1876 Tripp Brothers Box Factory Fire

"In January of 1876 on Sunday a fire was discovered in the basement or sawmill department of Tripp brothers extensive box factory on River Street. A general alarm was given and the fire department was quickly on the spot and the machine in operation.  The fire had gained considerable headway before the engines were in working position, and to the lookers on the destruction of the entire property seemed inevitable, but the firemen worked with a will.  The engineers directed a judicious use of the three streams from Eureka No.1 the two from the outside engines of the mill and the one stream from Volunteer No.2 and it was soon evident that the fire was under control. In the department where it took the fire made sad work, destroying even the heavy timbers of the frame, crumbling the granite underpinning, etc. The flames ran through the main structure but were only permitted to char certain portions of it.  The ell however will have to be rebuilt. The firm bestows much praise on the firemen and the citizens generally, as will be seen by their card elsewhere, for their successful efforts in saving so large a portion of their property. Tripp brothers estimate their loss at $4000, and had no insurance. They commenced the work of rebuilding early Monday morning and expect to be in running order again by Saturday. One item of loss is $500 worth of belting. The fire was incendiary, evidently being set in the shavings near the saw mill and under the planer. It is not probable that the fire was maliciously set, but as two boys were seen loitering about the mill just previous to the fire it is thought they may have caused it by smoking. Much credit is due to the thoughtful neighbors and others who generously supplied the firemen with refreshments during their long service."

This story was taken from the Hudson news.