The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-10-28
LARGE MILL BURNED.
Fire DESTROYS the Large Rolling Mill Of
Roberts, R00p & Co.

Shortly after O clock last Sunday morning
general fire alarm was rung out by the Fire
Company's bell. Many persons thought al
first that the bell was rung for an extra ser
vice at ST. Johns Church, as 1t followed i'm
mediately after the angelus, and there seemed
but little disposition of the men TO turn out.
Those who went to their windows TO see if
there was fire noticed great volumes of
smoke rolling across the city from the west,
indicating that a fire was progressing in the
business centre of Westminster, and the an
nouncemeut was made that the FIRE was in the
mill of Roberts, Roop Co.
No one knows how the fire started in the
mill, as everything was in its usual condition
when it shut down on Saturday afternoon.
The first man at the mill it is said, found the
double door facing the railroad open and the
place on fire. He closed the door aud went
toward the engine house crying fire. The fire
men began work on the elevator, which
contained 1900 bushels of grain, and the
frame offices opposite the mill, occupied by
Mr.. A II. Huber, manager of the Schaetfer
Fertilizer Co., the Mill Company and the
Lumber, Coal and Supply COMPANY.
Regardless of all danger the fremen fought
the FIRE at every available point. and the
streams of water and spray from each side fell
upon those on the opposite side drenching
them, but each man stood TO his work. Sparks
were carried to several residences and outbuild-
ings. A collection of leaves on the roof and
in the spouting of st. Johns rectory were on
fire. but by the use of a domestic hose was
soon subdued The shingle roof of a resi-
dence on Main street was on fire in several
places, but a few buckets Of water soon
quenched the flame.
An unusually heavy frost, no doubt, saved
many buildings, as the heat from the fire melt
ed it, causing enough dampness TO prevent an
extensive conAagration.
The mill had a capacity of $50 barrels of
-four day. contained the best machinery and
employed 20 men, who are thus thrown out Of
work al the beginning of winter, with enforced
idleness before them for several months. In
addition 10 the mill about 35 barrels Of flour
and all the feed was burned.
The firm carried $4,000 insurance on the
mill and machinery, 5000 of which is placed
in the Millers' Mutual Company, of Harris
burg, Pa; IS, 600 in the Ohio Millers' Mutual,
of Canton, Ohio, and 81, 900 in the Mutual Of
Carroll county. The mill will be rebuilt AT
once. In the meantime. they will keep the
elevator in operation and buy and sell grain,
thus giving employment to number OF the
workmen heretofore engaged in their business.
Within a radius of three squaI es of the fire
is concentrated the chief business of Westmin
ster, with large aud costly stocks, employing
a large number Of men and women, with many
infammabe outbuildings, which general con-
fagraiiou would wipe out. But owing to the
fine water supply and the prompineSs aud
bravery of the hremen, fire is almost con
fined to the property in which it starts.
Cardinal Gibbons. who was visiting West
minister. paid the men OF the department
high compliment for their efficiency and zeal
in his address at the 10 o'clock service at 81.
Johns Catholic Church.
II has been suggested that the City Council
pas an ordinance requiring ell buildings,
within prescribed limit to be covered with
slate or metal roofs.
After an inspection Of the premises on Tues
day by Deputy State Fire Marshal Lloyd /.
MacGill he was satisfied that the fire was not Of
inceudiary origin. and that 1t started either ia
the engine or boiler room.