THE REPUBLICAN

March 6, 1896

 

ANOTHER BIG FIRE.

 

Exchange Bank, and Stoner’s Harness Shop in Jensen’s Block.

Fred Petersen’s Building with Saloon and Household Goods of P. Peterson.

 

            Saturday morning about half past twelve o’clock fire was discovered in the saloon building owned by Fred Peterson, it having caught in a bedroom on the second floor either from a lamp explosion or from some other unknown cause, while Mr. and Mrs. P. Peterson who occupied living rooms over the saloon, were at the masquerade at the Danes’ Home hall.  Before the engine had got steam up and was ready at the courtyard the rear of the saloon in the addition was in a furious blaze.  But the old part burned slowly on account of it being bricked up between the studding.  In a few minutes the fire department had two streams playing on the fire from front and rear, and a third one was directed from the top of Jensen’s building. Many spectators went home thinking there was no danger of the fire getting away from the saloon building but soon little fire streaks seemed to shoot down from the ceiling of Stoner’s harness shop, then they would seem to go back and many thought there was no fire in Matt Jensen’s building, thinking it impossible for fire to have found its way through an eight inch brick wall to it.  But is must have communicated under the roof boards to the V shaped site over the ceiling as soon as the tin melted off on the edge of the roof because of no fire battlement extending upward, and burned away undiscovered until it suddenly broke downward in the harness shop a roaring furnace of fire and smoke.  Then it was but the work of a few minutes before the Exchange Bank of Dakin & Bailey was going and the water giving out at the courtyard reservoir, the engine and hose had to be moved to the one near the Danes’ Home. This gave the fire such a start that all that could be done was to keep it from communicating to the Earle building and Music Hall block.  For had it got into Music Hall, the way the wind was blowing and the water tanks were giving out nothing could have prevented the destruction of several blocks on the west side of Main Street. The steamer soon exhausted the Danes’ Home reservoir and was moved to the bridge but the suction would not work there to any advantage so a fourth move was made to the reservoir on South Street nearly opposite James Rasmussen’s place.  It was pretty hard work to carry long lengths of hose filled with water and covered with ice but the fire boys and many citizens volunteered and did it without uncoupling the hose.  The losses and insurance was as follows:

            Matt Jensen, double brick building one store and basement, loss about $3,000.  Insured in Olson & Johnson’s agency $2,000.  Firemen’s fund $1,000, Northwestern National $1,000.

            Exchange Bank, Dakin & Bailey, loss on fixtures, furniture, stationery etc., $1,000.  Insured in same agency.  Insurance company of North American $700.

            George Stoner, harness stock and tools, loss $1,500.  Insured in I. P. Lord’s agency.  Home N.Y. $1,000.  O. H. Rowe lost about $10 worth of tools, no insurance.

            Fred Peterson, frame brick filled building, loss $1,300.  Insured in Olson & Johnson’s agency.  Northwestern National $700.

            Saloon stock and fixtures, loss $900.  Insured in I. P. Lord’s agency for $500.

            P. Peterson, household goods, loss $500.  Insured, same for $200.

            F. E. Paronto, damage on household goods by smoke $50, no insurance.