The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-01-09
Destructive FlRE-Ioes EsrlMArED

DESTRUCTIVE FlRE-I.Oss EsTIMATED
AT 10000 DaLIARS.-The fire on Friday
morning was one of the most disastrous
which has visited our city in a long time.
The old adage III never rains but pours,
was more than fulfilled that night. The
most severe snow storm ever known in
this section, accompanied by an intense
cold, such as has rarely ii ever been wit
messed before, prevailed. in the very midst
OF which the fire broke oUt near the bust
ness center Of our city. For while the
prospect was indeed appalling, causing
even the stontest hearts 10 quail. The en-
gines could with the utmost difficulty be
dragged TO the scene OF disaster, and when
there were not OF the slightest nse. Not
only would the water freeze in the pumps,
bat the tiremen became Incapable of work
inc and were obliged to seek shelter. The
raging storm prevented the alarm bells
from being heard, but few were aware OF
the existence OF the still more dangerous
element in their midst. Although tho fire
broke ont before three O'Clock The scene
was not visited 10y II hundred ueople before
daylight, and by the lew who were pres
eat 10 effort could be raatie 70 stay the
flames. Thus i ragged until, happily ii
ceased for want Of materia, . feel upon.
Massive brick walls or either side checked
y long before The most sanguine had dared
10 nope for such an event, and n. about
eight O'Clock in the morning The work %
desruetion virtually ceased.
The IRE commenced IN the brick Guild
ns on the corner Of Main aud Wa;or
streets. occu2ied by Nr. Cooper for the
safe q liquors ana as a residence. HOW,
npr III what precise locality ii originated. no
Tone Knows the FIRST iutimntion of lis pres
enca being -iven by dense vsluucs Of
smoke iil!lng the Sleeping apartments o:-
up4e9 ~, ~. Chopper and his family.
f4.4f7 :.
but little besides their clothing.
FROM th'nce the flames spread to he ;.d-
o.aing stores on Water street, occupied by
". Z. hpilvln - 2 packet agency and con;
mission house, destroying The hai,iiil : an 4
contents. Mr. HoiIvn's loss was princi-
paiy or his office furniture. Some boats,
sails, and other articles stored On .ns,Drcu-
lse>, on which ne has an Insurance o. 500
- the Home Company Of Nsw York The
building was owned by Clark Cleveland.
valued at between :. 600 aud S., 600, and
VAS uninsured. lie also loses about six
! hundred bushels OF potatoes. which were
stored IN one of 5ile cellars.
| }. Shepard. a Inarnetman. also mad about
| 900 bushels ri potatoes IN one oil the cell
| iafS, on which lie has an insurance ofSl 200.
Or. Cropper had ar insurance on his
stock and household furniture of s. 500
5000 OF which was III the .Ltna. and -, 0Gt
each ~ .he metropolitan and Merchants $.
| The n'lilding was owned by G. :. Matte
son, and was insured for 3, eUc IN the Hart
/ ford and Phoenix Offices.
The building adjoining on Main stree!
was small one, owned by II. s. Austin,
Esq. and occupied by Lewis Sehradzki 4
Bro. as clothing store, the family of the
senior partner residing over the store. He
lost his entire household goods, including
| the clothing of himself and family. The
total loss or these he estimates at 81 200
on which ne has an insurance Of $500 in
the Charter OAK. The contents OF the store
were but slightly damaged by removal
which is covered by an insurance OF 81, 900
Mr.. Austin had $500 on the building in the
City Office.
The entire loss will probably reach, per.
haps exceed, the sum Of $4,000. But al
are thankful that it is no worse, for none
who witnessedthe confagration dared hope
of seeing it stayed until at least doub le tina,
amount had been destroyed .-Ieoria Traa
| script.