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FATAL FIRE AT MERRITTON
JOHN BOYLE A VICTIM
Merritton, Jan. 3
(By Telegram to the Tribune)
(Welland Tribune, 4 January 1889)
A little after four o’clock this morning the fire alarms were sounded at the different mills and factories in the village. Upon getting into the street a fire could be seen at the north of the village. The fireman were at once on hand and proceeded with the hose cart in the direction of the blaze. As they drew near to the blaze it was discovered to be what is called the lower mill of the Lincoln paper mills. The firemen were comparatively useless as far as saving the mill was concerned; it being a frame building it burned with great rapidity and collapsed in a very short time. The building and contents are a total loss. Loss supposed to be about $15,000 or more, partly insured, amount not ascertained as yet. There were about fifteen hands at work at the time, all of whom barely escaped with their lives, having to leave their coats in the burning building.
Mr. John Boyle, brother to conductor Boyle of Welland railway, was burnt to death. Persons who were a work at the time say that he woke up and gave another man his coat and hat and and told him to take them out, and as he was not seen afterwards, it was generally believed that he had perished in the flames, which was proved to be only too true when about 7.30 o’clock his charred remains were discovered in the ruins. He was a young man about 35 years of age. He was a widower and leaves one child, his wife having died about two years ago.
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