BLAME THE SIGN?

Closer inspection of the photos show a tower of a cigar factory with a building and a sign "La Trocha" blocking the view of the factory so that only the factory's upper stories and clock tower are visible above it.  Below, the caption comes from the Pizzo collection of photos at UF.

EVIDENCE

The 1903 map below is oriented with north to the left.  The above fire photos are said to be taken from 17th St. and 12th Avenue looking north.  That area is marked with a red rectangle below.  The red dashed line is the approximate centerline of the photo and the pink shading is the approximate angle of view.  In 1903 there were several vacant properties and some properties with dwellings in the area.  At some time between the making of the 1903 map and the March 1, 1908 fire, there were many new structures built, probably where the green rectangles are shown, judging by the foreground buildings in the photos. 

Notice that across the street at extreme right of the first photo (wide view) can be seen what appears to be a park or plaza.  The St. Joseph's convent property would have been situated there.  The "La Trocha" sign in the photos would have been situated where seen below in green and would have been built between 1903 and the fire in 1908.

The factory in view is actually the Stachelberg cigar factory.

THE ELMORE WEBB STEAM POWERED PUMP FIRE TRUCK

This photo is from the Burgert Bros. collection at the Hillsborough County Public Library System, but the Burgert catalog describes it as  La France horse drawn steam piston pumper, named Elmer [sic] Webb, assigned to Station 4 of the Tampa Fire Department.  But articles from the time it was purchased, tested, and went into service show it was a Nott engine, not a La France, and it was first assigned to Station No. 1.

 Click the article on the left to see the full test results. 

 Click the article at left to read it in its entirety.

In late Dec. 1905, it was decided that THREE horses would pull the Elmore Webb, as two were found to be inadequate.
 

Below: TFD took delivery of a custom-built truck designed by Chief Tucker Savage.  It was for use at the Hyde Park station.

AT RIGHT:  The Nott Co. steam pumper "Major Wright" in front of Station No. 1 circa 1908-1911. 

Photo courtesy of Capt. Bill Townsend's "Tampa's Bravest" website.

Notice three horses were needed to pull this truck, being even heavier and larger than the "Elmore Webb."

MAN SENT INTO THE BURNING FACTORY TO RESCUE BOOKS

A cigar maker, Arthur Brooks, at the Stachelberg factory was sent back into the burning building to retrieve "certain books which the management greatly desired."  On his way back out, he was blocked by a "solid sheet of flame."  As he was looking for a way of escape, he heard a man calling for someone to save him.  Brooks called back that he himself could not find a way out and then jumped out a window from the 2nd story.  Brooks was seriously injured, and immediately afterward the factory walls collapsed.  It was thought that the man calling for help was burned to death but a through search afterward resulted in no one reported missing.

MAYOR FRECKER TO FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE WATERWORKS CO.

Mayor Frecker agreed with the fire department, stating that the water pressure was below what was needed and below what was supposed to be supplied by the waterworks company.  The superintendent of the waterworks disagreed, stating that no waterworks system could have supplied sufficient water pressure when the demand reached as high as it did at this fire, and that everything possible was done to provide as much water and physically possible to Ybor City.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

The people of Tampa, its clubs, and organizations all rose to the occasion to help the victims of the fire.  Not all victims were people who lived in Ybor City who lost their homes, many were factory workers, restaurant workers, and employees of the many business who lost their jobs because of the fire's destruction, but lived outside of Ybor City.
 

JUDGE AND WIFE SKIP TRIP TO HAVANA

Judge Evans and his wife decided to skip their trip to Havana and donate the funds they would have spent to the fire sufferers.  Businesses were donating a percentage of proceeds, Hillsborough County donated $500 to the relief fund, matching that of the City of Tampa's donation.  The first of the fire victims received $3 worth of groceries based on the size of his family.  All these may not seem like much to us, but $500, 5 cents, and $3 in 1908 is like $14,143, $1.41, and $85 today in 2021.  The relief fund wasn't just for those who lost property in the fire, it was also for those who had lost employment due to the fire.  The Mar. 4 article say 250 people had received enough food to last them a week.

CHANGE OF PROPOSED STACHELBERG FACTORY SITE

On Mar. 25 the Tribune reported that Stachelberg had decided not to build in the Drew subdivision on E. Lafayette St. and to build instead in the "Garrison" near the "Old Mound" on south Morgan St.  The Garrison was what the old Fort Brooke land was referred to in these days.  It was a separate municipality from Tampa, and consisted of the lands south of Whiting St.  The "Old Mound" was a referenced to the Indian mound in the southeast portion of the Garrison.  "We will get the factory, and you can safely say that it will be located in the Garrison" was what one of the committee members told the Tribune.  The committee consisted of land owners in the Garrison who were courting the Stachelberg Co to build in their district.

It's a pretty big deal when you can get a leading NY cigar manufacturer who is one of the biggest in the country to locate in your district.  And why wouldn't they, with free land as part of the deal?

