Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-05-26
The Most Fearful Fire on
Record!
Total Loss, 39J,OOO,OO,
Insurance, 8 7o,OOO,OO.

1t is our painful duty 20 record the
particulars of fire which occurred in
tLis city yesterday, the 10th inst, which
in extent and destructiveness, the size of
the place considered, has no parallel on
record.
Sixty-four business houses were
burned, aud Twenty Five Families made
houseless.
The fire broke out about half past five
P. NJ, in shed in the rear of H. A.
Taylor & Co.'s building, used as furni-
ture store and printing Office. No fire
had ever been in this shed, and the Ere
either originated from sparks from the
chimney of the Fenian Saloon, which
had burned cut half hour before, or
from the pipe of drunken Irishman,
who was found lying where the fire orig
mated, aud barely saved from the flames.
The rapidity with which the flames
spread was almost past belief. Not
even the books, or personal effects of the
workmen, were saved from the Star and
Times office, ard merchants in adjoin.
ing blocks had barely time to secure their
valuable papers. The wind was blow
ing gale, and the flames seemed to
break out simultaneously in every direc-
ton. The City Hotel was enveloped in
fire, before the alarm had hardly been
given, and the family and guests escaped
with only what they wore.
In an hour the scene was terrific
The great pillows of fame, the large
volumes of binding smoke-the frequent
explosions of powder-the piles of goods
hastily moved, only to be Tapped up by
the myriad Kissing tongues of flame
the darkness, uncertainty, terror and des-
pair-the blackened ruins, of what
few moments before, were marts of mer-
chaudise and elegant homes-the crowd
of toiling, anxious men and teiror-strick-
ell women, all formed scene alike terri
bic and grand. In about two hours the
Fire Fiend had done its work. What at
noon was the mart of a thriving city, at
shutdown was blackened ruin. But
one store was left. The proceeds of
years ssof toil-the abundance which
brought afluence and elegance, the little
that had been saved from the proceeds
of toll, oil persisted and gone. 1t is due
to our business men to say, that no men
ever bore losses with more fortitude, or
set to work with more cheerful energy
to retrieve them. Most of the business
men are able to 90 on without very seri-
GUS embarrassment, and those who are
not, only need lcniency on the part of
their creditors to make them safe. The
FIRE had not ceased before the work of
rebuilding was planned, every tempo
rary situation secured, and the city will
rise, Phoenix like, from its ashes.
1t is hardly necessary for us 10 add,
that we trust those who are owing our
business men, will see the duty and re-
cessity of prompt and willing payment.
Tho following is list of the
losses, as near as can be ascertained at
present.
! Geo. Brayton, residence, $780, House.
hold furniture, clothing, provisions, DC,
$500. Insured for $500.
A. Richard. dwelling house, $500. Fur
niture. &C., $500. Insured for $780,
| Burhyte Bros, stock of goods, S25, 600 !;
partly saved. Insurance 50 500.
s. Moffatt, library and Office furniture.
| $500. No insurance.
d. M. Dippo. millinery goods, 81 $780,
saved about $500; Insurance. $500.
ID. @. Fulton d Co., stock of goods. Sl8.-
0oO; partly saved. Insurance $500. Build
| ing known as Richards Block 81 900. In
surance, SO 500.
VIM. II. Grove, building, 81 500. Stock
! of goods, $4,000. Insured for $1,000.
James Murphy, building, $500. Stock
of goods, $500. Insurance 81 500.
Geo Frizzell household goods. furniture
and clothing, 500. No insurance.