[Welland Tribune, 12 September 1902]
During the severe thunder storm that struck this section about eight o’clock on Wednesday morning, the grain warehouse owned by Mr. R. Cooper, near the G.T.R. station, was struck by lightning and considerable damage done. The flash struck the ridge of the roof at the east end of the building, separated, making a large rip on each side of the building, then passed along the eave trough to the ground. Fortunately the building did not take fire and the roof is really heavily insured. The upper storey however was filled with grain.
A Hot Blaze Tuesday Morning That Brings Losses to Many Firms-
Most of Them Will Recover Damages
[Welland Telegraph, 12 September 1902]
The first fire accompanied by any serious loss which has visited Welland in some months, occurred early Tuesday morning when the Grand Trunk freight sheds were entirely destroyed. The fire was a hot one and exceedingly dangerous to surrounding property, but fortunately it was confined to the building in which it originated. The total loss will be about $1,000 and it was insured.
About 1.40 Tuesday morning Chief Forde, who was on the west side of the canal, noticed a light in the east end of the town. He watched it for a moment and concluded it was a fire. In a short time the alarm was awakening those who could hear it, and not long after the boys turned out and had two streams on the burning building. But it was impossible to save the shed or anything that was in it.
The fire started on the south end, presumably from a spark from a passing engine. By the time it was discovered the one end was enveloped, and before the water was turned on the whole structure was burning fiercely. Inside was a lot of inflammable articles, including a tank and several cans of oil. When the fire struck these the flames shot 50 or 60 feet in the air.
The wind was blowing a gale at the time and at first blew the flames onto several of the surrounding buildings and houses, but though they ignited in several places, the small flames were extinguished without difficulty. Later the wind shifted and that is probably what saved the station. The firemen were able to prevent the fire spreading to the cars on the siding and in an hour had it out.
The loss effects several of the merchants in town who had goods in the shed, but most of them will be able to recover damages. A few who had received notice of the arrival of goods more than 24 hours previous will have to stand the loss themselves.
The principal shipments were:-Frost Wire Fence Co., about $100 worth of fencing and gates; R. Morwood Co., about $50 worth of goods; The Ross Co., about $60 worth of dry goods; S.P. Gourley, St. Catharines, two bath tubs; Peat Fuel Co., 47 sacks of peat; J.B. Taylor & Co., several cases of glass ware; E. Brasford, a buggy; J.M. Livingstone, an organ. In addition to these there were a lot of smaller shipments, and a bicycle belonging to Agent Ouellette, another belonging to Mrs. Phin and a trunk of clothes belonging to Mr. A.T. Krafft.
On Tuesday Inspector Schneckenburger visited the scene of the fire and prepared his report.
A temporary shed will be put up immediately to shelter shipments while a new shed is being erected.
Garner’s Cooper Shop Burned
LOSS ABOUT $750
[Welland Tribune, 14 November 1902]
Welland, Nov. 12-O.H. Garner’s cooper shop out on North Main street was entirely destroyed by fire this morning. The fire started in the middle of the night, and owing to the open and inflammable nature of the building, its distance from the centre of the town and the high wind prevailing, both building and contents were practically all destroyed, the loss amounting to between $700 and $800, on which there was no insurance.
The third and fourth ward hose carts were on hand as early as could be expected under the circumstances, but could not avert the loss.
The fire is attributed to incendiarism, as Mr. Jackson, who lives near by and first saw the fire, declares that it was distant from the dryer, the only place in which fire had been kept on the premises.
Owing to the lateness of the season the business will not be started up again this fall, and the loss will be a material one to the town and fruit growers as well as to Mr. Garner.
