Article taken from The Columbus Dispatch, November 4, 1895
Special to the Dispatch, Portsmouth, O., Nov. 4
The plant of the Star Brick company, at Sciotoville, was burned to the ground Saturday night. The dry house, 80 x 80 feet, another building 50 x 100, the 40 x 49 engine room, a full set of machinery, 20,000 paving brick in process of manufacture, several sheds and 60 brick cars were destroyed.
The manager, R. A. Mitchell, states that the first cost of the property destroyed exceeded $35,000, and estimates the present value at $22,000, with no insurance owing to advance in rates by the insurance companies.
The fire originated in the woodwork near a boiler. The plant will be rebuilt at once.