THE WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

August/September 1884

 

ANOTHER FIRE.

 

 

            About one o’clock on Monday evening, fire was discovered in the saloon building opposite Dr. Calkins’ drug store, by one of the Dr.’s daughters and she aroused Alf Poll who was sleeping in an adjoining room.  He pulled on his pants and ran to the engine room barefooted and rang the bell which called out the firemen and many citizens.  In ten minutes after the fire started the fire ladies had the stream playing on the fire, the sheds and buildings adjoining the burning pile to keep the fire from spreading to Hansen Bro’s grocery and the barns and store houses between the fire and Poll’s livery stable.  It was one of the oldest buildings in town and dry as cinder.  In the upper story was stored a large quantity of Henry Mumbrue’s household goods, including carpets, and a good library, also papers of importance.  These were all burned, but in a room below filled with furniture, the better part was taken out before the fire communicated through from the saloon room.  Mr. P. Keffner owned a small building on the west side of the saloon which he used for a shop before removing to Stevens Point.  This little building went up in smoke, too quick.  Chief of fire department Hudson was on the roof of Hansen Bros. store, directing the pipemen and ax-men what to do, and although it was awful hot up there and the tin roof was melting under them they all held their ground until the fire was under control.  The roof caught fire several times.  It is only a few weeks ago this same building had to be re-roofed owing to a bad fire, and now will have to have another overhauling from the effects of this last warm call.  The losses and insurance is as follows:

            Geo. Hansen, damage to brick and stone building $300; insured in Phoenix of Hartford, W. Scott agent, Hansen Bros., damage to grocery stock, pool tables etc., $200; insured in Northern of Aberdeen, E. Selleck agent.  Store building, Geo. Hansen owner, occupied by Pete Peterson, saloon, and store rooms for Mumbrue’s household goods.  Insured in Phoenix of Hartford.  Loss total; insured for $800.  H. C. Mumbrue; loss on household goods, library, etc. $1,000; insured for $500 in the Western of Toronto, I. P. Lord agent.  Peter Petersen; loss on saloon stock and fixtures $500; insured for $400, in the Western of Toronto.  Keffner’s building; loss on same total.  Insured in Phoenix of Brooklyn for $100, E. Selleck agent.