Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-02-20
II OItODNLNl NIIUITNuI
T. J. RAND, Sec'y.
DEsrRUCTzvE COMMUNICATION.
XOung's New BLOCK In Ashcs!!
$4,000 LOSS.
Milwaukee, Sunday Evening, }
February Is, 10 z. VI. (

CO'uo' 40 ~
The most disasterous fire, which has visited Us
for many months, occurred this evening About
halt-Past 5 O'Clock fire was discovered in the
northern wing Of Young's new nnd elegant brick
block, on the corner of Main and Wisconsin FITS
The alarm was speedily given, but long before
any water could be got upon the building, the
flames, spreading with the speed of the wind,
had complete possession of the entire upper sto-
res, and threatened the inevitable destruction of
the whole block.
The huge ascending columns Of thick black
smoke, iuteTlaccd with fiery tongues Of flame
the rapid oling of all the fire and church bells
in the City the shouts of the Gremcn and citi-
zens, hurrying to the contlagraton-soon attract
cd an inm0nsc conCouTse to the spot All el-
forts, however, to save the block were utterly
unavaing,and the efforts of the Fire Department.
Gnd Others were all directed to the removal of
goods and furniture from the burning buildings,
and the preservation Of those adjoining from the
! threatening flames
These were go far successful that most of the
! goods in the basement stores of Iouny's Block
were got ont, and the adjoining buildings csca-
ped without injury with two exceptions Those
were, the dwellings, of Mr. Lucas Scaver, on
the North, and the Engine House of No | on
the East of Youug's Block. The falling walls
! broke through the roofs of both these buildings
but they escaped comparatively unscathed from
tire. Number Ones house was savod BY the
friendly aid of No. 4; No. l herself being sta
toned at the river supplying No 5.
For an hour and upwards the flames ragged
and roared with great fury, Lighting mp the whole
city and the overhanging clouds with the glare
of a great confagration. Then, as floor after
floor burnt throngh and the oists began to tall,
the walls toppled Overland by I o'clock the whole
structure Wes pile OF ruins.
The LOSE to the enterprizing owner, our res
pocted fellow citizen, William II. Young, was
disasterOus one. Tho block had already cost
him some $4,000, and the upper portion, with
the exception ct the magnificent Musical Hall,
unrivaled IN the West, was still unfinished lie
hsd not q dollar Of Insurance on this large ex-
penditure Nor is his the only, tho the heavi-
est loss. Mr.. French, the master carpenter
and Mr.. Svyer, the mason are also sufferers
The University Institute, which occupied
Yooms on the first floor, lost a large quantity Of
School books and furniture. The Young Mems
Association also lost a portion of their library,
how much we could not learn.
Another peculiarly unfortunate, because al
most irreparabe loss, was that sustained by the
Milwaukee Musical Society. They had rehear-
scd, in the Grand Hall, on Saturday night pre-
pa:atory to the Festival announced for this evon-
ing, and bad left all their five instruments, Vio-
Inns, NioloncolIos, Kettle Drums, Horns and Mu-
sic, in the room. So rapid was the spread of
the flames that il was impossible to save them,
and with one or two exceptions, they were all
destroyed.
Among the number were Violins belonging to
individual members of the Society, DR.. Fessel
and others valued at $500 and upwards and
the total loss on these alone is three or four
thousand dollars, and no insurance.
1t is seldom indeed that so disastrous fire
occurs. Not far from thirty thousand dollars
worth of property, of various sorts, was destroy
ed, and not a dollar Of it insurad.-DGHy .Senii-
mel Ertra.