The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-17
OBSTRUCTIVE FIRE IN SAINT
ANTHONY.
Eleven Buildings Burned.
LOSS $4,000 TO $40, 600.

6~O0 ~bo1SOO ~ V@01~OOs
A fire broke out last Friday morning about 5
o'clock, in a two-story wooden building, cor
ner of Main and Bay streets, st. Anthony, op-
posite the bridge, occupied by Mr.. Smith,
grocer and spread rapidly down street, con.
Stunning nine buildings on Main street and two
dwellings on the hill in the rear. -
The fire was first discovered by Mr.. Smith,
whose family lived over the store, but too late
to extinguish it, as it had probably been burn
ing for some time and was just beginning to
break outside; and before the neighbors in the
vicinity were aroused, the building was envel-
oped in flames. A gentle breeze was blowing,
which caused the flames to spread, and the
buildings were so close together that it was
impossible to save any of them, and entire at
tentien was turned to saving the goods, &c.
The engines were on hand, bntunfortunately
only one of them, the Minnesota, was in
working order, and even that was not got to
work in time to stay the flames, until the nine
buildings on Main street were past being
saved. Between these and the next building
occupied by Mr.. Getchell-a space of some
three or four rods interviewed, and by turning
the hose on this building it was saved.
The first three buildings were owned by Mr..
R. B. Graves, formerly banker in that city, and
occupied by Mr.. Smith, Beal's Photograph
Gallery, and the City Council Rooms Mr..
Smith lost bis entire stock and furniture him.
self and wife barely saving clothing enougkto
cover their persons. His loss is estimated at
about $S, 500. insured for 81 900. All the fur.
niture and apparatus of the Gallery were lost,
nothing saved. We did moi learn the amount
of the loss, nor whether insured The furni.
ture, &C., of the Council Chamber, were all
consumed, but the records, being in fire
proof safe, were not much injured. We un-
derstand there was no insurance on the city
property. We did not learn the amount of the
loss of the buildings.
The fourth building was occupied bv Mr.
McCarty,-iquor saloon, and owned by Mr..
Petran. We believe the stock was saved
(wouldn't burn.)
Mr.. Thompson, Jeweler, occupied the fifth
building, which he owned. Stock saved. No
insurance on building.
Mr.. Baker-Variety Store-owned the sixth
building, and also the residence in the rear, on
the hill-occupied by Mr.. Rice. Mr.. Bakers
family lived in the same building with the
store. He saved most of his stock and furni-
ture. Insured for $3.50 on buildings, and $500
on stock. His loss is not estimated.
The seventh building was occupied by Mar
tin Lemmer. butcher, and was owned by him.
He saved most of his stock. Loss on building,
from $500 to $500. No insurance.
Mr.. Coville, Grocer, occupied the next build
ing. His family lived over the store. He
saved his stock and furniture in q somewhat
damaged condition. Loss about $500. Mr..
Patch owned the building. No insurance.
The ninth was owned and occupied by Mr..
Chase, boot and shoe dealer, and clothing and
gents furnishing goods. Stock saved. Loss
on building about $500. Insured for $500
only.
The other dwelling on the hill, owned by
Mr.. Chamberlln, was occupied by Mr.. Pearl.
Mr.. Leighton's drug store, OConnor's
dry goods store and the Cataract Engine
House, on the opposite side of the street
were scorched considerably, and nearly every
pane of glass cracked. The postofice, corner
Main and Bay streets, opposite Smiths. was
also warmed 30 much that friend Wales, the
Postmaster, who lived over it, deemed it pro.
Der to pack up his household goods and pre-
mare to evacuate. He removed the money,
stamps, books, ETC., belonging to the office.
The above facts and figures are as nearly cor
rect as our special reporter could learn them,
amid the great confusion incident to the con-
Aagration.
may reach as high as Is, 600 or $4,000. A con-
siderable proportion of 1t was covered by IN
surance, but some of the loss falls on those lily
able to bear it.
Very many of the people present at the fire,
we learn, assisted in every possible way IN
saving property-and their conduct stands In
bright contrast to those numerous class, too
who stood looking idly on. and rendered
no aid.