FACTORY IS A SURE DEAL

On Apr. 15, 1902, the Tribune announced that the deal was made, the contract signed, and a general description of the building was provided:  50 ft. x 140 ft., three stories, brick.  The payroll must amount to $200k per year and in return, the committee would raise $13,500 toward the cost of the new building.  "The committee is now securing donations to the building fund.  Any amount over $5 would be accepted."  Apparently Stachelberg no longer required the sale of $10,000 of their stock and opted for funds to build the factory. ($13,500 in 1908 would be like $381,858 today in 2021.)

WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT SURE DEAL?

A month and a half passed with no more news  about that definite Stachelberg factory in the Garrison at the foot of Morgan St.  Instead, this somewhat low-key, positive-spin article is evidence that something didn't go as planned.  Maybe the committee failed to raise the $13,500 towards the cost of the building.  It appears that the free land wasn't enough enticement for Stachelberg.  Or maybe Stachelberg got an even better deal; an already-built, beautiful 3-story brick building with a 4-story tower and clock?

STACHELBERG ALREADY HAS HIS FACTORY

Edgar Stachelberg was headed back to Tampa from NYC and will oversee "the removal of the firm's business [from New York]...into new quarters in the commodious and finely appointed factory building which he recently purchased..."

WHERE WAS THIS FACTORY?

  .

By spring of 1903, their factory at 17th Street and 14th Avenue in  Ybor City was running full force.

WHAT COMPANY PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED THE YBOR CITY  STACHELBERG FACTORY AND WHEN WAS IT BUILT?

The 1899 Sanborn map of Ybor City shows the factory was previously occupied by BLAS TRUJILLO & CO.  Here is seen the same 3-story brick factory with a 4-story tower centered on the front entrance.

It appears that at some time between April 15, 1902 and March 25, 1903, Trujillo's factory was sold to Stachelberg.  (Unless there was intermediate ownership. No article has been located to verify this.)

WHY DID TRUJILLO SELL TO STACHELBERG?

Perhaps this event in Aug. of 1900 had something to do with the transfer.  notice the mention of "the great clock."  But was this the former courthouse clock?

AT LEFT:  All of Tampa was shocked upon hearing of the suicide of Blas Trujillo.  This article paints a rosy picture of his personal and business life, but a follow-up article would reveal what was really going on.

This article has been edited to show only the beginning and the history of the company and building in Tampa.  There was  detail of the events of that day.

Click the article above to read it in its entirety.  CAUTION:  It is graphic.     Newspapers of this era were quite blunt and did not try to soften the impact of events such as this.   When it opens, click it again to see it full size. 

Two days later, Blas Trujillo's funeral took place and still the Tribune believed that the "affairs of the factory were in good shape, and the usual causes which lead men to the rash act of self-destruction were entirely wanting in this case."

Nine days after Trujillo's funeral, the Tribune reported that public gossip was rife with rumors about Trujillo's motive.  Things were not as rosy as first thought.  Within two weeks of each other, Trujillo's top clients went into bankruptcy, with losses from these bad accounts totaling $75,000.  Three weeks before his suicide, one of Trujillo's top salesmen committed suicide the same way.  It was said he felt personally responsible for the many bad accounts he had contracted with, and this too weighed heavily on Trujillo's mind.  Also, business had actually been slow for quite some time; the number of employees on the payroll had been constantly decreasing and at the time of Trujillo's death the payroll amounted to only $500.

The big factory closed, and those who still worked there were now idle.  The situation was in limbo until the NY partners of the firm arrived in Tampa.  It was thought that Francisco Garcia was expressing interest in the company, but in the end, it was Stachelberg who moved in.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRUJILLO & BENEMELIS FACTORY AND TAMPA'S FORMER TOWN CLOCK

According to the first article that reported Trujillo's death, he came to Tampa in 1894.  The 1895 Sanborn map is the earliest to cover the area of this factory in detail.  It shows that the factory was named "Trujillo & Benemelis."

ARTICLE BELOW: 
On Jun 6, 1895, the Tribune published an article on the success of the Trujillo & Benemelis factory.  It gave a brief history of the owners before coming to Tampa; both men were born in Cuba.  In 1892 they formed a partnership in New York.  In 1894 the Ybor City Land & Improvement Co. enticed them to come to Tampa.  Their first offer was to build a wood frame building for them, but Trujillo and Benemelis were willing to pay one-third the cost if it was made of brick, and so it was built of brick.

REFERENCE TO THE "OLD TOWN CLOCK"
The building was completed in Feb. 1894 at a cost of $15,000 (or $1.5000 as the Tribune put it.)  "It occupies an enviable position on summit of a level tract of land in the northeastern portion of Ybor City, and in its tower the old town clock which kept time for this city many years  is placed to keep time.."

WHERE WAS TAMPA'S TOWN CLOCK BEFORE IT WAS INSTALLED IN THE B&T CIGAR FACTORY  IN 1894?

The only clock prior to 1915 that was ever referred to as the "town clock" was the one on the old county courthouse built by John Breaker.  That structure was built in 1854, but a detailed description of the new building did not mention a clock, which suggests it was not built with a clock. 

