THE WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

December 9, 1898

 

THE WEYAUWEGA FIRE.

Waupaca Fire Department Responds Quickly – Lost a Horse.

 

            Tuesday evening about 8 o’clock the fire bell rang and many, supposed Waupaca was about to experience her first winter fire, but on reaching Main street it was reported that Weyauwega was on fire and that assistance had been asked from our fire department. Chief Stout conferred hastily with members of the council, who were just about to convene in regular monthly session, and in a few minutes the city blacks were hitched in front of the steamer and started with Engineer Paulson to relieve if possible our neighboring village. Mr. Weed telephoned that he would see that a fresh team would meet us.

            The fire was reported as starting in Woods’ Hotel, and a message from the Wolf River telephone exchange just as the engine started stated that it was getting hot on that side of the street and the electrician was cutting the wires, preparing to taking the switch board.  The Wisconsin phone had already gone up in the burning hotel and as no further communication could be had by the Wolf River-Badger line the inference was that the town was surely burning.  On that supposition the cities of Appleton and Oshkosh, who asked by phone from Waupaca in regard to the Weyauwega fire, made up the sensational dispatches for the Associated Press and special papers.  The state directory supplied the list of business houses which were supposed to have burned, or would burn if the town were wiped out.  In this way Weyauwega got considerable advertising at little expense to the corporation, but every person who had relatives there or a friendly business relation in the town were happy when they heard that only one building instead of the whole town was gone.

            Mayor Evans and Alderman Hollenbeck started before the engine and when they got to L Harrington’s they arranged with him to hitch his team on ahead of Waupaca’s to help haul the steamer into town.  In the meantime Will Rutherford hitched his team onto the hose wagon and took a thousand feet of hose and several volunteer firemen to help man them in case of necessity.  They started about thirty minutes later than the engine and arrived in Weyauwega only a few minutes later.  Although the fire was kept confined to the building in which it started Weyauwega business men and others were none the less appreciative of the good will expressed by our city in the ready response made to their call for help.  There were nearly fifty people from this city present in one hour, ready to lend a helping hand if need be. Weyauwega generously expressed cheers of approval, supplementing the same with warm oyster stews or anything wanted.

            A warm box stall was provided for the “black beauties” where they were given the best of care, but in the morning when the attendant went to the barn he was shocked to find one of the horses lying down with a leg broken.  The poor beast had laid down during the night and its limb accidentally stepped on by its mate.  It had to be shot to rid it of its misery.

            We understand President Crane of Weyauwega has wired out city to purchase another horse and they would pay the bill.  It is hardly probable that Waupaca will accept their kind offer.

            The Chronicle gives the following in regard to the fire:

            The fire was discovered at about 8:30 o’clock and was then issuing from the west end of the hotel, almost directly under the roof, and probably originated from a defective stovepipe or chimney in the fourth story.  A gentle breeze blew from the west and fanned the flames onto the building, and in a very short time it was evident that the hotel was doomed, and the entire village was in danger of suffering a like fate. Tongues of fire and burning embers were carried high into the air and wafted here and there among the sheds and frame structures in the business portion of the village.  A few of them found favorable lodgings but were discovered by watchful eyes and the incipient fires were immediately quenched.

            The firemen were on hand early and in full force.  An effort to save the flame-enveloped hotel was abandoned and all rushed in to carry out such valuables as they could lay hands on, and in this way a small portion of the household articles and furnishings was saved.  The firemen directed all their energies towards saving Andrew Watterston’s store just across the street and in the direction of the heat and flames.  Their pony engine was placed in the gutter, manned by willing hands, and its tank was kept full by a bucket brigade, the water being drawn from a well at some distance.  The heat became so intense that it was necessary to shield the men with a screen. The screen was made by a row of men holding saturated carpets between themselves and the fire.  Behind this the firemen fought like demons until the walls of the hotel had all fallen in, when a mighty cheer went up and the greatest danger was over.  Had Watterston’s store taken fire, the entire village would undoubtedly have suffered a serious conflagration.

            Many of the residents and business men along the street packed up their valuables and drew them to places of safety.  The heat on the Exchange Block, across the street to the north, was moderated by the application of wet cloths from the windows, yet the plate glass and several other panes were cracked.

            The windows in the Pioneer block were shielded with iron roofing and saved.  E. Hennig’s office and blacksmith shop west of the hotel had a very close call, and it still remains a mystery how the hotel barns were saved.

            Soon after the fire broke out a message was sent to Waupaca and Stevens Point for assistance.  Waupaca sent her steamer and 1,000 feet of hose but all danger was over when they arrived.  Three cheers were given the Waupacaites on their arrival and all comers were hospitably treated to an oyster supper at the American House.  Their good will and promptness is certainly to be commended.  Stevens Point also responded promptly but before starting they were given notice that the fire was under control.

            Woods Hotel was a four story and basement frame building, erected in 1854 by a stock company for the purpose of accommodating the traveling public and as a stopping place for the large number of teamsters who continually went through here with freight from Gills Landing for points west and northwest.

            The hotel was then managed by a man named Beals.  It next became the LaDow House, then the Tarbell House under which name it was managed by various owners until purchased by John Borngesser and known as the Borngesser House, and for the past six years was managed by Wm. Woods as Woods Hotel.  Mr. Woods carried an insurance of only $2,000 on the building, and $500 on furnishings. An inventory of the latter footed up to $2,000 last summer, so of course his loss will be considerable.

            The guests, boarders and waiters saved practically everything they had in their rooms.  Mr. And Mrs. Woods are now located in the vacant rooms over Post’s drug store, where they will remain until definite arrangements can be decided upon.