I W Livezey & Co Saw Mill Fire in Newport
The Daily Commonwealth, Saturday, May 17, 1879, page 1
Last night about 11 o'clock whole sky south west of
Newport was illuminated with the blaze of a furious and destructive fire, which
proved to be the large and magnificent saw mill of I W Livezey & Co, located in
the square bounded by Chestnut, Walnut and Lowell streets and the Licking River.
The origin of the fire is not positively known, but probability seems on
the side of the theory offered of incendiarism. The watchman James
Cummins, says that he had just made his rounds, and returning to the vicinity of
the shaving pit, near the engine, which he had left all right but a few minutes
before, he was almost paralyzed by the sudden bursting forth of the most
furious flame, which leapt from shed to shed, making its way with such fearful
and destructive rapidity that in fifteen minutes from the time he saw it, the
main building was in flames.
The alarm, according to the watchman, was promptly turned in, but we have an abundance of evidence that it was fully fifteen minutes after fire first burst forth that the alarm was sounded. The Newport and Covington hose reels promptly responded and had it not been for the breaking of one of the plugs, much of the adjoining lumber would have been saved. As it was however, little could be done to subdue the fire, as it was master of the situation from the start.
By a well directed play of the hose it was kept from spreading. Had the wind been blowing from the west instead of the east, the whole city would have been at the mercy of the flames. As frequently occurs in this life, that which brings pain and sorrow to some is the source of pleasure to others and so was the fire last night. For while all deprecated the misfortune of its owners, few but were thrilled by the magnificent sight as the wild flame shot its hissing tongues up into the blue vaults of heaven, writhing, roaring and crackling and illuminating for miles with its terrible glamour, hills, houses and boats. The scene presented was one not soon to be forgotten.
Mr. Livezey who resides in Covington, was called upon, but could state nothing, as he was confined to his house by injuries sustained in falling from his horse on last Wednesday. His son Ellwood is in the East. Mr. Harry Stein the bookkeeper, was called upon and gave his estimate of the losses at about $40,000. The safe was run out of the office and saved. The mill burned November 4, 1874 and the loss then was about $40,000. It was rebuilt and in operation again on the 27th of December following. The building was completely destroyed and most of the lumber. Nothing is left standing but the smokestack.
The insurance amounted to $14,000, distributed
among the following companies:
Lancaster Pa. $3000
North American $1000
Kenton Kentucky $3400
Niagara NY $1000
Roger Williams Mass. $1000
Exchange NY $2000
Knickerbocker NY $2500
Home NY $1000
Total-$14,000
The flames were still burning this morning, but will probably be rung out before noon. We are informed that immediate means will be taken to have the mill rebuilt. During the fire, James Woodsides, one of the Newport Fire Department was overcome with the heat and had to be carried to Dr. Davis' house, No 18 Walnut street, where restoratives were applied. Although he was soon resuscitated it was found that he had sustained internal injuries from the heat which had aggravated an old complaint with which he had been suffering and which threatened his life.
A boy by the name of Thomas Hallet fell from
one of the surrounding lumber piles and had to be carried to his home on
Tibbatts street by some of his friends. Our worthy County
Judge rendered efficient aid in various ways and was conscious as one of the
most energetic hose men. One of the most entertaining and I
might say surprising features of the occasion, was the presence of a large
number of ladies whose endishabille and heavy eyes was the subject of general
remark. Many of their friends would not have recognized them.
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Livezey Mill Fire
The loss of mill and lumber is estimated at
$25,000. Insurance, on building and machinery, $8000; on lumber, $2000; on
warehouse and contents, $2400. Of this our Home Company, the Kenton has a $1000
on the mill building.
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The Newport Fire
Chief Glore armed his force promptly upon sight of the blaze last night, sending the ladder wagon to the Licking neighborhood to guard against sparks setting houses on fire on Garrard street. Live cinders, as big as a man's two hands, were picked up on Greenup street. The sixth street engine was sent to Newport voluntarily and the boys are not very well pleased by their reception.
The Newport fireman seemed to give them the cold shoulder. The chief having charge of a reel with several hundred feet still on it, said he would see first whether it was needed or not, and then never paid any more attention to the request. Chief Link evidently didn't care whether the Covington boys remained on the spot or not.
The Department really had no business to go without a request from Newport. But Chief Glore acted as any good hearted man of judgment would have done under the circumstances.