Tales of Glen Tay — The Mill Fire

 

 

The mill that sits on the edge of Glen Tay on private property was destroyed in fire in 1870 after work had begun for the day. The disaster that occurred at 9 am left the place in ruins and was caused but the friction of the picking machine which set the adjoining woodwork on fire.

The mill was very combustible from fine dust and with no means of extinguishing the fire it went out of control very quickly. When the fire began near the doorway the workers which were mainly women were trapped. They had to climb out of the third story windows with the use of a ladder while the fire nipped at their heels.

Mr. Drysdale tried to escape by the roof, but he either slipped or decided to jump and landed in the water below. The depth of the water was barely 5 feet deep. Drysdale did not die, but sustained serious internal injuries. The fire at the mill, as you might guess, became a huge loss to the area, but the owners rebuilt the mill in the Spring.

Photo by Jason Sprague from Rough & Rustic who will be at the Swirlicious Shopping Event October 29 in Carleton Place.

 

Buy Linda Secaspina’s Books— Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac– Tilting the Kilt-Vintage Whispers of Carleton Place and 4 others on Amazon or Amazon Canada or Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street in Carleton Place