Notes for: William Vialls
Cambridge Independent Press 19 Feb 1892
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT GREAT SHELFORD
WORKPEOPLE THROWN OUT OF EMPLOYMENT
On Friday evening, about eight o’clock, the quiet little village of Great Shelford was thrown into a state of great excitement, which continued to prevail with unabated interest for some five or six hours. About half-past seven a gentleman named Turner, while passing the rope factory belonging to Messrs. W. Gall and Son, noticed that a part of the building was on fire. With all haste he ran to the office, a nice comfortable back erection, standing some yards from the remainder of the premises, and, knocking at the door, informed Mr. W. Gall, who happened to be at work there, of the catastrophe. They then both rushed out, and while Mr. Turner went to the top floor to
GIVE THE ALARM
to some men who were at work there, Mr. Gall, finding that the report was only too true, thought of the best method to prevent the fire spreading more than was absolutely necessary. . . .
Although Mr. Gall is insured in the West of England Company, it is feared, we hope without grounds that the amount lost, which is between £2,000 and £3,000, will not be realized, as the stock in hand, as far as can be estimated roughly, was exceptionally large. P.c. Cater, of Great Shelford, was on the spot with praiseworthy promptitude, and was joined later on by Sergeant Quincey, of Cambridge, and P.c. Vialls, of Trumpington.