Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-06-25
DOINGS MONDAY
Lewis Plant Destroyed by Fire


manufacturing plant of the G. B. Lew
is company in Water street and en-
dangered surrounding property, but
aided by a calm atmosphere and the
heroic work of the volunteer fire de-
partment, it was confined to the fac
tory building, although at one time it
looked as if adjoining property would
go up in flames, but luckily there was
no wind blowing and after stubborn
fight Cf one hour and a half the fire
was under control and owners of adj
joining property breathed easier.
Loss is $4,000.
The loss on building and contents
including expensive machinery, will
reach the sum of $4,000, which is
pretty we'll covered by insurance. The
origin of the fire is unknown. The
company employs a nightwatchman
but he was not in the building at the
time. The first known of it was when
a, floor sweeper, Severen Winger,
went to work and when he attempted
to go onto the fourth floor he was
driven back by a dense volume of
smoke. This was at 5:45 and he
promptly turned in an alarm from box
80 and the department responded in a
hurry The fire was in the southeast
of the building facing the river and
it was impossible for the firemen to
fight it from that side. When they ar
rived huge volumes of smoke we're
| g 10, e
fort was made to fight it from the
roof 1t is probably owing to the fact
that it was a good roof that the blaze
was kept from getting into the air
@kich caused the interior to be con-
sIimed partially before the building
WAS wrapped in flames. By this time
thousands of spectators had gathered
and when at last the flames shot forth
the heat was so intense that they
were driven back several hundred
feet and the heat was easily notice
able two blocks away. 1t was then a
roaring furnace and when the flames
| reached the boiler room adjacent
thereto, the whistle was put into use
and sounded a mournful dirge as the
huge mass of wood was being incin
Grated.
Asks Outside Help.
| When it was seen that the fire was
gaining Roadway telephone message
was sent to Oconomowoc asking fol
| help and the department made a fast
trip to this city, covering the distance
1 4 rriyn
the right of way and rushed here but
when they arrived the fire was under
| control.
| Heroic Work of Firemen.
The firemen did heroic work and la
bored under disadvantages from {
lack of hose at critical times, but ever
with more equipment it would have
been impossible to save the maiI
building The heat was intense anC
the volume of smoke rolling outward
was a handicap. Several of the fire
men were overcome, one quite serious
ly. Gus Schmoldt of the No. 2 com
pany inhaled quantity of smoke ant
it was necessary to remove him to st
lMarys hospital. He was in a serious
condition during the day but is nov
out of danger. 1t was impossible tt
fight the fire from THE inside as the
interior was filled with smoke and The
heat intense so all that could be done
was to fight it from the outside
Shortly after the arrival of the depart
ment the Silsby engine was brough
into action and stationed on the rive
bank and did good execution but there
was a scarcity of hose and it was nee
essary to go to the American Mailing
company plant, which kindly furnish
ed all they had. Later the No. 1 en-
sgine was brought into requisition an(
stationed at the mill race.
Where the Fire Started.
! The fire started on the fourth fool
(which is the packing room and con
tains 10000 square feet of floor space
The origin is unknown. The company
operates it's own electric lighting
plant, but that was shut down at the
time. The blaze was discovered il
the southeast corner of this floor an(
near the elevator and it was at this
ipoint that the flames burst forth but
at a point which was hard to reach
with streams of water owing to the
j height, the ground at this point slop
fling down to the river.
Globe Mill Suffers.
The Globe Milling company's big
flour mill on the south escaped with
tout and damage by fire, but there
was water damage to grain and the
flume which runs northward under
meath the Lewis plant. The milling
company used their own pumps tC
force water through line of hose
and helped in the work. The loss tt
the milling company is about $500.
Good Water Supply.
The water supply was adequate an(
after two hours work, the reservoir
/ was reduced only three feet, which
4 goes to show that the city supply Cal
be depended upon. 1t is said that the
! direct pressure on the mains damaged
1.-THE plumbing in several places, but i
twas necessary that all the pressure
available be supplied.
Other Buildings Attire.
During the progress Of the blaze
large cinders and flaming boards were
carried in a northeasterly direction
some of the Goals being carried into
/ the Sixth ward, while others dropped
on sidewalks &C far east 90 Third