The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-11-04
Bailey Plant Burned.
Fire Causes Damage of Over 100000 at
Winthrop Friday Afternoon. Nine Build
ines are Lost

WINTHROP, Me-, Oct. 20. Nine build
ings. comprising the entire oil cloth man
ufacturing plant of C. M. Bailey Sons &
Co., in this village, dwelling house
owned and occupied by Frank Pettengill
and an unoccupled house owned by G..
M, Bailey, were destroyed by fire
which started in the factory shortly
after O'Clock this afternoon, the total
loss being more than S100, 900. Several
other buildings on Royal street caught
fire, including the Maine Central rail-
road station and freight shed and the
residences of Cyrus G. Wood, Mary
Bates, Albina Webster and Herbert G.
Moulton, while the dwelling house of
Edward A. Jones was some time in dan
ger.
Cause of Fire,
Friction caused by the slipping of a
machine knife in the paint shop, which
was recently constructed, is thought to
have been the cause, the flames leaping
along the strip of cloth into a quantity
of combustibles placed in the room. The
plant had only water pail accommoda-
tons and little could be done to stop the
spreading of the flames. The alarm was
turned in from box % at the railroad
crossing, little after o'clock and the
local fire department, finding itself un-
able to successfully combat the fast
spreading flames, sent to Lewiston for
aid, the Spindle City responding with
steamer, hose cart and dozen men led
by Capt. P. G. Cronin. The apparatus
was loaded within a half hour and made
the 20 mile run in "a minutes. At the
time the city teams reached here the
baggage room at the Maine Central sta
ton had been Quilted and the roof of the
passenger building had caught but was
saved by quick work.
Over dozen houses in the vicinity of
the Bailey plant took fire at different
times but were brought through without
serious damage, crews being stationed
on every roof. The total damage is estl-
mated at $3.50, 900 and while a heavy in
surance is carried with State and outside
companies it could not be ascertained to-
night how much of the damage is COW
cred.
Costly Machine Damaged.
One of the machines used in the paint
shop had recently been purchased at a
! cost of about S1t. 900, which with expert
work necessary in setting up was said to
have represented an expenditure of $685.
600. This machine was partly preserved.
The firm of C. M. Bailey & Sons Co.
is one of the best known oil cloth manu-
facturers in New England and was start
ed by G. M. Bailey of Winthrop some so
years ago, who with his sons and SONS in
law formed partnership. c. M. Bailey
retired from the business two years ago
rich man, his sons continuing the work
Twice before the firm has suffered Sc
we're losses by fire and has rebuilt, and it
said that they will again erect necessary
buildings to carry on the business. Tenn
porarily, however, it was expected the
| further output will be arranged by plac-
| ing machines necessary in another mill
at the other end of the town where the
company maintains factory.
The Lewiston department did valiant
work after their arrival as they had to
fight against the wind and managed to
stop any serious damage at the railroad
station. Some 270O feet of hose was
laid from the MIGRANTS across the tracks
and the steamer was a valuable asset in
carrying the necessary pressure. The
department left for home at 8.55 with
the flames under control.
A house owned by Frank Pettlngill on
Royal street valued at 81, 200 was des-
troyed. Practically all Of the house fur
nishings were saved. Another house
near the factory was also destroyed, this
being unoccupied at the time. 6gfsss,
= Bailey :Plant Total Loss.
J Six buildings.c omprisedl the set, belong