Source: North Manchester Journal, September 30, 1909

INCENDIARY FIRE AT HOOSIER PLANT
Big Damage to Stock and Building by Fire Sunday Morning.

The interior of the Hoosier Skirt factory was badly damaged early Sunday morning by a fire that was clearly of incendiary origin, and that has made it necessary to close the factory pending an insurance adjustment. It was about 3:30 that Vernie Cripe, night engineer at the electric light station stepped to the north door of the engine room and saw clouds of smoke coming from the Skirt factory across the street. He gave the alarm by sounding the factory whistle, and the firemen were soon at the building and fighting the fire. At first it was difficult to locate the fire. The building is of frame covered with iron, and there were clouds of smoke coming from all parts of it. At last the main part of the fire was discovered to be in the partition between the office and the stock room, a considerable quantity of boxed skirts being stacked along there. This fire was soon out, and then other little blazes were found in various parts of the building, but they were soon under control.

There is no doubt that the fire was of incendiary origin, and the plans had been pretty well laid. A few minutes more time or a little less effective work in fighting it would have meant a total loss, for had the fire got any headway inside there would have been no way of saving it. Whoever started the fire had gone into the building by prying open a north window. A big bunch of paper lithographs that were stored in the west end of the building were used for kindling. A line of those was spread from the west end of the lower story to the stairway, up the stairway and from the head of the stairs north to the machine department, and west to the end of the second story stock room. Coal oil had been liberally scattered over these, and had also been thrown on the paste board boxes that were on both sides of the string of paper. In the engine room a pile of kindling had been placed against the wooden side wall, and a fire started there. Altogether it was well planned, and only one thing was overlooked. Had a window been opened below and one above, there would have been little chance for the building, but as it was the fire burned slowly because of the lack of draft.

The building and contents were well protected by insurance, and it is expected that the insurance adjusters will be here this week to adjust the loss. The insurance is carried in three agencies. H.B. Tilman has $6,500 of which $3,250 is on the stock and material, $1,555 on the building, $1,555 on the machinery and $140 on the engine. A.B. Thomas agency has $4,500, of which $2,480 is on the building, $980 on the machinery, $1,000 on the stock and $40 on the engine. The M.F. Adams agency has $1,500, of which $370.00 is on the building, $370.00 on the machinery and $750 on the material and stock.

The Hoosier Skirt Manufacturing Co. is composed of J.W. Strauss and Eli Isenbarger. The first start of the company was in the fall of 1900 when Mr. Isenbarger and M.L. Butterbaugh embarked in making overalls. Since then the output has been changed to the Favorite petticoats, and Mr. Strauss became interested in the firm, Mr. Butterbaugh retiring. The company has done a good business most of the time, and has sold skirts all over the country. There has been a good demand for their goods, and everything looked well for it. An estimate of the loss could not be made until the adjusters and the members of the firm go over the building together. One heavy item of the stock that escaped injury was the supply of silks. The bolts of this were kept in a fire proof vault, and were uninjured. It is estimated that there were over four thousand dollars worth of these on hand.

The fire department is worthy of especial commendation for its work at this fire. The alarm came just at the time when people would be sleeping the soundest, but for all of that there was quick work in getting to the fire. No alarm was telephoned up town but Driver Parmerlee thinks that he heard the first toot of the whistle. He was hitched to the wagon and ready to go in a few seconds, but had to wait a little bit for other members of the company. Especially good work was done after getting to the burning building.

It is thought by the owners of the factory that the machinery part will be ready to run again by Monday. It is the intention to hurry repairs as rapidly as possible, for there is much work ahead for the factory at this season of the year.