The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-25
FREQUENT FIRES
CAUSE COMMENT
DRY WEATHER AND INCENDI-
ARIES SHARE THE BLAME.
Recent Series Of Blazes in the Lumber
District Have Alarmed Mill Men and
Insurance interests Chief Canter-
bury Believes Fire Bugs Are Abroad
Dust Is Becoming Obnoxious.

Sawmill owners and operators, fire.
men and insurance men, are beginning
to wonder if Minneapolis is to have an
other reign of terror similar to the
troublesome time oe last fall. Within
a week several large sawmill and wood
working properties have been burned.
/ The latest attempt at starting a de-
structive mill fire was made about mid.
night last night, when the edging yard
Of the Backus- Brooks company at
Tihrty-second avenue n and First
street, was fired. The department was
called and succeeded in drowning the
fire before any great, amount of dam
nearly the same spot Saturday right,
and Chief Canterbury believes both
fires were of incendiary origin.
was made to cripple the Park
Rapids planning mill property, form
erly the Day mill, in North
Minneapolis. While the Waterman was
body entered the planning mill and cut
a twenty fve-foot section from heavy
driving belt. If any attempt was made
to fire the property it was unsuccessful.
The first incident in the present
series of troubles was the fire which
destroyed the Diamond saw mill Mon
day night, April II. Tuesday night
/
| in Southeast Minneapolis was destroyed.
Several fires were started in the same
section during the week and on Fri
day night feed store on Washington
avenueSE suffered considerable damage.
| This fire was adjoining another lumber
plants that of R. B. Thompson.
Saturday noon fire was discovered In
the Skellett- Elliot yard in North Min
neapolis. A man was seen to set ire
- IF o6C1n at Second street,
and Twenty-sixth avenue, after which
he made his escape on bicycle. Fl
| Chief Canterbury Of the fire depart
ment is inclined to believe that most of
the large fires were purposely set. On
the other hand, Fire Marshal Ringer
has more faith in human nature and
as yet is not ready to lay all the
ness.
Sparks May Start Trouble. go
Insurance men have no theories to
advance. The present dry weather is
held accountable for much Of the
trouble. A spark from factory chin
ney or passing engine, or a cigar SUP
carelessly thrown in the Tight place Will
The fire trouble is not the only
feature Of the dry weather. Few
residence streets have been sprinkled
this spring and the street cars stir up
clouds of unhealthy dust which float
in and fills the cars.
One city board, however, is pleased:
Secretary Ridgeway Of the park board
says: "We have been able to clean up
ali our property much. earlier than usual
and did not mind the dust while doing
It. If we get rain by the first Of May
the foliage and the general park work
will be all right.' .r%.. ..... 90
Will Economic Water. s.-~
The water department., however, is
getting ready to keep tab on the
Hdrink'' that is used for sprinkling.
sprinkling will be allowed between
the hours of 5 and 8 am, and and 10
pm, and unless there is meter on the
property, the water cannot be left to
squirt itself away, but the hose must be
held by some member Of the family
The regulations prohibit sprinkling be-
fore May l, but on account, OF the pres
emit dry spell, it will be allowed. 4. p.