Putnam patriot., 1929-12-12
Easiford Manufacturer Sustains Loss of Approximately
 S30,000 Friday Night


 
 In the worst fire that the village of Eas.ford has experienced in the past nineteen years. flames, Friday eve ming. destroyed the main plant of the J. M. Tatem Handle Company. en- tailing loss of approximately $50, 900. partially covered by insur- ance. The origin of the fire is un- known. The only possible solution ad- vanced 5y Mir. Tatem as to the origin of the fire is that it was caused by wiring from a switchboard. This is only arrived at by process of de- duction and is by no means certain.
 The fire was discovered by one of the employees who went into the boiler room. found it filled with smoke, with flames raging and cracking in the rear. J. Nj. Tatem, president of the company, was notified. Glimpsing the situation at a glance Mir. Tatem im- mediately telephoned Willimantic ask ing aid from the organized fire de- partment there.
 Seventeen Miles in Thirty Minutes
 No time was lost in getting the permission of the chairman of the fire committee for a piece of appara- tns to leave the city and the Mack bumper was soon eating up the high way seventeen miles between the fire station and Eastford village. The trip was made by the acting chief, lieutenant and two hoseman in one half hour flat.
 Tn the meantime citizens alarm ed by the church bell. responded and did such work as they could. Some finished product and material outside the bui ding was salvaged. Effort to- ward saving the main building was of no avail and attention was turned to nearby structures. As soon as the Will imantie bumper arrived hose was laid from the stream near the mill. The main building at this time was practically burned to the ground. Water was poured upon the nearby stock houses of the plant and on near by dwellings. The ruins were given at tention whenever possible. The fire men remained on duty until eleven o. clock at night. Mir. Tatem has extend ed his thanks to the firemen.
 Speaking of his loss to Patriot representative Mir. Tatem said that it was found that the greater part of the insurance carried was on the stock houses. the buildings not burn ed. While there was insurance on the main plant. Mir. Tatem let it be under stood that 1t was wholly inadequate and that his loss will be heavy. Ask ed if S30. .000 would cover it he said he thought, with the insurance. il would. adding, "It can not be replaced for that.
 Suggests Putnam
 Mir. Tatem was also asked if he in- tended to rebuild. He said that the in- surance adjusters had not appeared to look the ruins over. He also said that he expected to interview a couple of contractors this week. When 1t was suggested to him that there is a l plant in Putnam ready for him to move into and that he remove his business to this city, he said. Putnam isn't a bad place..
 The J. Nj. Tatem Handle Company l is owned by ]. M Tatem and his two l sons. It is an old. established. success l ful concern. employing about twenty 1 five hands in the manufacture of wooden handles of all kinds. There is another plant engaged in the same business in Eastford.
 The mill. a one story modern build ing. was built nineteen years ago fol- lowing a fire in August. 1910, that destroyed the old pant. Its product is sold in all parts of New England. and some of the articles are sold throughout the country.
 Mir. Tatem appeared to take his loss philosophically He is one of the foremast citizens O. eastern Windham county and is widely known. As his two sons grew to manhood they be- came associated in the business with their father and it has been carried on with great success. It will contin- ue as before as soon as plans for n new factory have been carried out