Payette County ID Archives News.....Big Ice House Goes Up In Flames May 6, 1904
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Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com February 13, 2006, 1:49 am

Payette Independent May 6, 1904
Payette Independent
Payette, Idaho
Friday, May 6, 1904

BIG ICE HOUSE GOES UP IN FLAMES

ARMOUR’S PLANT IN WASHOE DESTROYED BY FIRE, ENTAILING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LOSS.

Spark From Passing Engine Does the Mischief—About 1800 Tons of Ice Left Exposed 
to Mercy of the Elements—Company Will Build New Plant of Double Capacity of Old 
one and Fruit Men’s Interests Will be Protected.

The big ice house of Armour & Company in Washoe, two miles south of Payette, 
was totally destroyed by fire Thursday night of last week, caused by a spark 
from the engine of the belated passenger train, No. 11, shortly after 9 
o’clock.  The fire was not discovered until it was under such headway that 
nothing could be done with the meager means at hand to check it and the 
building was soon in ashes.  It contained 2400 tons of ice, only about 25 per 
cent of which was melted by the heat, the remainder being left exposed to the 
weather where it is now at the disposal of whoever can make use of it as the 
company has decided to make no effort to save it.  The estimated value of the 
plant was $12,500, of which $4,000 was covered by insurance.  

Immediately after the fire the local manager, H. B. Orcutt, notified the 
Portland manager of the loss and asked for instructions.  He was informed that 
it would be unfeasible to attempt to save the ice that was left but was 
instructed to at once make figures on a new plant, to be double the capacity of 
the one burned and to cost in the neighborhood of $20,000.  It is to be 
completed in time for next seasons ice crop.  The site will probably be on the 
north side of the mill pond, about 100 feet east of the main line, instead of 
the old site, which is much nearer, thus obviating the danger from sparks from 
passing engines.  

Mr. Orcutt was also informed that the company would to the best of its ability 
look out for the interests of the fruit men of this section, who have depended 
on the ice house for icing cars and at times when markets were slow, for cold 
storage purposes, and who have anticipated serious inconvenience by reason of 
the burning of the plant.  It is thought that the cars for this section will be 
iced at North Platte coming west for fruit next season and re-iced at Pocatello 
going east.  

Since it was ascertained that Armour & Company would not attempt to save the 
ice left from the fire, several Payette firms and individuals have availed 
themselves of the opportunity to again fill their ice houses to the brim after 
the natural shrinkage since the time of harvesting last winter’s crop.  


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