Fire in Mt. Upton
Rockwells Mills Totally Destroyed
Chenango Union, August 24, 1870
The Mt. Upton Woolen Mills, owned by C.W. Rockwell, were entirely destroyed by fire last Saturday night. The fire was first discovered about half past eleven o'clock at night, by a man and boy who slept in the sale room, and who with difficulty got out to give the alarm. It originated in the room over the Dyeing room, and at the time of discovery had made such headway that there was no hope of saving the building, and but little of the stock and fixtures could be got out. There was about 12,000 pounds of wool, and a large amount of cloth in the building. The wool was all destroyed, but a few pieces of cloth were saved, by falling though the burning floor, into the water below; it was, however, badly damaged. Of the machinery, only three small shearing machines were saved.
The loss is estimated by Mr. Rockwell at $32,000, as follows: Loss on wool, cloths etc. $20,000; on building and machinery, $12,000. The insurance, we are informed was light.
The loss is very severe on Mr. Rockwell. In 1861 he owned a similar factory in Hartwick, Otsego County, which was totally destroyed by fire. In 1862 he removed to Mt. Upton, and purchased of his brother the Mt. Upton mills, and has succeeded in building up a splendid business, only to have his prospects again blighted, and his fortune swept away in a single hour by fire. He is a gentleman universally esteemed as an upright and worthy citizen and in his severe trial has the sympathies of all who know him. His loss will be felt by the people of Chenango and Otsego Counties, who have found his mills a convenient and pleasant place to do business; and we sincerely hope that he may receive substantial encouragement to rebuild.
This is the third woolen factory that has been burned on the same site.
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