Thomas Jackson Signature

Passionate Abolitionist and
Witness to the American Civil War

THE ENTIRE COLLECTION


Report of the Second Major Fire May 21, 1876

A Second Major Fire at the Jackson Rope Walk

 

This photo taken from the private historic records of the Reading Fire Department reveals yet another arson attack on Thomas Jackson’s property.
Here it also spread to 5 neighboring dwellings. The financial loss to Thomas Jackson this time was quoted ar $14,500 in 1876 or about $347,000 in 2020 money. On this occasion, Thomas Jackson wrote in the Reading Times that he would pay $1000 in  to bring to justice those responsible.
After the devastating 1873 fire, Thomas Jackson had totally rebuilt his factory with almost no wood but with brick floors, slate roof and iron doors and window shutters.  These precautionary features must also have contributing to reducing the impact of this third.
Unlike the previous fire, on this occasion there is no criticism that competing fire departments simply quarreled and failed to focus on efforts to put out the fire.