The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-09-08
DEsTRUCrryEFIR

We are called upon to record the incl
dents OF The most destructive fire that has
for u long time happened in our town. il
took place last Saturday n,sni, involving
The Total destruction OF BACHELOR BLOCK,
on Factory Island, The mo-, valuable build
iny and block Of stores in town, as also The
partial destruction Of an adjoining BLOCK,
and The ruin Of ihr go' Dis and business OF
some OF our mos, esteemed aud enierpris'
ing businessmen. II is loss which Is
felt by all as public calamity, aud awak-
Gus the livliesi sympathy oil the commnni-
~ for those who are the immediate sutier-
ers.
This block was bull, about nine years
ago, a, COS, OF SIS, 900. blythe York Man.
uiaciuIing Company, who own mos, OF the
real estate upon the Island. lis yalne nj
the time OF the fire mus, have been much
more Than its cost. |, was Of brick, three
stories ia height. with a granite and iron
front 10 The lower story. Brick walls run
ming up TO the floor Of the third story, di-
viIed il into -four paris-,he trsi floor being
occupied As stores, the second rs offices or
sLors, and the third by a hall tCuits Hal')
aud lis aI,le-tooms. The following is a
list Of the occupants, losses, &C., As correct
as we are able To make II q, present:
On the First Floor.
HAMILTON & CO., Dry Goods Store, in
which the fire was first discovered. The
store could no, be entered after the alarm.
Everything was los,--even all their account
books and papers. Value Of goods, &C.,
S25. 900. Insured $4,000.
Miss SARAH LOWELL, Dressmaker. Nil.
liner and Ladies Furnishing store. Moth
ing saved. Value 81 goods, &C., $4,000.
Insured $500.
TRISTAN GILMAN, Apo,hecary Store. A
portion al The stock saved. Insurance
$1,000, which will nearly cover The loss
Mr.. Gilman was agent Of the town Tor the
sale OF liquors, aud The loss Of the town is
$500.
JAMES FrRSALp. Furniture Store. Ar,i-
cles removed, with some damage. lnsur-
ance to cover the loss.
Z B. HUTF. Tailor, rooms in second
story, lost everything. He had jus, entered
inio The purchase and sale Of cloihs in con-
nec,ion with his trade, having taken in $500
worth Of cloths a few days ago. Value ST.
900 No insurance
JARVIS WILLIAMS, office. Everything
saveC.
SAco Athenmum, Library. Books all re-
moved. and the damage incohsiderable.
Several rooms OH the second floor Were
unoccupied.
The Srco Guards had their armory in the
third story adjoining the hall. Their mus.
kets, 80 in number belonging to the State,
were destroyed. Also the fixtures, a valua.
BILE Banner. &C.. belonging to the company.
value $3.50 to $500.
Saco Lodge Of Free Masons. hall in attic
Lost regalia and furniture, $500, partially
covered by insurance.
York Chapter of Free Masons furniture
and regalia. $3.50. No insurance.
JAMES NJ. DEERiNG's Block Of one story
wooden stores which joined The end OF the
brick block was crushed Ia The length Of three
stores, by the falling walls and mass Of bur-
ming materials Building insured.
These stores were occupied by JOSEPH S.
STEVENS. Boot and Shoe Store stock val
ued mt about 81 200, and mostly saved, in
surrd $1,000. E. j Colo, Daguerrean Ar
fist +: stock almost saved. MANA SMITH
Jcwelry, Cookery. and fancy goods; part
saved. Insured 81 500.
NoYEs & BArcuELpER, Books and Station.
cry aud Printing Office, removed their goods
aud part Of their printing materials, with
some damage; but their rooms escaped I'M
injured they were insured.
The alarm Of FIRE was given about II
O'Clock; and at that time the fire was in
Messrs. Hamilton's store or the rooms over
IL. Tho boz, oirn's oftho 6ro@cn Of bu'h
towns could not confne the flames. The
iron front doors and shutters prevented all
access to the store. The doors resisted an
attack with an axe before the arriv al OF The
key, and when the key came, it could not
open the lock either from the expansion Of
the iron or the bruises caused by the blows
Of the axe. A faithful dog. whose cries hal
given the alarm persisted in the store. The
origin Of the FIRE is yet unknown. Demo
erdi.