Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-01-30
destructive Fire.
diff

terday Sunday morning. 1t was few minutes
past two O'Clock, when people were reused from
their sleep by the watchman'a rattle and the cry
Of fre--a cry always startling, but doubly so at
such an hour Of the coolest night Of the season,
with the thermometer at sir degrees beioD zero.
This unusual severity of the weather, restrained
most from leaving their comfortable quarters, ex-
cept the fireman and those who always make it
matter of duty to be present at every fire that &C.
enrs, until the clangor of the bells, and the bril-.
liant illumination Of every object, gave cause TO
fear that an extensive confagration was raging.
The fire was first discovered in the s. Worces-
ter Dramatic Museum +" in the upper story of
"Flagg's Buildings opposite the Central Hotel,
from which it extended, successfully to the two
stories below, and the basement underneath.
When il had been burning about half an hour,
the gable wall at the north end fell, partially
crushing the two story building adjoining, belong
ing TO William Dickinson, Esq Shortly after,
the west wall fell, and still later, the front wall.
This was succeeded by the falling ofthe remain
der of the north wall, crushing Mr.: Dickinsons
building into the cellar, where the materials and
contents OF the building lie, mingled mass Of
ruins. Five minutes before the front wall fell,
firemen were stInding upon the side walk, play
ing upon the flames within, and when it fell,
numbers were in the street, so near, thai, if they
had not seen it coming and fled, they would have
been overwhelmed by the falling mass.
Fortunately, the destruction was confined to
the buildings already named. For time, it
seemed doubtful whether the adjoining block, on
the south, occupied in part by the Qunsigamcnd
Bank, and A. Y. Thompson. g. Co., Dry Goods
dealers, and having the Old Fellows Hall in the
upper story. could be saved, but the very thick
double wall between them proved fire proof On
the other side, the elegant four story dwelling Of
VIM. Dickinson, Esq, with stores in the base
ment, would have been in imminent danger, but
for the ghtness of the wind, and its favorable
direction. E&Y
'flagg's Buildings was one of he finest
blocks for business purposes in tie city, nearly
new, and thoroughly built. The loss on the build
ing Is about 1000, insured for $4,000
The first story was occupied by Clark & Sanford,
fancy dry goods, Martin Stowe, and Charles Up
ton, Dry Goods dealers, and VIM. H. Hudson,
Draper, and Merchant Tailor. These were all
extensive establishments, doing heavy business
Their stocks on the first floor were mostly removed
with some damege, but portion Of their goods,
kept in the basement, were left to the flames The
second story was occupied by Edward R. Fiske,
Book and Job Printer, Edward NJ. Bill, Publish
er and wholesale book dealer, and Vim. B. Max
well and VIM. Henry Howe, Attorneys Mr..
Fiske's loss is about $4,000. insured for $500.
Mr.. Bills stock was mostly removed. He has in-
surance for $500, which viii nearly or quite COW
er his loss. MIR. Maxwe's valuable Library,
and bis furniture, were removed and saved. Lit
Mr.. Howe's Office. The upper story, which was
originally fitted up in fine style, as public hall,
was afterwards altered TO fit it for dramatic ex-
hibitlons, and was occupied as " the Worcester
Dramatic Museum = by Messrs Gates g. Brown.
Their property, consisting Of Scenery, Ward.
robe, &c, including one or two valuable dora
mas, was valued at $4,000, on which was insur-
ance for $4,000 Nothing was saved.
MIR Dickinson's building, though afording con-
siderable accommodation, was cheaply construc-
ted, and the loss 10 estimated at $500, of which
$500 is insured. It's occupants were H. Fl. Day.
Ton, Fancy Goods; JosephS. Wesby, Bookstore
and Bindery, James J. Johnson, Barber's Shop
and Bathing Rooms; and |. IL. Upton, rnanufac-
turer of Children's Hats Mr. Dayton's loss is
about $4,000: insured for $4,000. Mr Wesby's
loss is about $4,000, and no insurance. Mr. John
sons loss in fixtures for bathing rooms, furniture,
&C., is about 81 300, insured for $500. Mr.
Upton's stock was mostly removed and his loss
is triaing. In Mr.. Wesby's bindery, Edward
Livermore had stock TO the amount of $500.
which is supposed to have been insured. j. Buff.
fam of Boston, also, had stock there of the value
of $1,000, on which there was no insurance.
The aggregate loss to the various sufferers 10
about $50 900. The insurance is distributed as
follows
"Flagg's Building, owned by Heirs of
Elisha Flagg. Insured at Union Mutual
Boston, for SIS, 900
Mechanics Mutual, Boston, 5000
Springfield Mutual, 5000
Clark & Sanford, ms. at Etna Office, Hart
ford, for 5000
Martin Stowe, ms. at Fitchburg Mutual for 1000
Charlestown Mutual for 1900
Charles Upton, ins. at Mechanls' & Farm
ers' for 1000
at n; Western, oswego, 1000
Wm. ii. Hudson, ms at Franklin Mutual,
Saratoga, N. Y, for 1000
Atlantic, Providence, R. l., for $500
L. K. Fiske ina.i at franklin Mutual, Sara
toga, N. y, for 1900
Springfield +. g. Mar. for 300
E. NJ. Bill, ms. Franklin Mutual, ". Y, for 400
Gates & Rrn,un ErankIin Mutual n " Q nnn