The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-22

safety Of surrounding buildings was
the wind. Across the street is a row
Of residences on Washington avenue.
To the west are two buildings OF the
Gaar-Scott plant. One of these is
brick and four stories high. Fortu-
nately the wind was from the north
east. This furnished protection for
all adjacent properties. The broad,
open expanse provided by the rail-
road tracks and vacant lots to the
south gave q place upon which the
firebrands fell harmlessly. The wind,
also served to protect the main fac
tory building. Had it been from the
south the flames would have beaten
their way through the windows and
found ready fuel.
Car Catches Afire.
A box car loaded with lumber was
standing on a sidetrack, just a few
feet from the burning building. It
caught fire and burned but slowly
Spectators were amazed at the resist
ance offered by the car and it was
not until an end burned away that
the reason could be seen. 1t was
loaded solidly with lumber. At s
o'clock this morning the flames had
managed to secure a good draught
and 1t was necessary to play line of
hose on the contents Of the car for an
hour before they could be extinguish-
ed. The fire had burned steadily
through the night without being put
out.
Firemen Worked Hard.
The firemen did noble service.
| There was the usual bunch of knock
ers In the crowd that tried to tell how
II ought to be done. but these were
not numbered among the volunteers
who were .risking limb to help out
when needed. The wind was cold and
- the firemen held the hose. it be-
came Icy in their grasp. None was
overcome although each accepted de-
0iAed risk2 ,Chiak Miller .and Charles
Sinnex, assistant chief. directed the
work OF the mon to good effect. Ev-
cry member Of the department exert
ed himself to meet the exigencies OF
the occasion. They climbed upon
roofs and directed streams of water,
while the boards on which they stood
were burning from beneath their feet.
The warning cries Of spectators were
needed to call their attention to their
own precariOus positions. They
crawled through windows into rooms
heated furnace-hot and filled with
smoke SO dense there was not enough
air to provide combustion for a LIANT
ern wick. They sat on window sills.
their feet upon heaps of smoking
ruins. while the walls above their
heads crumbled and fell about them.
Many Volunteers. a.. -
Volunteers from the crowd of spec
tators did yoeman service. They for
got their Sunday raiment and dragged
muddy hose along the streets. They
splashed through puddles of water,
broke windows with gloved hands,
carried out office furnishings and in
every other way lent valuable aid to
the cause Of rescue When it looked
, as If the main building containing the
office, would be badly damaged. the
volunteers stripped it of it's furnish
ings. File cases, desks and all other
varieties of office furniture were car
ried out and stored in nearby resi-
dences. The company used the
lphonograph system for stenograph
work and these machines and records
were gathered up and carried away.
Police Were Efficient.
The crowd was large and orderly.
Several policemen were on the scene
and handled the crowd efficiently.
While large quantities of valuable ma
terial were being taken from the Of
| flee, there were many opportunities
offered for stealth. Attaches OF the
office said this morning they had not
learned OF anything being stolen.
The future of the factory is profile
matical. The loss to the company's
business will double that on the
buildings and stock. The busy sea-
son is Just approaching and thousands
of machines had been ordered. Rep
resentatives of the company had only
| recently returned from trips to var
ious parts of the country to secure
orders and they had been unusually
1
| unable to keep up with the demand
for its output and both day and
night force had been given employ
ment.
May Seek New Site.
Because of cramped conditions, it
may be, that il 1t is decided to rebuild
another location will be sought. Last
summer. it was understood the COM
pany was considering relocating its
plant, but did not do so. Instead,
about SCI. 900 was spent in improve
ments and remodeling. As the result
the factory was recognized as one of
the most modernly equipped and ar
ranged in the city. 1t had furnished
employment for almost a full force
Throughout the entire year and it was
but seldom the concern had laid OF
many Of its force II was recognized
rs one OF the most prosperous plants
In the city. It has been growing rap
Idly and its future appeared unusual
II brilliant. A large number Of thu
amployes win find work In removing
tthe,1sbEia. h1t n tt>be deoide4~1osoo'