COOPER WORKS BURNED
[Welland Telegraph, 14 November 1902]
A hot blaze and a mysterious one consumed O.H. Garner’s cooper works about three o’clock Wednesday morning. The building and contents were a total loss, and there is no insurance to cover it. The fire was seen by the Chief of Police, who was up East Main Street. He tried to turn in an alarm from the two boxes, Nos. 9 and 12, but was unable to make them work. He then used the hand rope in the town hall and succeeded in arousing the firemen. In the meantime, John Mcginnis, who lives on the north side of the burned building, discovered the fire, too. He got out and looked in the window, and saw that the fire was near the door, and not near the heater, which was the only natural source of a fire within. An alarm was sent in from the north side, but it too, failed. By the time the firemen arrived the building was gone, and a stream of water was turned on the ruins. At one time Mr. Mcginnis’ house and the house in front of the shop were both on fire, but were saved, although badly scorched. The total loss will be about $700, most of which was in material. A shipment of 150 barrels had just gone out the evening before. There were five coopers and three helpers employed in the shop, and they had a big lot of orders ahead of them. Mr. Garner says he will not start up the shop again this year, but will attempt to fill his orders from elsewhere. The origin of the fire was undoubtedly incendiary.
Much criticism has been made by the citizens about the fire alarm, which refused to work on Wednesday morning from several points, and the citizens feel that the system should be utterly discarded, rather than left in this unsatisfactory condition. On Wednesday and yesterday the superintendent of the waterworks investigated the trouble, and found that the alarm worked, but that the hammer would not strike the bell. He remedied that and the alarm in is now O.K. from all the boxes. Some people kicked because the tests were made without warning being given, but under the circumstances this time it was excusable, although the public should be warned under ordinary circumstances.
[Welland Tribune, 4 April 1902]
“Riverside Mills” is the very pretty and appropriate name given to Cooper’s new mills here. We understand the name was the choice of Mr. Cooper’s father.
Mr. John Walker of Chatham, a leading milling expert, has been here the past week inspecting the mill. Mr. Walker worked for Mr. Cooper’s father some 25 years ago, soon after he came from his native heather.
The flouring apparata are about all running, and supplementary machinery for buckwheat, cracked wheat, etc. is being placed. When all is done, the Riverside Mill will be one of the best and most up-to-date mills in every respect for their size in the world.
[Welland Telegraph, 18 April 1902]
On Thursday Mr. J. Ross Walker, manager of the Canada Power Mills, of Chatham, one of the largest and best known mills in Canada, said to the Telegraph man that the Riverside Mills are completed.
Mr. Walker is a millwright expert, and has inspected Mr. R. Cooper’s mill. He says for its size this mill is the best in Canada today. During the past three or four years there has been quite a revolution in milling from the old system of round reels to Gyrator system, of which this mill is fully equipped, and with these machines and hand production rolls they are making flour here equal to any in Canada. The flour has been tested and compared with the best produced in the country and is equal to any, and in many cases surpasses its rivals. The Riverside Mills when running full capacity will turn out 150 barrels per day. The machinery in the mill was put in by the famous Goldie & McCullough people, of Galt, who have surpassed themselves on this job, and are due much credit. Mr. Cooper has spared no expense in building a first-class structure and in putting in the best machinery obtainable, and he has now a mill that is a credit to any town and will afford a market for all the grain that can be produced in this section.
Work on the erection of the building was started last fall, and has been pushed on steadily all winter through all kinds of weather and meeting with all kinds of difficulties. The power is obtained from the Welland canal. The old aqueduct was tapped at the south end and two flumes conduct the water to the two wheels which furnish power for the machinery, and the Welland river makes an excellent outlet for the waste water. It is situated on the south bank of the Welland river, fronting East Main street, and is a central location and easily reached by farmers from all directions. The first contract for flour was finished last Saturday night, when 600 bags were shipped to London, Eng. Mr. Cooper is now filling another order of 600 bags for export, which will be shipped as soon as completed. From every point the highest praises are being sent in, and Mr. Cooper will have no trouble in securing a market for the flour produced by the Riverside Mills. Mr. Walker left for his home on Thursday afternoon.
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