The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-08-15
BIG WORKS BURN
Southern Wood Produis Company Plant
al Conway Destroyed.
A SPECTACULAR BLAZE
Without Warning, Explosion Fol-
lowed by Rapid Spread Of Flames
Results in Serious Burning Of
Several Employees and Total De-
struction Of Valuable Property.

Several Employees and Total De-
struction of Valuable Property.
A special dispatch from Conway to
The News and Courier says as re-
suit OF serious fire, the causes OF
which are unknown, which suddenly
broke out Thursday night in the
plant OF the Southern Wood Products
Company, the day foeman, M. David
w. Tisdale, lies in critical condi.
tloc, several other employees are in.
jured and the large new plant of the,
company Is complete mass Of char.
red ruins.
All OF the employees were at their
posts and the work was proceeding
seemingly, in perfect order When
there was slight explosion and the
flames flashed and spread over the,
whole building; all materials con-.
lained therein being highly inflam.
maDle and there was no hope Of say.
ing the factory.
|
Of the fire, Mr.. Tisdale was com.
pletely enveloped in the gas-laderl
flames. A negro workman, near at
nand, received serious burns and 9TH
er minor injudies. Except for ths
GOODNESS Of other employees, who,
recognizing their danger and the me-
cessity for prompt action, seize,2
those who had been most seriously
burned and plunged them into "a
tank Of water, the results would
have been far more serious.
Mr.. Tisdale, who was almost
crazed by his burns, broke from his
friends, and closely followed by q
burning negro employee ran all the
way to Conway, distance Of nearly
a mile where he was given medical
attention. His condition Is now coIl-
sidered critical, while the others who
were burned are out Of danger.
The fire was very spectacular, the
rays of the flames being accentuated
by rapid explosions Of tanks Of bell
zine, oils and other explosives, the
products of the company, that shot
upwards immense columns Of fire
and smoke, which were visible miles
away. The heat was 80 intense that
nothing could be saved from the fac
tory, although by neroic efforts
the old factory nearby, the office
building and the residence Of MIR.
Magrath were saved. A number Of
railroad cars on a nearby siding
we're burned.
Mr.. l.. D. Magrath the superin-
tendent and general manager Of the
works, when seen, stated that Ills
loss would probably exceed $4,000
with no insurance to cover, as the in
surance companies have, Oh account
of the nature of the business, refus-
ed the risk. Mr.. Magrath had no
statement to make relative to the
plans for rebuilding nor Of the prob
abilities, as up to this time no ad-
vices had been received by him from
the New York Offices.
The company's lightWood timber
holdings were extensive, srf-
ficient to run the plant Tor twenty
years, and they were continually ad-
ding to their possessions. This CON-
pany the oily thoroughly sue
cessful process for the extraction Of
tupentine, rosin and other prod
ucts from hghtwood, and the burn
ed plant was the pioneer factory op-
Grating under the new process
invented and perfected by Mr.. Geo.
Walker, of New York City, presi-
dent of the company. 1t was reviy-
ing a rapidly declining Industry Of
this section Of the State, that Of tur-
pentine distilation.
The first plant built by Mr.. Walker
and his associates was erected here
six years ago. After a few months
Of successful operation it was burn-
ed, but was Immediately rebuilt.
Since that time an entirely new proc
ess having been discovered the op-
Grafton of the plant already In eXls-
tence has been discontinued. Work
was begun on the new factory a IL
tie over a year ago, and the factory
has just been completed, although
portions of it have been In operation
Gov coyoro1 TnpDthS