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News and Observer - November 7, 1915
FIRE SECOND IN PAPER'S HISTORY
Other Occasion When News and Observer Was Burned Down Was Apr. 24, '13
This is the second time that The News and Observer has been burned down. The other occasion was on April 24, 1913. The fire then started at 6 o'clock in the afternoon when a great crowd of people were on the streets returning from the Carolina League baseball opener. It was nine o'clock before the flames were subdued.
Then as on yesterday Mr. John A Park, publisher of the Raleigh Times, promptly placed his plant at the disposal of The News and Observer and the tender was gratefully accepted. The paper appeared without missing an issue, though in somewhat reduced form.
On the night of that fire Secretary Daniels, the president of the company publishing The News and Observer, was attending an Associated Press banquet in New York. He had left Washington when the building caught on fire and the news of the conflagration was no made known to him until he had reached the banquet hall. He at once prepared to leave for Raleigh and reached the city the following day.
As soon as the insurance losses were adjusted, the work of rebuilding the plant was begun and on May 18, less than a month after the fire, the paper was being published from its own press room again. At this time the building was far from complete, but the work was pushed with all haste and one by one the several departments were gathered together again under the same roof, until early in October the paper was once more all together, intact, in its own building. A little later in the month the re-occupation of the building was celebrated with addresses of congratulations by the Governor and other distinguished citizens, the occasion being one that was memorable in the history of The News and Observer.
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News and Observer - November 11, 1915
SECRETARY DANIELS BACK IN CAPITAL
By H. E. C. BRYANT
Washington, Nov 10 - Secretary Josephus Daniels returned from Raleigh today to find many letters that had come during his absence from friends here and elsewhere expressing deep regret at the heavy loss occasioned by the News and Observer office. All the naval bureau chiefs and other officials and newspaper associates called to express sympathy.
"It is impossible yet," said Secretary Daniels, "to give the full extent of the loss, not counting the loss in files and papers and those personal accumulations of highly prized articles an editor preserves in a series of years. Our total insurance was $44,000. I do not know what it will cost to replace building and plant, but my associations in Raleigh think it will be something like $80,000. I will return to Raleigh Saturday or Sunday."
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News and Observer - November 11, 1915
TO MAKE PROVISION FOR FIRE SUFFERERS
To make provision for the sufferers in the recent fire which destroyed the printing plan of E. M. Uzzell & Company, the Raleigh lodge of the Modern Woodmen of the World last night began a movement for a relief fund. With the raising of $16.25 among the members present at the meeting and the appointment of a committee to secure subscriptions, the organization expects to be able to render assistance to any married man with a family and any girl thrown out of employment by the fire.
The committee is composed of Rev. Sidney Love, chairman; Charles E. Shepherd and John H. Hutchins, both printers.
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News and Observer - November 15, 1915
SYMPATHY TOKENS STILL COMING IN
More Letters From News and Observer's Great Hose of Friends
With more room this morning at its command by reason of the arrival of paper the News and Observer is able to print more of the many messages of sympathy and tenders of assistance in the great misfortune that has overtaken it in the loss by fire for the second time of its building and plant.
[ Letters are printed from locations including Asheville, Chapel Hill, Mebane, Morganton, Whitsett; Staunton and Norfolk, VA; Baltimore, MD; Yonkers, NY.]
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News and Observer - November 15, 1915
CONTENTS IN SAFE SLIGHTLY SMOKED
Mr. E. M. Uzzell yesterday afternoon opened the big safe which went through the fire that destroyed his printing plant, and found its contents intact and only slightly smoked. The doors of the safe were easier to open than anticipated and it required but a few minutes to work to get inside.
Although parts of the safe were almost white from the effect of the heat, Mr. Uzzell found everything in a well preserved state. Even cigars were in good condition. All papers were smoked, but not enough to prevent them from being readable. In the safe was a valuable Bible belonging to Mr. W. J. Andrews. This Bible had been taken to the plant to be rebound. It was printed in 1627 and was valued very highly by Mr. Andrew. That it had been preserved was the most interested news to Mr. Andrews yesterday.
The contents of the safe were removed yesterday by Mr. Uzzell to his temporary office in the Capital Club building.
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