The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-01-15
Terrible Confagration.
Loss $4,000.

west with the grocery store occupied by P.
OBrien, and thence successfully to Giles
Jewelry Store, McNeil's Liquor Store, and
Mrs. McNeils Millinery rooms above, Turn
cr's Dry Goods Store, Bowcn's Furniture
Store, the City Hotel, Boyle's Auction
Store, McGuirc's Grocery Store, John Hell
wigs Wagon, Blacksmith and Gun Shop,
and was at this point arrested by the tear
ing down Of one Of Farnsworth's Livery
Stables. Recapitulation-EIg.t business
houses, one hotel, one Wagon, blacksmith,
and Gun Shop, one Lieery Stable in ashes
before IL o'clock, r.
When the extent of the fire is consider
ed. the loss of goods must be regarded as
very small-the greater portion being car.
ritd into the street, in advance Of the
flames. At present writing the losses arc
not fully ascertained. We copy from men,
orandums as follows:
Z. Z. Norton, loss not yet known; fully
covered by insurance on stock; $4,000 in
New England, $4,000 in Metropolitan. and
$4,000 in Phoenix Of Brooklyn; $1,000
on building.
p. O'Bricn, small loss by damage Of
goods rcmoved-no insurance
w. A Gles-goods saved, somewhat in
jured-no insurance.
VIM. Wctzel, building occupied by
O'Brien and Giles, loss $5oO-insured in
Peoria Mutual 5000.
Mcneil, saved portion Of stock, most of
his wifc's goods, but lost all their kitchen
furniture. Loss, $25oO; insured 800 on
stock and 500 on builling.
G. II. 4 L. V. Turner lost about $500
no insurance.
H. J. Ingersoll, owner of building lost
$4,000.
L. Bowen-loss 1900; reinsurance
White, Of Ossian, owner Of building,
loss S200O-no insurance.
Marlatt & Norcross, of City Hotel, loss
5000.
D. Drummond, owner of City Hotel, loss
S3000--no insurance.
l.. Boyd, auctioncer, got goods all out
with little damage.
Mcclure & Co. saved goods with triAing
loss.
NJ. O'Brien's loss on building occupied
by Boyd and Mcclure. estimated at $500
no insurance.
John Helwig-sayed most Of his stock
and tools; loss of building and damage to
engine about $1,000, no insurance.
Farnswor;h's Livery Stable was injured
to the amount Of $780, no insurance.
Total estimated loss by the fire $4,000
to $50, 900 insurance about $4,000.
1t is the general impression that had
there been any efficient apparatus or organ
ization, the fire might have been confined
to the store in which it originated. This,
if true, calls loudly for some organized
means of suppressing the incendiary ele-
mcnt, before that other fire shall break out
which will sweep the town from the river
to the head of Main Street. Continued
neglect in this matter approximates TO
downright crin.inality.
The origin Of the fire is yet shrouded in
mystery. When first discovered, the room
in the second story, occupied by two clerks
in the establishment, was found to be in
flames, supposed to have originated in some
way with the chimney which adjoins tn.
room.
The absence Of much wind and the active
exertions of the occupants in the stores on
the north side of the street saved them
from the flames. The heat was at one time
very intense.
While Norton's building was in flames
the fire communicated on the east several
times to Reynolds Packing house, adjoin-
ing Hoffman, Benton & Co. They were
promptly extingu;shed, however.
The citizens worked with a zeal in cx-
tinguishing the fire, and removing goods
which speaks volumes for their praise
The cold was intense mercury at 800
below zero, and frosted hands and feet were
no rarity. Many suffered bruises, yet con-
tinued their labors till the fire was subdued.
There were others who at the peril of their
lives attached ropes to burning buildings,
that the long columns of men below might
pull them down. Prominent among these
were Cap. johnson, John Peck, G. S. Boyn-
ton, Jas. Mcnamara, and others. The
first of these was especially conspicuous
for his gallantry and activity throughout.
For several years an active fireman, his
quick perceptions enable him to quickly
comprehend all the necessities of the occa.
sion, and his fine physical condition sus.
tanned him throughout all of his laborious
labor. We trust it may be long before we
have another fire like that of Monday, but
when it does come, we hope to see Cap.
Johnson with a trumpet directing and as.
sisting an organized hook and ladder, or
engine combany, in quelling the flames.
CoTToN IN ILLINOIS. Jonesboro