The copper era., 1911-03-24
5. & 5. BOTTLING
 WORKS DESTROYED
Tuesday Mornings Fire on HiII's Addition Causes Loss of $35. .OOO, Together With
 Narrow Escape of
 Other Property

An alarm of fire is always 8 start
 ling occurrence, and in the small hours of the night is made more so by the
 people being awakened from sound sleep. Such was the case last Tues day morning about o'clock when the firing of shots in the quiet resi- dence portion of the town and the loud and shrill fire whistle at the big A. C. works sang out on the still mor- ming air. People rushed from there homes. and looking southward there was pictured upon the sky a lurid glare which bespoke that the fire fiend was abroad and had fastened his fangs upon natures inhamable material
 It was soon learned that the plant If the s & s Bottling Works was the scene of the confiagration, and the big building stored with merchandise of various kinds, including several car loads of wood and coal, were doomed, for the fire had gained such headway when discovered that the main efforts of the firemen were con- centrated to confining the fire to the one building.
 All the different hose carts of the town were manned and rushed to the Bcene. The A. C.. works fire brigade loaded their apparatus on flat car and locomotive tore down through yards and across the 400 foot steel bridge, where the brigade made quick work in attaching the hose and get ting ready to shut out the fiendish enemy. At this time, while the volunteers were ready, it was found that the water pressure was very light, and for three-quarters of an hour but small streams could be obtained.
 There was much bowling and swearing going on by the crowd, but little did they know how hard the Water Company was working to aid the stricken part of town. First, the maih to the big A. c. and Shannon wo{ks had to be closed, and instruc- tions sviven at the works to open their reservoig tanks. This took some time, 2ut Ren it was accomplished the pressure was so strong that it took four men to the nozzle to guide the stream
 In the meantime the fire had spread to the fonr cottages north of the works, two of them occupied by Richard Stephens and Carl Shade, owners of the bottling works, and their families. The other two houses were occupied by several school marms and clerical ladies, and one of them by Ghas. Pinkney, time keeper in the employ of the A. c. Go Most of the household goods were saved, but the school teachers lost heavily in clothes and valuable books One of the four houses burned be- longed to John Grimes, foreman and manager of the A. c. teacher, and was valued at sl, ,2O0, with but little insur ance. Other cottages on the east side of the street very narrowly es- capped destruction.
 By daylight the fire was under control and everybody felt relieved for that part of town is thickly built up with fine residences. One favor able feature of the early morning was that no wind was blowing, tor if such had been the case there is no telling the amount of damage that might have occurred
 The destruction and loss of the s S5 s represents about nine years of hard work and strict attention to business l of the two partners, and while the blow is hard one to them, they are yet young men and not in financial straits, and will soon cover lost | ground.
 The value placed upon buildings | and contents as estimated by Carl | Shade, the financial head of the firm, from envoices, etc., is placed at be- tween s34.O and s35, 900.
 There was in the building nearly a carload of whisky and it is miracle that an explosion didn't occur. yet there are strange freaks in all acci- dents.
 The insurance carried by Stephens & Shade amounted to S6, $50 in several different companies, some of the ad- justing agents of whom are now here and as matters stand the adjustment will be complete next week and the firm will be in a position to rebuild.
 The carrying on of the business is now done at the old Webster bottling plant, about block below the former
 s.,u m $nZsA |