Richmond’s grogshops were under attack as the reason for much of the city’s “vast increase of crime and demoralization”. The war put a crimp in the supply of real coffee, and many caffeine-free substitutes had been suggested. To top it all off, 150 years ago yesterday Richmond’s “Confederate Coffee factory” was destroyed by fire. Corn was apparently the chief ingredient in the substitute brew.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 24, 1864:
Destruction by fire of the Confederate Coffee factory.
–About one o’clock yesterday morning the large brick building situated on Baker’s alley, between 17th and 18th, and Main and Cary streets, took fire, and was entirely destroyed. The building, which was a very large one, fronting on Cary street and running back the entire depth to the alley, was occupied by Mr. David Baker, Jr., for the manufacture of what is commonly known as “Confederate Coffee.” One part of it was also used by Mr. B. as a broom factory. In this building was a large amount of corn, from which the compound was principally made, and the machinery which was employed in its grinding and drying was of the most costly and perfect character, all of which was entirely destroyed.
During the progress of the fire a very large steam boiler, in which had been left a supply of water, became red hot, and owing to the pressure of the steam engendered thereby a terrible explosion took place. The force of the explosion was so great that pieces of the boiler were driven through heavy brick walls, and large portions of it were thrown from a hundred to a hundred and fifty yards from the place at which it was stationed. One piece, weighing between three and four hundred pounds, was lodged in the prison yard at Castle Thunder, a square off, and fell within a few inches of one of the guard, the force of which so stunning him as to knock him senseless for a few minutes. A tenement in Hughes’s row, on 17th street, was also struck by a piece of iron and a hole driven entirely through it. We learn that a young man who was within range of the flying atoms at the time of the explosion was struck about his head with a flake of the boiler, injuring him so severely that he has since died. Several other persons are reported hurt, but we have been unable to find out who they are.
Mr. George Johnson, the clerk of the establishment, was asleep at the time the fire broke out, and had barely time to make his escape alive.
Mr. Baker’s loss will not fall far short of $60,000, on which there was no insurance. –The building was owned by Franklin Stearns, Esq., and his loss will probably amount to between $75,000 and $100,000.–Mr. S. had a slight insurance in the Mutual Insurance office on one end of the building; but, in comparison with the loss he will sustain, it is not worth reporting.
The origin of the fire is believed to be accidental, and as it frequently occurs that the furnaces in the drying room are kept heated all night it is more than probable that the floor ignited therefrom.
The Fire Brigade were promptly on the spot, and did valuable service in saving from destruction the surrounding buildings.
Corn is one of the coffee substitutes listed at UT-Tyler. There are many others, including rye, okra, and acorns. And even asparagus.
