Americus times-recorder., 1919-10-28
ONLY $4,000
INSURANCE ON
PLANT DOING
WORLD TRADE
Several Spectators Hurt
BY Hose-To Rebuild
Factory Somewhere

me sawyer macmne shops, IN
which were manufactured products
which were sold all over the world,
located on Furlow street at the Sea-
board crossing, was burned to the
ground in a fire starting about 4 40
o'clock this morning. The loss was
estimated by w. Fl. Sawyer, presi-
dent of the company, this afternoon
at between $4,000 and $50, 900, with
insurance of only $4,000 at would
take $4,000 or $4,000 to replace
the plant" said Mr.. Sawyer.
When the fremen reached the
scene the entire plant, which was a
two-story brick structure, well filled
with lathes, machines and tools, was
mass of flame, and six cottages close
by, three fronting it on Furlow street
and three on Elm avenue, were either
already blazing from the scorching
or were ready to burst into fame, and
the firemen confined their efforts to
saving these structures. 1t was not
until four hours after they answered
the call that the firemen were able to
leave the ruins.
Spectators Injured.
During the height Of the fire half
"a dozen spectators, residents of the
neighborhood, were injured when a
hose, which the truck was laying
around a corner took a short cut
across lots on being stretched out,
knocking them down. A Mr.. Nor
mon, an aged man, was severely hurt
and was hurried to his home by
friends. John Rushin and several
others were hurled forcibly to the
earth when struck about the ankles
by the heavy hose.
1t was commented upon that during
the entire fire not police officer was
present to assist the firemen in keep
ing the crowds back.
eve didn't have chance to save
the plant" was the comment of Fire
Chief Naylor after the blaze was out.
when we reached the scene the en-
tire plant was a mass of flames. In
fact, DR.. E. L. Murray, who phoned
| the call, said the plant was complete
ly afre when he first saw it. AS a
consequence there is nothing left to
indicate the origin of the fire"
Doing Worid Wide Business.
The Sawyer plant, which was oper-
I,ated by the firm of W. Fl. Sawyer &
Sons, composed of W. H. Sawyer and
two sons. Fred and Ned, while doing
I u general machine shop business, spec
ialized in the manufacture of pat
ented scale for the weighing of fer
tilizers and other materials going
through hoppers, sacking machines
and valves. 1t employed IA skilled
men. These products have become
known in many foreign countries,
particularly the scales, South America
being large purchaser of them.
eve had heavy orders ahead" said
Mr. Sawyer this afternoon, and the
mail this morning brought several
more from New England.
"Will we rebuild? Yes, we expect
to, but just where is matter that
will not be determined for day or
two-not until the insurance is ad-
justed, Ny son, Fred, who was in
I Charleston, is on his way here and
will be here tomorrow. Then a con-
ference win be held and plans laid
for the future.
'It is difficult for the observer to
see just how heavy our loss is. There
we're great many things that were
very valuable, such as a great guam
tity of blue prints used in the manu-
facture of our machines; fine and
special tools which will be costly and
difficult to replace, and numerous
other items that run into money rap
idly. The whole plant is gone, and we
will have to start all over"