Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-11-05

eral days behlnu our usual ume OF puUll-
cation. fe
Frnr.-Tnr BENTON HOUSE IN Ru-
IYs!-Loss $4,000 1T becomes our
duty to record ne of the most disastrous
configrations that has ever occurred
in Bellevue. r0.. b..
About 9 o'clock, on Sunday morning,
Nov, Sth, the Benton House was Discovers
ed to be on fire, in the ceiling, near the
stove pipe, over the second story. The
alarm was Immediately given, but the
flames were soon seen issuing from the
roof. The citizens were Immediately on
the ground, making every effort to subdue
the raging elements. Buckets of water
were passed up to those who were now on
the roof; but owing TO the insufficient
quantity that could be obtained, and the
strong northwest wind, the fire spread
with such rapidly, as to render it impos-
sible to remain on the roof only a short
tlules hltullAlile, luc lulultulS anu plO-
visions were being removed from the Ho-
tel, and were nearly all saved from entire
destruction, although more or less dam
aged by rough handling.
Every possible means were used to SUBJ
due the flames, but without success, and
in an hour from the time the alarm was
given, the building was a mass of smoul-
dering ruins.
The total loss cannot be far from S15,-
600. There was no insurance on the
building or furniture. ..l ~
The Hotel was owned and kept by J.
F. Coffman, and the loss, we fear, will
be a disastrous one to him. Mr.. Cof1inan
receives the sympathy of our citizens, and
we hope they will extend to him that ma
terial aid, which he so much deserves.
The boarders will suffer more or less,
by this calamity, in the destruction of ma
ny little articles, which, in themselves, are
of no great value, except to their own
ers. II. r.r
The fire originated as near as we can
learn, from a stove pipe, which passed
through the floor, over the second story.
If a sufficient quantity of water, could
have been readily obtained, the building
might have been saved.
The barn belonging to the Hotel, situ-
ated a short distance in the rear, was on
ly saved by keeping the roof continually
wet" D
Our citizens are deserving of much
praise, for the assistance they rendered in
saving the furniture, sc.
The Benton House was built of wood
for the town company, at a cost of Sl0,-
900, and has been occupied little over q
year. 1t was one of the largest Hotels in
the Territory, and its destruction is not
only a great calamity to its proprietor, but
to the town; and the travelling public.
We doubt not, however, that measure:
will be taken TO erect another in its place
early in the coming spring.
Since the above was in type, a meet
ing Of our citizens has been held, where
it was resolved to erect another building
for a hotel, forthwith. Much spirit anC
animation prevailed. Two thousand dol
lars were subscribed on the spot, toward
carrying out the resolution of the meet
ing. A building committee was appoint
ed and on Thursday morning, hanlS ar,
TO be on the spot, engaged in actual ser
vice. The meeting adjourned, to NEE
again on Wednesday evening.
We have been furnished with full pro
ceedings of the meeting, by the Secreta
ry, but for want of room, we are com
PEELED to omit it.
Alfred Matthias, of Plattford, has beel