution is
necessary TO the town and surrounding |
country, in fact indispensable. They |
have not yet decided what they will do !
but the mill will undoubtedly be rebuilt