The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-02-04

tDOESRED.-- AUOuO y " ClOCh Oh OdbuT-
day night an alarm Of fire was raised,
caused by the discovery that wooden
building on Main Street, between
Second and Third, occupied by Mr.
+. We'll as Gentlemen's Furnishing
Store, was all in flames within. The
upper steam engine was on the ground
and had water ION the fire in just
twelve minutes after the alarm was
sounded, but in the meanwhile some
astute individual, with that discretion
that is always SO conspicuous at fires,
broke open the door, and the whole
building was in a moment wrapped in
flames The other engines were also
soon on hand, and worked hard,
throwing a perfect food Of water on
the buildings. The FIRE. as it burst
forth from the opened door of Wells
store, communicated with j ohm Scant-
Inns stove and tin store, which was
'left complete wreck though most of
the stoves, finished ware and stock
were removed, but none Of the tools
were saved. The building in which
the FIRE originated was totally de-
stroyed, and the flames in their pro-
gress leaped over and set fire to the
building occupied by I. Ritteh-
berg, optician, which was also left in
ruins, and subsequently to the build
ing on the corner of the alley, occu-
pied jointly by Anthony Cassineli as
confectionery and ice cream saloon,
and by J. d. Hurst, tobacconist. The
upper part of this building was burn
| ed off and the whole building was
nearly demolished. Wells store, with
all its contents was destroyed. A part
of Rittenberg's stock was removed
but badly damaged, and all his house
hold effects were destroyed. Most of
the stock was removed from Cassin-
ellis and Hurst's, but large quantities
of the goods-candies, nuts, cigars,
&C., were destroyed or stolen. Scores
of boys were seen yesterday, going
about townIBith their pockets convert
ed into confectionery stores or cigar
shops. The last two buildings next
to the alleyawere owned by Mr.. Hen
ry Stockfeth. The one occupied by
Wiel, wei are told, belonged to Mr..
Speck, : of New Harmony, and
the tin shop to John Scantlin.
Klusman's large building, adjoining,
occupied by Hudspeth & Adams, was
also broken open by some wiseacre,
and, in consequence, some little dam
aged, for which there was not the
slightest necessity We are assured.
by men ofiudgment, that, If the doors
of Wells store had not been burst
open until the engines were ready to
play upon the fire, that the adjoining
buildings might have been saved,
with but little damage. None of the
buildings were Of much value, and, if
they had been unoccupied, no one
would especially regret their loss
Well had, we understand, policy o.
his stock of goods for $1,000, about
/ half Of his loss. and there was, it is
said, a small risk on the stocks Of
Cassineh and Hurst. Scantlin's policy
4
had expired about month since, and
he had neglected to insure it. Rit-
tenberg, we believe, had no insurance.
He had, we are told, quantity of
coin secreted on his premises, which
he saved 'i 20 5n4t le 1a2l t~l-
1t is rather singular coincidence
that at the very moment the fire broke
out, the several insurance agents
of the city were holding meeting at
Page & Shapes Office, on Water
Street, and were discussing the pro-
priety of taking risks on these very
buildings. They did not hear the fire
bell, which was the case with many
others' ana were interrupted In their
discussions by gentleman coming in
hastily, and announcing. that fire
was raging on Main Street, when the
meeting adjourned without motion,
the chairman feeling somewhat inter
ested. The city authorities and fire.
men complain that too many peopleqI
and especially ladies, crowd the streets
on the occasion of fires. often pre-
venting themfrom working effectively.
The ladies especially would act wisely
IN staying at home, as during such
i tunes burglars and thieves take adj /
vantage OF the connection to enter
houses that are unguarded, to steal
and rob, -.'.i} 1900 y