Bristol, Pennsylvania

Providence Hosiery Mills Fire

March 1896

PROVIDENCE HOSIERY MILLS BURNED.

The Most Destructive Fire Bristol Has Ever Had-Loss About $100,000.

The Providence Hosiery Mills, on Buckley street, belonging to the estate of Samuel Appleton were totally destroyed by fire at an early hour on Tuesday morning. Property valued at over $100,000 was reduced to ashes and two hundred employees have been thrown out of work.

Shortly before one o’clock the mill was discovered to be on fire. It is supposed to have had its origin in a room where paper boxes, such as are used in putting up hosiery, are stored. No fire was kept in the room and the cause of its inception is unaccounted for. The mill whistles first gave the alarm. Three alarms were simultaneously given from the fire alarm boxes, and the locomotive whistles added their shrill notes of warning.

Soon the fire companies were on the ground, and eight streams of water were directed against the flames. A stiff breeze from the northwest blowed steadily and rendered their efforts of but little avail. It was soon seen that the buildings were doomed, but the firemen worked heroically all night and by their efforts saved much valuable property. The sky was lighted by the flames for miles around. In Doylestown the reflection could be seen. The sparks and burning fabrics were borne by the fierce wind in every direction and a dozen more houses were in great danger. On Penn, on Wilson, on Pond and on Radcliffe streets the burning cinders fell on the roofs and but for the vigilance of the watchers would have cause incalculable damage. Some were even carried across the river into Burlington. The solid stone masonry of the big carpet mill acted as a barrier to a great deal of the flying, burning material, and it is thought that but for this a great portion of the borough would have been doomed.

S. B. Ardrey & Son’s machine shop on Pond street was several times seriously threatened. A dwelling adjoining DeWitt’s green houses has a narrow escape. The house occupied by William B. Rogers, on Radcliffe street, directly opposite the water works, caught fire, which was promptly quenched with a bucket of water. The firemen, when it was seen that other portions of the town were in danger, were distributed in different parts of the borough in order to give prompt service. William E. Doran had steam up in the ferry boat and the crew readiness to go to Burlington at a moment’s notice, should aid be required from the Burlington fire department.

The intense cold made it hard work for the firemen. The spray blown by the wind upon their clothes, formed a solid coat of ice, and some were so covered they found it impossible to move their arms until they thawed out.

The firemen of Bristol feel exceedingly grateful to those people who so nobly ministered to the comfort of the half frozen men at the Appleton mill fire. A Gazette reporter overheard the following: “Say, and if it hadn’t been for Bob King and his pailfull of hot coffee, all us fellows on top of the Mission would have been froze stiff.”

Mr. King started soon after the fire broke out, and was untiring in his efforts to supply the men, handling the lines of hose, with cups of coffee, working hard all night at his self-appointed task.

Mrs. McIlvaine opened her house and many a poor fellow feels grateful for relief from frozen hands and feet.

Mrs. Pierson did all that lay in her power for relief and comfort of the firemen.

Several other citizens supplied coffee and kept good hot fires in their stoves for the relief of those who succumbed to the intense cold.

The Providence mills were built about six years ago. From a small beginning they grew until they became among the finest in the state. The buildings, which were mostly of brick, were about 159x100 feet, and were principally two stories high. The entire annual product of about 250,000dozens of hosiery and underwear, was handled by the well known firm of Young, Smyth, Field & Co., of Philadelphia.

The amount of insurance on the hosiery mills and stock is not definitely determined yet. The safe was opened on Tuesday and the books and paper found in good condition. Yesterday Mr. Robert Pierson, who controls the mills, was engaged in looking over its contents. He thinks the insurance now in force amounts to $87,000 or over.

In addition to the loss of the Providence mills, two frame dwelling houses, one owned by the Appleton estate, and the other by Mrs. Sarah Hayes, were destroyed. They were occupied by Michael Rafferty and George Lee. Mr. Lee had an insurance of $300 on his household goods. The buildings were also insured. Mrs. Hayes’ building was insured in the Phoenix of London, for $800, and the one belonging to the Appleton estate for $600.

After the matters connected with the insurance are adjusted Mr. Pearson expects that work will promptly begin in rebuilding the mills.

The Bucks County Gazette, Bristol, PA 5 Mar 1896

Big Hosiery Mill Burned.

Bristol, Pa., March 4.-The loss by the burning of the Providence Hosiery mill yesterday is now estimated at $125,000, but this is fully covered by insurance. About 400 hands are thrown out of work by the fire.

Middletown Daily Argus, Middletown, NY 4 Mar 1896

Articles transcribed by Dawn.  Thanks, Dawn!

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