Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 184, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1920 — OLD MILL AT PULASKI BURNED [ARTICLE]

OLD MILL AT PULASKI BURNED

The Pulaski mill, one of the oldest end best known landmarks in this pate of the state, waa barnod down about 11 o’clock Monday night It was thoroughly ablaze when discovered, and there was nothing to do but let the big frame structure 'burn, the people giving their attention to adjacent build?earing that the blaze might get beyond control the citizens of Pulaski sent a call for the Winamac fire truck, which made . the seven mile run and reached the scene in about twenty minutes after the alarm was given. ’ It is generally agreed that the mill was set on fire—perhaps accidentally, but more likely intentionally. No definite reason is assigned as to why anyone should have started the fire out the belief prevails that somebody did it for some reason. ' The budding had not been used for several years. It was owned by the Continental Utilities Company, successor to McCaskey & Co., of Lansing, Mich., who bought the mill and dam right - several years ago with the intention of developing the water power for electrical purposes. The company was at that time installing the electric systems at Medaryville, Francesville and Monon. Cnrrent for these towns in now furnished from Monticello and the pr<> posed development of the Pulaski right never took place. Nearly all of the machinery had been removed from the mill, and it long stood vacant, used only as a loafing place, and in campaign years as a registration and voting place. The old mill was built in the year 1855—sixty-five years ago.. Late in the fall of 1853, and early the following spring, a d&n built across the river and a small min erected. The necessary lumber for a grist mill was then gotten out, and the contract for the work given to James Graham, who was assisted by J. H. Gillespie. Massive timbers were used for the frame, which was 40x60 feet in size, three and onehalf stories high. Thousands of feet of fine walnut and poplar boards were also used. The original expense of the building, dam and race was about $14,000.—Monticello Journal.