Milltown Historical Society

Tag: Philadelphia and Boston Face Brick Company

This Day in History: February 18th, 1911

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This Day in History: February 18th, 1911

FIRE ROUTS HUNGARIAN BOARDERS
Old Vunk Homestead Burns While Occupants Look on Helplessly – Lack of Water Handicapped Those Who Went to Help.

MILLTOWN, Feb. 28 – The boarding house owned by the Philadelphia & Boston Fire Brick Company, and which was formerly the old Vunk homestead, burned to the ground last evening. At seven o’clock, a number of local people noticed the flames and, thinking that the fire was very near the outskirts of the borough and that the local fire company would be called into action as a bucket brigade, made for the scene.

It seems that the house was situated a quarter of a mile from the trolley, and its avenues of approach consisted of roads containing a bottomless mire. As a result, the twenty-five citizens found the greatest trouble in getting to the place, and it was soon found that the fire, instead of being near the outskirts of the town, was halfway to South River.

The fire by that time was burning briskly and, as there was no water available, nothing could be done but to protect the nearby barn.

The house was occupied by a dozen Hungarian men, or more, one woman, and four boys, all of whom escaped uninjured. One of the inmates claimed that the fire had started on the north side of the building in the second story and was not discovered until it had gained great headway. No furniture was saved.

Nothing was seen of the local fire department as an organized body. There were two or three members on the scene, among whom were Clifford Waddington, treasurer, and W.E. Becker. The fire was discovered to be too far out of town and too far away from water to call out the members.

It is understood that the Brick Company has the building fully covered by insurance.

Charles Taggart, the entertainer from Vermont, will make his first appearance in the borough tomorrow evening at Redmen Hall. He will give an excellent program under the auspices of the Ushers Association of the M.F. Church. The admission will be 25 cents for adults and 15 cents for children.

The Milltown Building and Loan Association is nearing its first birthday. Read the notice below.

FOR RENT – Four rooms, corner of Lincoln Avenue and Main Street, Milltown. Inquire Mrs. John Geer, Milltown, N.J., f18-1m

FOR RENT – Four rooms, steam heat, and water. Inquire John Christ, Kuhlthau Avenue, Milltown, N.J. 124-3t

The Daily Home News – February 28, 1911Download

This Day in History: December 7th, 1911

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This Day in History: December 7th, 1911

BUILDERS ARE STILL BUSY

About 25 Houses Have Gone Up in the Borough Since January-Chicken Thefts Lead to a Spree.

MILLTOWN, Dec. 7-The Philadelphia and Boston Face Brick Company, located on the east side of Milltown has closed down for the winter. They have been working for about a year and have done very well. They have four kilns and make of glazed tiling for mantlepieces, and all kinds of ornamental work. They were unfortunate lately in losing two kilns of brick, meaning a loss of about $10,000, that were not successfully baked, and which will necessitate some little changes in the plant.

Building Boom.

Milltown continues to boom in the building line. One may count about 25 houses built since January. Besides this much changing and repairing and painting has gone on. The carpentry work has been nearly all done by our local contractors, Robert Harkins and Adam Christ, with very able helpers These men are well known as good builders and they have been busy all summer.

Miss Edith Kohlhepp completed her business college course at Coleman’s, Newark, last week.

Paul Matske left Milltown for Detroit yesterday, where he will be employed in the branch office of the Michelin Tire Company. His wife and two little children will remain here for the present.

Fired at Chicken Thieves.

Sam Masillo saw two chicken thieves robbing John Peru’s hennery one night about a week ago, He fired off his gun and they disappeared, making some chickens with them. Peru did not show gratitude to Masillo, who lives in the other half of the double house, for not allowing the thieves to “clean the coop,” but got hilarious with drink, as he had often done before at all hours of the morning. Marshal Rupprecht brought Pedu to Recorder Headley, who charged him costs and threatened jail if he did not keep the peace. From the long, extended article in Tuesday’s paper concerning New Brunswick’s need of pure water and the unhygienic conditions existing in Milltown, one would be led to think New Brunswick drank only water, put their “brass buttons” don’t say so. The small number on the sick list in Milltown and the number that reach 70, 80 and even 90 years of age indicate that Milltown is not such a bad place to live in after all.

The-Daily-Home-News-Thurs-Dec-7.-1911-Pg-8Download