More about Tampa's 1854 & 1891 courthouses    Also here for the 1891 courthouse

FOUR-FACED CLOCK ADDED IN 1882
	In June of 1882 the old Breaker Courthouse underwent some much needed repairs which included tearing down the old plaster and installing a ceiling in the Town Hall meeting room.  This Jun. 29, 1882 article says "Now putting up the Town Clock in the belfry is the next job, besides the painting."	In Sep. 1887 the town clock striking mechanism was out of order.

WHERE WAS THE TOWN CLOCK PURCHASED FROM?

In 1881 dentist and jeweler E. Neve ended his partnership with Dr. H. P. Jensen and sold his entire interest in the drug business to S. B. Leonardy.  Neve continued as a jeweler and dentist.

CLOCK ORDERED
In January 1882 E. Neve ordered the town clock from Seth Thomas of New York; it was built in Thomaston, CT.  On page 19 of the Seth Thomas tower clock installations catalog for Florida can be seen that the clock installed in the new City hall in 1915 ("Hortense") was the same model as the one that had been installed in the courthouse in 1882.  The only difference was the clock faces and dials, and probably the bell.

BREAKER COURTHOUSE SOLD
In preparation for a new brick courthouse, the old courthouse was sold to J. J. Kinsman and moved north on Fla. Ave. across from the Palmetto Hotel in 1891. The property was owned by Kinsman who was a blacksmith and wagon maker.  His shop and home were on the property so he first had his home moved to another location. 

THE BREAKER COURTHOUSE'S SECOND LIFE The old courthouse building was used as the Magnolia House apartments in 1895. By 1899 it became the Avenue Hotel owned by M.J. Morales and caught on fire on Dec. 4.  The fire started at the cottage next to it and spread to the roof of the hotel.   Chief A. J. Harris and five firemen worked six hoses and doused the fire in a heroic effort.  All twenty guests escaped unharmed but the top floor was gutted and the first floor drenched.  The article describes the building as three stories but they are counting the space under the roof--the attic.  The Sanborn maps show "2 ½" stories which is how attic space was indicated.  Evidently the building was repaired because in 1903 it appears on the Sanborn maps as the Tampa Sanitarium (a hospital.)         The old courthouse clock became the Trujillo & Benemelis cigar factory clock by 1894, and later the Stachelberg clock in the same building.  Seth Thomas offered some options for the clock faces, and judging from photos of the courthouse clock and the Stachelberg clock, it appears that Trujillo & Benemelis or Stachelberg opted to get fancier faces for it.  Ultimately, the clock was destroyed in the great Ybor City fire of 1908. READ ABOUT ANOTHER CLOCK JUST LIKE THIS ONE, ONLY MUCH MORE FAMOUS:  HORTENSE!

 

WHO WAS E. NEVE? Edvard Dinus Neve was born on Aug. 7, 1849 in Denmark, and was a son of Abraham Eberhardt Neve.   In August of 1871 he left from Copenhagen and sailed to America, settling in Tampa in that same year.  Upon arriving in Tampa, Neve engaged in the jewelry business for a time, being an expert watchmaker, a trade he had learned as a boy in Denmark.  However, he became interested in dentistry and took up the study of it, making great strides in that field.  Dr. Neve was the recipient of a prize medal for the unusual excellence  of certain operations he performed at a convention of dentists of national reputation.

Dr. Edward D. Neve and wife Alicia M. Gonzalez Neve 1920 Passport application photos.

It was by this work he was best known in Tampa, and while he was engaged in it he enjoyed a very large and lucrative practice. In 1895 he married Alicia Gonzalez;** she was born on Oct. 9, 1869 at Philadelphia, a daughter of Havana, Cuba native Prof. Guillermo P. Gonzalez, a public school teacher.  (In May 1895, Mrs. Neve was given the honor of naming a new 480-acre suburb being developed in Tampa northeast of Ybor City.  "After a search of Spanish lexicons she selected "Campobella" meaning "beautiful country.") Later, after retiring from dentistry, he invested in citrus lands as well as city property and owned several large groves in the area, one of the finest being just beyond Myrtle Hill Cemetery. Dr. Neve and his wife applied for passports in early June of 1920 to travel to Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, France, Spain and England, to leave from the Port of New York in May or June of 1921 on a vacation for six months.  At the time, they lived in Tampa at 1103 Tampa Street. But in July, 1920, he and his wife decided to visit relatives in Denmark, and while preparing to depart from New York City, Dr. Neve had a severe attack of appendicitis on July 11 and died following an operation at St. Vincent's hospital.  He was about 70 years old.  Alicia died in Tampa in 1952. **His obituary says he and his wife left Copenhagen in 1871, but all evidence so far indicates he was not married at the time.  He married in 1895 according to his and Alicia's censuses and passport applications.  Also, their 1910 census indicates this was the first marriage for both of them. The above is information from Edward's obituary in the Tampa Tribune on July 17, 1920, combined with information from a May 21, 1895 Tribune article, his and his wife's passport applications and 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 censuses.