Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1904-03-30
LARGE SMYRNA INDUSTRY
BURNED CLEAR TO GROUND
SHIRT AND HOSIERY FACTORY OWNED BY
PRETTYMAN BROTHERS WIPED OUT.
Was Discovered Between Eleven thirty and
Twelve O'clock Wednesday Night and was
Soon Beyond Control of Fire Company.


The plant of the Smyrna Shirt and
Hosiery Company, Messrs. Clarence
and Charles B. Prettyman proprietors,
situated at the corner of Union and
Cummins streets, was visited by dis
astrous fire Wednesday night between
half after eleven and twelve O'Clock,
which completely wiped out the entire
plant, building, machinery, contents
and all, entailing a loss of between
$4,000 and $780, 900 on which there was
an insurance of only $4,000. In the
building at the time there was more
than So, 900 worth of raw and made-up
material, and they had orders enough
ahead to keep the factory busy until
August. The factory employed about
20 hands all of whom were thrown out
OF work and for which there was gen
eral sympathy. The factory has a pay
role of about $500 every two weeks,
the loss OF which falls heavily not only
upon the operators, but to all the town
where most of the money was spent
The fire is supposed to have orig1-
mated IN the engine room, although
Benjamin Riggs, the fireman, said
when he left the factory after 6 O'Clock
everything was in as good condition as
usual About half past eleven O'Clock
Harry G. Tschudy heard an explosion
in the vicinity of the factory and upon
investigation found the place on fire.
he gave the alarm, which was soon Ia
ken up by others, and then rushed over
to awaken Mr.. Clarence Prettvman.
1t seemed but the space of very few
minutes before the structure was in
flames, although in ten or fifteen min
utes time the Hose Company were on
the scene and had two streams of water
playing on the fast burning building.
IL was soon evident that it was impossi-
BILE to save the factory and sttention
was Immediately turned to the resi-
dence of Mrs. Henrietta w. Tschudv
which was in direct line. Fortunately
but slight wind was blowing or il
might have fallen prey to the flames.
Clnders and burning pieces of material
were carried a considerable distance.
The water pressure seemed low and it
was with considerable difficulty that
the hose company succeeded. The resi-
dences of Mrs. S. E. Cunningham and
Mrs. Susan Garman were also in leon
ardy, and once the dwelling of Mrs.
Cunningham caught fire from BURNING
debris but was extinguished by the
vigilant and faithful fremen. Long
after the building had burned down. a
constant watch was kept on the burn
ing embers. 1t was the worst fire
Smyrna has seen since the water
works were installed. The Prettyman
Brothers supply large shirt orders for
Salant d Salant and hosiery orders for
Berry u Smith, both of New York
city, whom it is said carried insurance
on most of the stock. What Messrs.
Prettyman's plans for the future are
has not been definitely decided upon.
Efforts have been made to have them
take the old Tschudy & Cats basket
factory, but the deal has not been
closed. They may rebuild on the old
site or they may induce their help to I
go to Dover and enlarge their factory
there. Nothing will be settled until
the insurance is adjusted.