The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-07-12

Two workmen in the building, while
unframed by the lightning. were al
most overcome by smoke before they
escaped from the burning building.
The loss is estimated at $4,000 with
insurance of $4,000. The fire comes
as a great calamity on the community
in that the plant employed forty work
men, all of whom will now be forced
TO seek employment elsewhere while
rebuilding plans are being considered.
Fireman Sees Bolt.
John LaPine, fireman on the 500
Line engine, which is kept at the Sill
verlake station each night, saw the
bolt of lightning strike the east wing
OF the building and saw that part of
the structure become Immediately en-
veIoped in flames. He aroused the en-
tire village by blowing the whistle on
the locomotive and within a compare
t1vely short time force of several
hundred had arrived at the scene of
the fire to help fight the flames.
Meanwhile within the burning build
ing George Sandburg and John Miller.
two workmen, while they had knoaal
shae 1e lightning ppeared t. strike
close, We're unaware that the building
bad been struck. They continued at
their work until smoke had almost
flied the building. Realizing then that
something was wrong they rushed from
the burning building only short time
before the east wing of it collapsed.
Too Far from Lake.
John Ludwig, captain of the volun-
teer fire department, and his entire
force were on the scene shortly after
the blaze was discovered but was
unable to fight the flames effectively
because of the fact that the apparatus
could not be utilized. The foundry
was located so far from the lake that
water could not be secured from that
source. There is a we'll in the neigh
borhood of the foundry but the fire.
men could not get the hose into the
well and were powerless to prevent the
flames from destroying the entire
building.
They did, however, prevent the fire
from spreading to the Office building
nearby and saved small quantity OF
material and machinery that could be
moved. A bucket brigade was organ
lied and did efficient work but was
unable to halt the flames in the main
structure.
The fire was a most spectacular one,
lighting up the entire countryside and
attracting hundreds of people from
neighboring villages. In two hours the
building had been burned to the
ground and the machinery within il
completely ruined.
Built in 1916.
The foundry building was erected in
1916. It was a brick structure with
frame roof and gables, costing, when
it was erected, approximately $4,000.
A large amount of expensive machin-
cry together with materials stored in
the structure brought the total less
above the $4,000 mark. The build
ing was the property of R. NJ. Dixon
and c. B. Bohrn.
Mr.. Dixon, who is also general
manager Of the company, stated this
morning that a meeting Of the stock
holders OF the company had been call
ed to determine what would be done
with the outstanding untitled orders
of the company. The firm had been
doing most profitable business and
had work ahead for several months.
1t had been employing between 40 and
so workmen, all Of whom will temper
arily at least be forced to seek em-
ployment elsewhere.
May Plan to Rebuild.
1t was stated that a decision as to
whether or not the company would
rebuild the foundry would be consid-
cred at the meeting Of the stockhold-
ers and officers of the company to be
held this afternoon. The company is
very much concerned over the future
Of its employees and every effort will
be made to place them in other indus
tries. 1t would require at least six
months to rebuild the foundry even if
plans were undertaken to replzce it.
GHncc Eov141paaf Hives