The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1911-03-16
Kenosha Electric Ry. Co.
Aids Milwaukee Co. After
Big Fire in Racine
KILLS INTERURBAN TRAFFIC
Big Power Plant in Racine Destroyed
by Fire on Friday Evening but Ser
vice is Now Being Restored-Loss q
Heavy One

All interurban traffic on the Milwau-
kee, Racine and Kenosha Electric Rail
way was shut off shortly after six o.
clock Friday evening when a fire broke
out in the power house of the Milwau-
kee Electric Light, Heat and Traction
company at Racine, completely destroy
ed the big plant of the company and
plunged the city of Racine into dark
ness. Within an hour after the fire
had broken out in the big plant the
Kenosha Electric Railway company
and the Chicago and Milwaukee Elec-
trio company had proffered their aid to
the stricken company and before mid
night series of connections had been
made by which the street lights in Ra-
cine were furnished with current from
the Kenosha plant of the railway com
pany and the cars of the Beggs line
moved by power furnished by the two
companies. The men of the Kenosha
Gas and Electric company completed
connections for the lines at the north
limits Of the city and the favors Of
fered by the Kenosha company made
it possible for the cars on the interur-
ban line to be started within few
hours after the burning of the big
plant. 1t was not, however, possible
to get power enough to operate the en-
tire plant of the company and the cars
were not run regularly.
The company had large force of
men at work today and it is expected
that before night traffic will be resum-
ed on schedule. Wires are being strung
from Milwaukee and other cities and
it is expected that in this way power
will be secured for the operation of the
different plants.
The blaze started shortly after {
O'Clock in the roof of the power house
directly over new switchboard, and
in two minutes had gained such great
Roadway that fremen were forced to
confne their efforts to saving adjoining
buildings. For time, in spite of the
greatest efforts, it seemed as if the bis
factory of the Miller Shoe company
the Racine theatre and the car barns
would also go.
The power house is situated in the
heart of town, within block of the
city hall, and thousands gathered along
the lake shore and in adjoining street;
to watch the flames. After q stubborn
battle the department managed to pre-
vent the flames from spreading but
were unable to save any of the equip
ment at the power house. The new
$4,000 freproof addition to the power
house was saved, although some of the
machinery was slightly damaged. The
entire loss is covered by insurance.
Including the building, which is val
ued at $4,000; a 500 horsepower en-
CINE, valued at $4,000; a $50 horse
power engine, valued at $4,000; thirC
$500 horsepower engine, valued at 500,
600, and the new switchboard, $4,000
and all the generators in the plant, val
ued at $4,000, are practically a tota
loss.
Firemen fought the blaze under the
greatest difficulties.
With the shutting off of the power
the city was plunged in darkness ant
spectators were forced to tramp home
as the street cars were stalled in every
part of the city, unable to move.
For a time no interurban cars wer,
running between South Milwaukee anC
Kenosha.
AT IL O'Clock the wires over tn,
bridge had been temporarily repaired S,
that cars could be run from Racine tt
South Milwaukee. One hundred mel
from Milwaukee were busy all nigh
cleaning up the wreck. The Kelly Rub
Der company, which has a private cleo
trical plant, has made arrangements tt
provide lighting for the commercial
houses of the city,
1t may be weeks, however, befor,
the system will be in running condition
Meanwhile, unless temporary lighting
systems can be installed, business
houses, theatres and residences will
electric Connections Will be forced t,
fall back upon lamps and candles.
1t is estimated that nearly LOO
workmen will be thrown out of employ
ment temporarily. A number of small
manufacturing concerns have electric
ity as their motive power and unles
a substitute can be secured will b.
forced to close down. Over $50 en-
rloyes of the company, motto. men, con
ductors and others, will also be idle.
m------.
People in Kenosha are now beginning
to appreciate the value of expert evi