Driffield and East Riding Pure Linseed Cake Co
1862 'The foundation-stone of the mill and premises of the Driffield and East-Riding Pure Linseed Cake Company, limited, was laid with the usual ceremony, on Friday last, Thomas Hopper, Esq., of Kelleythorpe, the chairman of the company, in the presence of the directors, the contractors, and numerous lookers on. After having placed the stone in its proper position, Mr. Hopper said he had a few observations to make which might not be out of place on the present occasion. The company had been originated in a wish amongst the farmers in the district to have a pure and good article....[1]
1887 Fire. 'The extensive oil and paint establishment of Messrs. Blacklock and McArthur, at Glasgow, was burned down last week. The damage is about £12,000. The oil tanks burst with aloud report, but no one was injured.— The extensive mills of the Driffield and East Hiding Pure Linseed Cake Company (Limited), Driffield, were destroyed by fire on Monday morning. The mills, which were four storeys high, covered large area and occupied whole block, having streets on three sides and the railway on the other. The fire broke out in the south mills, and spread with marvellous rapidity through cross mill to the mill on the north side, where, in the top floors, were stored many thousands quarters of linseed, and below many hundreds of tons of manufactured cake. Huge tanks oil were continually falling from aloft, and bursting caused the work of destruction to proceed with irresistable fury, while the blazing linseed poured out of the windows. The three mills were filled with the most modern and valuable machinery, which was all destroyed, the mills being completely gutted, but the two engine houses were saved.'[2]