1878 - Large Fire At Webster, Mass.

BOSTON, Feb. 12 - A fire broke out, this morning, in the calendering department of Samuel Slater & Sons' cambric works, at Webster, Mass., and entirely consumed the old original mill, erected in 1812, and part of a story in the new wing. The engine building and cloth storehouse were saved, but their contents were badly damaged. There were from 8,000 to 10,000 pieces of cloth in the mill, which are a total loss; also a large quantity of cloth in an adjoining storehouse was badly damaged in removal. The loss is estimated at $100,000 and upward. A list of insurance is unattainable at present. Some 125 operatives are thrown out of employment, and it will probably be several montsh before the works are again in operation.