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Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

A sketch of the Union Brewery in Warsaw, before fire destroyed the factory.

A sketch of the Union Brewery in Warsaw, before fire destroyed the factory.

Traveling along Water Street in Warsaw, little evidence remains of a more prosperous and successful era in Warsaw’s past, when the Mississippi River was the chief artery of transportation and shipping in Warsaw was booming. With an excellent location Warsaw, became a river port of some importance.

Around a half mile south of the intersection of Main and Water streets, there remain several stone arched chambers and a retaining wall on the east side of the roadway.

These caves were once used for cooling beer which was brewed at the Schott Brothers Union Brewery which was located in front of the caves. The brewery, which was started in 1857, ran parallel to Water Street for around 80 feet and operated successfully for several years. Closing after the death of John Schott in 1877, the buildings were eventually put up for sale and were purchased by G. V. Stevens who operated a juice factory the premises. On a chilly January night this all changed as a roaring blaze sent the Warsaw Fire Department scrambling and gave the citizens of Alexandria a spectacular show from the Missouri waterfront.

The Jan. 15, 1897, edition of the Warsaw Bulletin still crackled with excitement in describing the event as follows:

An alarm of fire about 8:30 p.m. Monday evening called out the Warsaw Fire Dept. along with hundreds of people and the scene of the disaster was readily located, as the flames that lit up the heavens indicated the property in peril was the juice and jelly factory of G. V. Stevens and Co. The fire had made such headway before discovery that all hope of saving the factory was abandoned and every effort was directed to the protection of the residence a short distance to the north of, and connected with, the factory by the boiler room. When the pumper, chemical apparatus and hook and ladder wagon reached the scene more than half a mile distant, flames were bursting from the roof and every window. The chemical was soon exhausted and it was found that it could be of no service at this stage of the fire. Then section after section of hose burst, and 15 minutes were consumed in getting another hose reel from the engine house, located in the 300 block of Main Street. By this time it looked as if the residence was doomed; but as soon as the new hose was laid, and a stream was directed at the building, the fire was gotten under control. The origin of the fire was unknown. During the day workers at the factory had been through and everything was all right. About 8 o’clock John Kleinert and John Muir, while on the levee at Alexandria, noticed what they thought were lights flickering in the windows of the buildings, and there were so many of them and they were so bright that it attracted their attention.

A little later they saw the lights develop into flames and then borrowing a boat, they with three companions, started to cross the river. But before they reached the shore, H. M. Sheppard who lived on what was then called Fort Johnson, now Mulberry Street, had discovered dense smoke around his residence, and arousing neighbor George Redeforth went to investigate. As they reached the bluff overlooking the factory, the flames burst from the southeast corner of the roof. They hurried down the hill and found the Stevens family in their residence oblivious to their danger.

After alarming them, Sheppard ran to the railroad office at Main and Water streets and telephoned the Fire Dept.

In the course of an hour after the discovery, the old brewery was but smoldering ruins. The only thing left standing were the doors of the cellars or caves which extend some distance under the bluff,

The buildings were constructed in 1857 by John and George Schott and by them designed and occupied as a brewery. They did a thriving business until the passing of John Schott in 1878. The buildings were then sold to G.V. Stevens who utilized this plant as a fruit juice and jelly factory.

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Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.

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