The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-08
INSURANCE ON THE BUILDING
AND FURNITURE FOR
$500.

July ultCIW0Iu6s oS OIu OuC Vi wv OtAOAc. Uut
no signs or smell of fire was perceived. Be-
fore retiring to bed at night he again examined
the premises, and found all apparently safe.
He told the Waterman to keep good lookout,
and the latter did so. When the fire was first
the whole roof was just breaking
out in blaze. The sparks which ignited it
had probably been smouldering under the
caves in the meantime, and the fire thus got
well under Roadway before the roof burned
through, when it was first noticed.
The alarm was promptly given, and the fire.
men and citizens were on hand with wonder
full alacrity, considering the lateness of the
hour. Nothing could be done towards saving
the building, as the entire roof and upper ste-
~ were all o sheet of fame. The efforts of
the fremen and citizens were devoted alone to
saving the movable effects in the building, and
preventing the spread of the flames to the ad-
joining houses. es
Fortunately the night was very still, and as
the Hope and Minnehaha Engines found an
abundance of water near by, they were enabled
by playing two streams to save the row of
frames on Roberts street, occupied by stores
and saloons. The owners took the precaution
to move out their effects, but by great exer-
tions the row was prevented from taking fire.
On the jackson street side of the Hotel, there
were no buildings near enough to be in great
danger, 60 that the fire was confined to the
uilding where it originated. .5s @
The City Hotel was two and half story
frame building, about forty by sixty feet The
front portion of the building was very solidly
built structure. 1t was erected for hotel
about the year 1852, on what is now Bench
street, and stood near the present La Belle
Saloon. It was called the g Mansion House"
and was one of the historic buildings Of the
city. In 1860, Mr.. E. Langevin purchased it
and removed it to its recent site, where he
bnilt an addition to it, and it made very COM
modious second class hotel. 1t subsequently
passed into the hands of Henry F. McClopky,
of Galena, by foreclosure of mortgage. Its
estimated value was about 5000. 1t was in
sured as follows:
One thousand dollars in the Corn Exchange
Bank of New York. 8. 8. Eaton, Agent.
One thousand dollars in the Connecticut of
Hartford, 8. 8. Eaton, Agent.
One thousand dollars in North American of
New York, John 8. Prince, Agent.
Thomas J. Barney, Esq, the lessee and pro-
prietor of the Hotel, informs Us that he had
about $4,000 worth of furniture and other
property in the building, insured as follows:
In the Adriatic, of New York, 81, 500. Is
In the City Fire, of Hartford, 81 500.
Mr.. McClosky's loss, uncovered by insurance,
will be about $3, 600, and Mr.. Barneyis about
81, 500. Quite quantity of the furniture be-
longing to the latter was saved, but in very
damaged condition.
Mr.. n. B. Allen, proprietor of the bar and
billiard room in the Hotel, also lost very heavi-
". He had two fine billiard tables, one OF
which was burned up and the other saved in a
worthless condition. He refused an offer of
81, 800 for his fixtures last week, and valued
them at 81, 900. He had no insurance.
Several of the guests and employees in the
Hotel lost more or less of their clothing and
| effects, but we heard of no very serious loss.
| The fire burned downwards so slowly that
| nearly every thing of portable character was
removed in time, nor did those who were in
| bed and asleep run any danger.
The Fire Department showed that, although
there had not been 3 fire for four or five
months previously. they were in tip top
| discipline. and even more effective than
ever. Had it not been for their untir'
ing labor and daring zeal, the loss of pro-
perry would have been doubled. They alone
saved the frame row of stores adjoining the
City Hotel, and so near it that only their con
| slant labor prevented its destruction. Chic
Engineer Williams directed their movements
admirably, and made every effort tell at the
right time and place Minnehaha and Hope
Engine Companies kept up steady streams, al
though it was difficult to get men to relieve the
exhausted fremen at the brakes. The Pioneer
i Hook and Ladder Company also rendered val
uable aid in razing the out-buildings, so as t.
prevent the spread of the fire, and in saving
other property. We have reason to be proud o
our iremen, and grateful too. Their Sacrifices
of time, and comfort and health are not unno
ticed or unappreciated by the citizens.
This makes the fifth large hotel burned il
this citv during the past ten or eleven years Z
sort of fatality seems to hang over them, an1
although there is plenty of rumors about new
! hotels that are to be erected here and there
sneu rant is becoming very plainly manifest