Reports from two newspapers on the fire that destroyed a portion of Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania in November, 1912.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, November 13, 1912:
LYKENS VISITED BY GREAT FIRE
Loss On Factories and Homes Will Likely Reach $100,000
Practically the entire upper end of Lykens was threatened with destruction last evening when fire which broke out in the factory of the Fisher Hosiery Company, consumed two big factories, damaged a third, wiped out three dwellings, and caused a monetary loss estimated at $100,000.
Scores of persons will be thrown out of employment for some time as the result of the conflagration. Last night the town was in total darkness due to the fact that considerable of the lighting system was destroyed.
Lykens fire fighters, aided by a delegation from Williamstown, worked valiantly and succeeded in checking what for a time took on the appearance of a fiery furnace.
The following buildings were destroyed:
Residence of Michael Hoffman.
Residence of his son, William E. Hoffman.
Residence of Goodheart Nau.
Factory of Fisher Hosiery Company.
Sheesley Brush factory.
In addition the overall factory of John W. Reiff was badly damaged.
Aside from the fact that the fire started in the hosiery factory, nothing is known as to the origin. Firemen who centered their work on the larger buildings, were for a time no match for the flames, which leaped across the streets and alleys. Unsatisfactory water pressure is said to have been responsible. The conflagration attracted immense crowds from Wiconisco, Williamstown, the town of Lykens and the nearby communities.
One of the most pathetic losses of the conflagration was the destruction o war and other relics gathered by Michael M. Hoffman, during his lifetime. Mr. Hoffman was a veteran of the Civil War and from the battlefield and friends, he had gathered together a priceless collection of souvenirs. These he kept in one room, a veritable museum, which was visited by many persons who came to this place. All the relics are lost. As a collector, Mr. Hoffman was known in many quarters of the United States.
Destruction of the factories will throw many persons out of employment. At the hosiery mill mor than 75 persons found employment, while at the other two places equally as many will be temporarily out of work. Some of the furniture of the dwelling houses was saved.
The scene of the fire was in North Street, not far from the Reading [Railroad] station and on the Wiconisco side of the town.
Harry M. Hoffman, 210 North Third Street [Harrisburg], is the son of Michael M. Hoffman. He was informed of the fire last evening and left this morning on an early train for Lykens. He said last evening that his father’s loss is partially covered by insurance.
John H. Eby, one of the County Commissioners, who is a resident of Lykens, said this morning that lack of water pressure was entirely responsible for the majority of the buildings being destroyed.
Residents of the upper end town, he said, are of the opinion that the water mains contain considerable sediment or are corroded. Mr. Eby said that the success of the firemen was almost entirely due to the fact that the mine pumps were put into action.
These were attached about an hour after the alarm was sounded, he said, and if the same pressure had been obtained at the beginning he declared that the blaze would have been confined to the hosiery factory and that structure would only have been damaged.
The commissioner said that the residents as yet have taken no action in the matter, though he said he believed that a movement will be started toward ascertaining the condition of the water mains and, if necessary, putting them through a cleaning operation.
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From the Lykens Standard, November 15, 1912:
DISASTROUS FIRE TUESDAY
Fisher Hosiery Mill and Four Residences Destroyed
LOSS NOT LESS THAN $50,000
The Fisher Hosiery Mill, a two-and-a-half story frame dwelling west of the mill, also the property of the J. R. Fisher estate, the residences of William Hoffman, M. M. Hoffman, Goodheart Nau, and the Sheesely Brush Factory on North Street, were totally destroyed by fire Tuesday evening, entailing a loss of about $50,000, partly covered by insurance. The fire originated in the eastern part of the hosiery mill, but from what cause is unknown. The hosiery mill, which was located at the northeast corner of North and Pine Streets, was a two-and-a-half story frame building, 140 feet in length and employed 45 hands. Since the death of the founder, John R. Fisher, several years ago, the mill has been operated for the estate by the elder son, Harry Fisher, and another son, Park Fisher, had charge of the machinery. The latter, after the mill closed down Tuesday evening, as was his usual custom, made a round of the mill and found everything safe. Shortly after 8 o’clock fire was discovered in the eastern part of the building and an alarm sounded. Liberty Hose Company responded at once and connected with the plug at the Bright property which was clogged up with mud and it was several minutes before the firemen could get a stream on the flames. Another connection was made with a plug on North Street a short distance east of the fire and one at the plug on Pine Street near the Fred Mucher property. The three streams so lowered the pressure, however, that it was impossible to reach the tops of the houses and it was feared that that entire section of town would be wiped out.
C. N. Finton, outside foreman at Short Mountain Colliery then came to the rescue with 1,000 feet of hose and about the same time 500 feet arrived from Williamstown. Mr. Finton ordered the colliery pump on the North side of Wiconisco Creek started and connected this hose to the pump soon had two lines of 600 feet each playing on the flames and did effective work. It was evident from the start that the hosiery mills could not be saved nor perhaps the Hoffman properties, but with adequate water pressure, there is no reason why the Nau property could not have been saved. Across the alley from the Nau property is the William Zerby property. Mr. Zerby by the use of garden hose, wet carpets and a bucket brigade managed to keep his home from catching afire until a stream from the hose came to his rescue and the fire did not reach beyond the Nau property.
The Sheesley Brush Factory was located on the north side of North Street east of the hosiery mill but had not been operated for some time. The loss on the building an contents is covered by insurance.
The properties of M. M. Hoffman, William Hoffman and Goodheart Nau were each insured for $1,000 and each carried $200 on their furniture. The hosiery mill with manufactured and raw material on hand was valued at $40,000 with the limit of insurance. Twelve new knitting machines arrived at the Philadelphia and Reading Depot Tuesday that would have been installed the next day and twelve more are on the road. It is fortunate that these did not arrive sooner or all would have been destroyed. The dwelling west of the hosiery mill was also insured and was occupied by Andrew Bick. In the haste of removing his furniture it was considerably damaged. He found shelter with a countryman a few doors west.
On the opposite side of the street resided Thomas Flynn in the Breit property. This building was on fire three times but was saved. Nearly all of the furniture of the destroyed homes was saved, and stored at various places. A. A. Rudisill was among the first to offer storage room and has the thanks of the distressed families.
One of the most pathetic losses of the conflagration was the destruction of war and other relics gathered by M. M. Hoffman, a veteran of the Civil War.
Mr. Nau and wife for the present are living with Aloia Schieder, M. M. Hoffman and family found quarters in James Bailey‘s home and William Hoffman and family are staying with Frank Stuppy.
The great loss incurred by Tuesday evening’s fire is altogether inexcusable and we hope it will lead to better fire protection in the future. We have a policeman who is paid $40 per month and who has practically nothing to do all day. Why not have him open the fire plugs at least once a month and have them unobstructed when needed. A test should also be made of the water pressure in the mains and if it is found that they are corroded to such an extent as to interfere with the proper pressure, to insist upon them being cleaned at once. And furthermore, if sufficient pressure cannot be obtained from the mains let Council purchase a steamer, chemical engine, or some other device to protect the homes of our citizens in case of fire. What effect will Tuesday evening’s conflagration have on insurance rates? Gentlemen of borough council, the people whom you represent look to you to give them the protection they are entitled to. Don’t delay the matter!
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Articles from Newspapers.com.
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