Watertown, WI Factory Destroyed, Apr 1945

BOX FACTORY AT WATERTOWN IS DESTROYED.

Watertown, Wis. -- (UP) -- Firemen battled for five and one-half hours before extinguishing a fire which started early today and destroyed the IRA L. HENRY Paper Box manufacturing concern.
The company's three-story main plant building burned to the ground, as did two warehouses containing large supplies of paper board used in production, several company trucks, all plant machinery and office equipment. No one was injured.
Ixonia, Oconomowoc and Watertown firemen fought the fire which, since the company had no night watchman, had a good start before discovery by the local depot agent. Two minor explosions occurred during the fire fighting, but cause of the blaze was unknown.
The plant which employed approximately 60 persons, was engaged in about 60 per cent war work. No estimate was given as to the loss. However, company officials said they would not be able to rebuild for the machinery, now unobtainable, was completely destroyed.
Plant President E. A. PRATT was in Florida. General manager was N. T. YOEMANS.

Sheboygan Journal Wisconsin 1945-04-11

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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!