Hayes Saw And Planing Mill Destroyed In Large Fire

On May 8, 1875 around 5:00 p.m. firemen were aroused by the cry of fire. It was soon realized that the location of the fire was the large saw and planing mill belonging to Dr. D.D. Hayes located at the corner of Railroad and Orange Street, Shippensburg.

When firemen arrived the fire was in the middle and south side of the building. The fire did not spread beyond the building of origin initially because the roof was made mostly of gravel. Many of the cellars on the east side of Railroad Street were filled with water so the Vigilant Fire Company's engine was soon placed in service drafting from them, and placing three lines on the fire. The Cumberland Valley Fire Company's engine was taken to Orange Street and a line was placed in service there. The firemen soon realized that they could not extinguish the large fire and attempts were made to protect the nearby buildings. The intense heat was to much for the surrounding buildings and soon a number of buildings opposite the mill were ablaze. On Orange Street a one-story structure used for storing finished work was burning, on Railroad Street four dwellings were soon ablaze, including those owned by Judge Ruby and Dr. Stewart. The Vigilant engine after exhausting the water in the cellars and wells on Railroad Street was moved to the Branch and pumped a strong uninterrupted stream until the arrival of the Chambersburg steamer. A telegraph was sent to Chambersburg and the fire department was soon loading a train, the train was delayed but still made it to Shippensburg in time to help the effort. The Chambersburg steamer was placed on Orange Street at the Branch stream and soon a heavy stream of water from it was being played on the fire. The Cumberland boys after emptying the wells on Orange Street moved their engine to the C.V. Railroad water tank and flowed water there until the tank was drained. The Shippensburg News reported that the brakes were fully manned, and at no time was there a lack of willing hands and strong arms to keep the engines working.

During the blaze borough authorities requested the hotel and saloon keepers to close their bars for the evening to keep the rowdyism down. One Cumberland Valley fireman was injured when he got caught between the brakes and platform of the engine. In Carlisle the Court House bell was rung alerting firemen to the incident. The apparatus was readied and the Empire Hook and Ladder Company was placed on a car and an engine from the South Mountain R.R. was hooked up to transport them to the fire, but their services were not needed.

Damages were estimated in excess $40,000, a very large sum of money for 1875, could you imagine what that would amount to today. Just think of the amount of alarms we would have gone to and the quantity of fire apparatus, remember this was worked with two hand engines, a steamer, two hose reels and possibly a hose carriage.

I don't like to go to many days without a photograph on my post and they are just hard to come by so for today I will post one of the Vigilant ribbons I have in my collection.