Port Washington, WI Fire, Feb 1899

Fire at Port Washington, Wis.

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis., Feb. 19. - Fire which started at 9:30 o'clock to-night in the large plant of the Wisconsin Chair Company threatens to destroy the whole town. Help has been summoned from Milwaukee and Sheboygan. At 11:30 to-night the chair factory had been burned. This plant alone was valued at $300,000, and employed 600 hands. A large lumber yard adjoins the plant, and the flames are spreading with great rapidity.

The New York Times, New York, NY 20 Feb 1899

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PORT WASHINGTON FIRE.

Wisconsin Chair Company Plant Was Totally Destroyed.

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis., Feb. 21. - The fire which totally destroyed the plant of the Wisconsin Chair company, covering three blocks, and laying waste three additional squares was finally brought under control shortly before 3 o'clock a. m. The loss to the chair company will be about $300,000; fully covered by insurance. The loss to other property will amount to about $50,000, partially covered by insurance. The small losses were sustained by about 30 or 40 individuals.

The Wisconsin Chair company was the largest manufacturing concern in the town and gave employment to about 600 men. The fire started in the veneering department from some unknown cause, and spread with such alarming rapidity that the big 4-story building, covering an area of 50 x 80, was soon reduced to ashes. The lumber yards and warehouses adjoining were well stocked and furnished good food for the flames, which soon made short work of the chair company's property, covering three blocks.

Engineer Guchie of the chair company is missing, and it is feared he perished.

The Aberdeen Daily News, Aberdeen, SD 21 Feb 1899
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Transcribed by Tim Taugher. Thanks, Tim!