Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-03-31
The Late Fires.

tnlS city ana at lumwater are, slngu-
larly, OF buildings that were veritable
landmarks OF the two oldest towns in
the State.
The Crosby mill, at Tumwater,
which was completely destroyed by
fire undoubtedly set 10y n lirebug, Mon
day night, was well on to half cen.
fury old, but go we'll was it construct
ed that its lines we're perfect up to the
hour OF its destruction. 1t was the
handiwork OF X. II. Woodland Gather
Of DR.. A. B. Woodard) q millwright Of
the old school. Its framework was OF
immense timbers, and every detail for
strength, such as braces and reinforce
ments, were used TO make good job
OF the structure.
But when this is said, all that can
be recorded in praise ends. 1t was an
unlucky venture from completion. The
day it was opened for business, which
was very naturally gala day from the
the fact that it besides being the only
flour mill on the Sound, was of I'M
usual dimensions, five stories in height,
and furnished with double set of
burrs, a tragedy occurred within its
walls. The mill was thronged with
visitors, and the machinery was in
motion, when a maiden of about six
teen summers, q daughter of j. B.
Bilcs, owner and operator of a tannery
just across the head OF the inlet,
stepped over revolving pinion, when
her dress caught and she was drawn
amid the cogs, inflicting injuries from
which she soon expired. This was the
beginning Of long train of disasters.
Nobody who ever had anything to do
with the mill made a success OF the
business and many utterly failed after
wards, as if pursued by the Nemesis OF
Evil. It was, after the Crosbys had
lost money in its management, that it
was operated by Col. Peele and others,
at loss, and was turned by Mr.. S. N.
Cooper into single mill, with no
luck. 1t stood for many years idle,
being used during the last score OF
years, a short time as temporary site
for the generators of the electric CON-
pany, until their installment at the
middle falle, and for occasional dane.
ing parties for which one of the floors
had been adapted.
1t finally passed to the ownership OF
Leopold Smith, as an adjunct OF water
rights purchased by him. There was
no insurance on the property, but the
loss is not regarded as Of any appre-
ciable value.
The other fife. in the Carlton House,
happened Friday night, of last week.
The smell of smoke aroused appre.
hension OF the night clerk some time
before the flames were discovered in
the southeast corner on the second
floor, at 10: 20 o'clock. Just outside
the room in the hallway was the
electric meter, which suggests, in the
absence of positive information OF
origin. that it might be due TO crossed
wires of the light current. At least
that is the scape.goat when all other
surmises fail.
The alarm was sounded from station
"a, but as usual very little attention
was paid to it by the general public
until several repetitions. as with tie
Olympia Hotel fire, convinced every.
body that q serious menace TO prop.
erty existed.
Very soon the "texas" of the Carl.
ton, q third story built q couple OF
years ago. which did not cover the
full area Of the main building, was q
seething mass of flames. Two condi.
tions, during the time tile flames pre-.
vailed at their height, doubtless pre-.
vented the fire from spreading: One
was that the roof OF the third story
was OF tin, which confined the cinders,
and the down.pour OF rain which kept
the roofs of adjacent buildings satur.
ated with water. The flames were
difficult to subdue, from the fact that
they were confined entirely to the
upper story. and it was difficult to
place the water where it would do the
most good-on the fire-and it was
only when a stream from an elevated
position was served that any appreca.
BILE diminution of flame was observed.
The hose that was carried inside was
soon removed, from the dense smoke
that, being confined, found its way to
the second and even the first story.
The narrow ledge that surrounded the
roof annex was impractical as o want
age point from the extreme heat and
smoke at such close quarters.
The fact that the flames did not
burn downward is doubtless owing to
the construction OF the building,
which was done by the underwriters,
when the original Carlton was burned
in 1883. who restored the building in
lieu Of cash indemnify. The wallis
were built with "filling" to prevent
draft. and this doubtless shut off to q
great extent a supply of oxygen, so
essential for flame. The original Carl
ton was owned by Mrs. J. L. Clark,
and operated by her for many years.
The Carlton is owned by Mrs. Ada
Mackay, and was operated by Mr..
Wormley under lease. The building
was insured for Sc, 500, and the furni-