The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-12-28
Y. hole Number 1852

The fire was discovered on the Cliff ST. portion
of the establishment first. The origin of the fire
was the subject of unusual number of rnmnrs,
including the explosion of of the steam boilers
used in the establishment, but it is stated by one
of the proprietors of the concern to have been
caused by campheue.
| 1t seems that plumber who was al work in the
lower part of the building. arranging some water
pipes, lighted piece o. paper for the purpose of
lighting his cigar or pipe, which having done he
carelessly threw the burning paper into a vessel
containing camphene, the supposing it was
water. In insiaut tao liquid WINS 10 blaze /;
the flames communicated to thin pnrti ion. burn
ing through into small apartment where was
kept considerable quantity of camphene, for the
purpose of cleaning the rollers of the printing
presses. The fluid in this room was instantane-
ously in blaze and the flames were carried by
the strong draught through the harchways and
openings for the dumb wal ers into every story of
the building. The flames burst through the par-
titions with great fury and swept in all directions
of the rooms from building 10 building, until fse
of them were entirely enveloped in fumes. The
spread of fire thus started 10 an establishment
filled with such combustibe material, as not only
bound but unbound books in immense quantities
we're 10 the drying-roons and bindeies, may be
better imagined than desciibed.s There WIS a
large number of employees engaged in the estab-
lishment, including about four hundred females en-
poyed in the extensive binderies, &c. The panic
among the latter lass terrible. and the escape
of many of them from the prison house of flame,
would, without ALL have been impossible.
1 rT,a fret r,ost in, xvo,L do,a xr,s
the rescuing Of The male and female operatives by
the Hook and Ladder Companies ussisted by their
brother firemen. Police and citizens.
The long ladders were quickly hoisted to the
| windows on both streets, and by careful aud
| judcious management the vast number were
carefully landed in the street within the short
space of 20 minutes from the time the alarm was
first sounded by the Hall bell. Several of the
girls were very nervous, and while descending the
ladder with fremen and others, two three OF
them faiuted but were speedily resuscitated at q
drug store in the Immediate vicinity.
In little more than an hour after the alarm
was given, the spectrce awfuiy grard. By
this time The flames had swept through from Cliff
to Pearl-st, any thing reminding of this i'm
mense publishing house but the bare walls; with
In these the flames were furousy raging. having
the appearance of a grea lake of fire. Adjoining
the Harpers' establishment the south side of
Pearl ST., the large six story buildings, Mes.
321 and 323, occupied by Messrs George F.
Coolidge & Brothers, extensive school book pub
fishers and dealers. The fire con munica, ed with
this establishment at the attic stories, and all eff
forts to subdue the flames were of no avail
From floor floor the fire made its way to the
basement, and destroyed the enlire buildings to-
gether with the vast quantities of property inside.
About 2d o'clock portion Of the walls of the
Harpers' and Cuoledge buildings on Cliff and
Pearl-sts., fell with a tremendous crash. The
apprehension of the spectators was truly horrible
as the destruction of many blocks of buildings in
the vicinity seemed inevitable. The wind wae
blowing fresh for part of the Time, and large
Goals of fire were carried into Beekman and other
streets, falling thick and fast upon the roofs o
buildings, and the heads Ct tho assembled specta
tors.
: LOSSES ASD INsURAScEs.
The following s 4 correct account of the losses
and insurarces of the various sufferers, near al
we could ascertain:
Messrs. Harper & Bro,her.-The entire los
of thsi firm is estimated at million four hun
dred housInd dollars, of which S4OO 600 was il
their buildings, the remainder being their immense
stock of publications, presses, type and the ohel
materials of their publishing establishment
We understand that the insurance on the whole
amount is but $2c0 600. With the exception Of 6
policy of 100000 in Foreign Insurance Com
pany, nearly every office in this City has risk o
S. 900. Their buildings fronting on Cliff st. con-
thined number of ,nnmmoh steam power presses
which entirely destroyed. The three other
beautiful buildings, Of the Ha'pers on the corner
of Cliff and Ferry -sts., escaped any damage what
ever.
We are informed that the macs of the valuable
stereotype plates owned by the Mesvrs. Harperl
are saved. IA they were all packed away in large
street vauts. .
Many other persons residing IN the immediate
vicinity sustained Considerable damage by water
, Their individual nsses amount to from $3.50 t
So 500, which they have nsurances.
NATURALIZATION. Loss. Insured
Harper & Brothers, 81 100000 $3.50 00t
, Cooledge g. Brother, 100 900 100000
\ A. Howell, . 600 2Oo(
' A. Dougherty, @ Il 900 l2 OO(
l ]. ShuItz, 1900 1,5ot
J. X. HuppeI, 1000 5000
. Y