From The Warminster Herald And General Weekly Advertiser For Wilts., Somerset and Dorset, Saturday 29th November 1873:
DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF BISHOPSTROW MILLS
On Sunday afternoon last the corn mill known as Bishopstrow Mill was entirely destroyed by fire. The mill was in the occupation of Mr. William Hayter, an old and much-respected inhabitant of the parish, whose dwelling-house adjoined the mill, and indeed was partly under the same roof.
The fire was discovered between two and three o’clock in the afternoon, and no time was lost in dispatching a messenger to Warminster, to apprise the police of the fire, and to obtain the assistance of a fire engine. With most commendable promptitude, Mr. Superintendent Abbott and Inspector Pierce, with several constables of the force reached the scene of the conflagration. The large fire-engine under the control of Mr. Robert White, was got out and conveyed to the mill, a distance of nearly two miles, with wonderful alacrity. Indeed, the application of the engine had not been made five minutes before it was, with all necessary appliances, on its way to the fire. The mill was of ancient structure, and internally was largely composed of wood, which was very dry, and burnt most readily.
When the engine arrived, the fire had got such a hold that it seemed impossible it could be extinguished. The engine, however, was in capital working order, and there being plenty of water, the large discharge pipe was used. The result was surprising; an immense quantity of water was discharged on the fire, and ultimately it was got under, though not till the mill, with its machinery, was entirely destroyed. Strenuous efforts was made to save the dwelling-house and buildings adjoining the mill, and the furniture and effects. The furniture was all removed, but it was rendered virually valueless, having to be tumbled out of the windows and down stairs in a most hasty manner. Indeed, it might as well have been allowed to burn. The dwelling-house and other buildings were also virtually destroyed. The boilers, brick-work and all, were pulled down, and some of the fire-places were pulled out, and also were some iron window frames.
There were many willing hands, but of course discretion at such a time was not to be looked for. As soon as Mr. Abbott reached the spot, he and his officers gave such directions as prevented wanton destruction. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Abbott, Inspector Pierce, and other constables. Mr. White, who had charge of the engine, is also deserving of the highest commendation. No one could have acted with better discretion, or have worked more laboriously than he did. We should be remiss in our duty if we did not specially mention, as among the many inhabitants of the parish and district who lent ready aid, Mr. Frederick Heath. He really worked with desperation, and acted most courageously.
Great sympathy was expressed for Mr. Hayter and his family, and the houses of several kind neighbours were most readily placed at their disposal. By almost 4.30 the fire was thoroughly got under, but the fire engine was kept there all night. Mr. White and staff and police constables remained in charge. On the following day, under the direction of Mr. Superintendent Abbott, all the partly consumed wood was removed, and the tottering walls were knocked down.
The mill belonged to William Temple, Esq., of Bishopstrow House. It was insured in the Sun office, but only for a sum of £200, which does not represent more than a fourth of its value. Much anxiety was felt on behalf of Mr. Hayter, it being feared that neither the stock in his mill nor his furniture was insured, and as what was not destroyed was rendered almost valueless, the loss to him would have been very serious. We are most happy, however, to be able to announce that Mr. Hayter was insured, both for stock and furniture, for a small amount, sufficient, we hope, to cover his actual loss. Of course he will be a great loser by the fire, as his trade will be brought to a standstill. We trust, however, that neighbouring millers will render him all the assistance in their power.
The origin of the fire is a mystery. The miller stated that when he closed the mill on the Saturday night, he carefully extinguished his candle, and left all quite right. He was quite certain that nothing was then burning. A boy, the son of the miller, went into the mill about 8 o’clock on Sunday morning, to get some food for the fowls. He declared that he did not notice or smell anything burning. Now it seems scarcely conceiveable that the fire could have originated on the Saturday night, and that the boy could have gone into the mill later on Sunday morning and not seen smoke from it. Indeed, the place would by that time have been full of smoke. It is much more probable that the boy, when he went in for the corn to feed the fowls, lighted the candle left by his father and inspected some rat traps he had set about the mill, and, while doing so, dropped a spark from the candle, which led to the conflagration. Be this as it may, there can be not the slightest reason to suppose that the fire was other than the result of a pure accident, and for which no one is to blame.
Had the fire broken out in the night there might have been a loss of life, as there would have been a number of young children sleeping in the house, and the bedroom of Mr. Hayter, who is got very feeble, being situated actually under a portion of the mill. As we before stated, Mr. Hayter and the members of his family met with every attention and much sympathy from Bishopstrow House, and from the neighbours generally.
Elsewhere in the same issue of The Warminster Herald was the following notice:
Mr. HAYTER begs to return his most grateful thanks to the neighbours of Boreham [sic] and Warminster who so very kindly assisted in endeavouring to extinguishing the unfortunate fire which terminated in the total destruction of Boreham [sic] Mill.
[The newspaper staff obviously made a mistake with their printing blocks, transposing Boreham for Bishopstrow. The fire was at Bishopstrow Mill and Bishopstrow neighbours assisted.]
An advertisement in The Warminster Herald And General Weekly Advertiser For Wilts., Somerset And Dorset, issue dated Saturday 13th December 1873, showed at least one other miller was available after the loss of Bishopstrow Mill:
NORTON BAVANT MILL.
HENRY J. BAILEY
BEGS respectfully to inform agriculturalists and the general public that he is prepared to do Gristing work at his mill, such as was done by Mr. W. HAYTER, at the Bishopstrow Mill, before the late destructive fire there. He hopes to be able to meet the convenience of the entire neighbourhood by promptly executing all orders entrusted to him.
A notice in The Warminster Herald, issue dated Saturday 20th December 1873, reveals strong support for the rebuilding of a mill at Bishopstrow, from William Hayter’s neighbours:
THE LATE FIRE AT BISHOPSTROW MILL. – We have great pleasure in giving publicity to the following address, and to Mr. Temple’s acknowledgement of the same. We are sure the public will feel deeply grateful to Mr. Temple for his kindly consideration of their wishes:-
TO WILLIAM TEMPLE, Esq., – We the undersigned, having seen with the greatest regret the complete destruction of Bishopstrow Mill be fire, hereby beg to express our great interest in seeing efforts made by you, as the proprietor, towards rebuilding the same; and in order to strengthen you in the idea, we beg to record the fact that the mill is one which could be least spared in the neighbourhood, as it possesses so many advantages over others which we may well capitulate. In the first place it possesses a most extensive reservoir and a better fall of water than any other on the same stream, consequently can be worked when others remain idle, which, through dry summers, is a most essential boon to other millers as well as to the farmers and tradesmen in the neighbourhood; and we very much fear if it is allowed to remain unbuilt will entail a very considerable inconvenience upon the customers in Gristing; who have so extensively patronised it from almost time immemorial. Under these circumstances, together with many others which might be adduced, we beg respectfully to ask you to rebuild the mill, feeling sure that it will not only prove a remunerative investment for yourself, but at the same time confer a great benefit and privilege upon your tenants and neighbours.
We are, dear Sir,
Your obedient servants.
[Here follows forty-one signatures.] *
Mr. TEMPLE, having received the above address which has been signed by so many of his friends and neighbours, begs to acknowledge in this public manner the receipt of it, and to thank them for their kind interest in his welfare, and to assure them the matter shall have his best and earliest consideration.
* The Warminster Herald did not print the names of the signees.
