The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-11
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN WlLKESBARRE, PA,

Names Ofthe Sufferers and the Amount
OF LOsses-A Large Number OF Business
Houses DestrOyed-NarrOw Escape OF
the Wyoming Valley Hotel, Etc.
WILKEsBARRE Pa, April Gone Of the most
destructive fires ever knewn in this section of
the Keystone State, and one which has laid
very large portion of this bea utiful and enter
prisIng town in ashes, occurred to-day. To
Gothamite, and especially to one who looks
upon such matters with an eye reportorial, the
confederation which has created such excite
ment here would not be considered as matter
of extreme importance; but when the extent of
population in Wilkesbarre is taken into conside-
ration, about twelve thousand and when the
fact is further understood that many of the
most important business establishments here
are now heap of smouldering ruins, it may be
very readily imagined the people here are in
cined TO the opinion that in the destruction
wrought to-day by the imp of fire they have
a decidedly ''big-thing" in the way of conAagra-
tions. Judging of it as a Gothamite would
judge. e., considering everything from Man
hattanese standpoint-lt is as il, tor instance, a
fire had laid in ashes Broadway from Wall
street to Canal, and on either side of Broadway
midway between it and the East and North
rivers, respectively.
The FIRE broke out at O'Clock this morning in
the tInware establishment Of Mr.. Theron Bur
nett ON Market (the principal) street, and IS
thought to have originated from a portable
derlng purposes), which had been left ignited
IN the rear part of that establishment. As that
section OF the street in which the conhagration
commented was made up mostly OF frame build
ings the fire extended quite rapidly, and owing
to the absence of any steam hre apparatus it
very soon attained such proportions that at one
time 1t was thought the whole town was doomed
to destruction. As if to add to the fears that
were so well founded the wind freshened
about the time when the building first en-.
veloped was doomed beyond all hope, and
blew the flames eastward up Market street
(north side) to Franklin, sweeping away,
in q short space of time, everything that stood
in the direction of their course. At the same
time the conhagration extended westwardly (on
the same slde) to the sadlery and harness esta-
bishment of Mr.. w. W. Looms, where, that
building having solid brick wall on the fire
side, they were temporarily stayed. On the
south size OF Market street, the fire, having
crossed over extended it's ravages from the
Wyoming Bank building eastwardly to the dry
goods establishment of Mr.. j. Fazer, which was
badly damaged, though not totally destroyed.
When the fire reached Franklin street it took in
(or rather took DOWN q large extent of pro-
perty. Franklin crosses Market street, and the
flames extended each way, north and south of
that thoroughfare, from the Wyoming Bank
building to the law building OF Mr.. II. Hakes.
When they had nearly reached this point con-
sultation was held, and it was agreed upon that,
IN order 10 prevent any further spread of the
confederation, 1t would become necessary to raze
the Hakes building to the ground. This was
accordingly done, and, as results proved, with
entire success.
At one time it was thought that the Wyoming
Valley Hotel, one of the finest hotel structures
in the State was doomed. In fact, the roof of
the rear OF this building caught fire several
times; but by dint of plentiful use of water
from the hose in the building, and the spreading
on the roof OF carpets saturated with water, the
edifce was saved Had 1t not been for the TACT
however, that the services of the large number
of employees OF this establishment we're brought
into requlslilon almost from the outset of the
hTe, the hotel would have been burned beyond
all peradventure. The Wyoming Bank build
ing, being nearly hreproof, was saved Irom
destruction by the most strenuous eXertions of
the hremen, who worked throughout with most
Commendable perseverance and alacrity. This
structure, the upper part OF which is occupied
by the Wyoming Insurance Company. was not
severely damaged. Probably $500 will cover
the entire loss.
Among the heaviest losses, their means being
considered, are the families who occupied the
upper portions of the buildings on Market and
Franklin streets. These were mostly of the
working class aud in but very few cases was
their furniture-their little all-insured They
have been thrown out OF house and home; but
the knd-hcarted people here have made omple
arrangements for ahording them shelter.
II is at this time impossible 10 determine the
exact extent of the losses incurred by this con-
fagration. The following, however, l have
! ascertained. Probably the full amount will not
fall short of 5000, ,OO0.
The losses were:--Dr. e. B. Miner, drugs,
|
! $4,000, fully insured; B. NJ. Steiler, bakery,
! loss $1,000, insured for $4OO; Housenick q John
son. furniture. $4,000, insured for $4,000; B.
! c. Carpenter, stoves, ETC., $3.50, insured; A. Q.
Laning, residence damaged, $500; j. M. House
nick, residence damaged, $40O; Daniel X. Mead,
! barber, 5000, no insurance; G. f. Butler, books
and stationery, loss $4,000, insured Tor $4,000;
j. W. Lynde, watches and jewelry, 500; 7.
Parker, jewelry, S900 w. p. Miner (office OF
the Record of he Times newspaper), $40, 900,
no insurance; John Sturtevant 4 Co., crockery,
Sl2. 900. insured for $4,000; Charles Cook,
photographs, $500; F. L. FAIRIES, hats and caps,
$500; j. f. Jordan, watches and jewelry, $500,
insured: building belonging to the Dennis estate
| comprising hotel and store building loss
| S22, ,500-iDsuTed for $1,000. w. W, Loomis,
saddIery and harness, $5OO-fully insured.
james Taylor bakery, loss $25OO-insured lor
$500 Justice S. &. Parsons office, loss $500
insured for $3.50. Urquhart & Paine erocers,
| loss S8000-tully insured. L. B. Perrine,
"Whitehorse Hotel,H loss S90OO-insured foI
$4,000. Pyle q Creyeling, clothing merchants
loss triflng. Miss Catherine Patton, millinery
establishment, fully insured. II. Hakes.
law office, building total loss, books
and property mostly saved7-fully Insured
The above statement comprises nearly all the
losers in stock and merchandise. The folio WING
are the principal sufferers by the loss of real
estate property, most OF which is insured;- =
John Granden, of Clinton, N. j.; and q. Ben
nett, j. Sturteyant q Co., G. G. Butler, House
nick q Johnson, estate of Captain Dennis, W
Lee, Jr, I. Burnett, j. M. Courtwright o.
Collins, u. Hakes, and DR.. William Brisbane
all of Wilkesbarre.
As an earnest of the go-aheaditivenass of the
people here, may mention that In some cases
contracts for new buildings TO occupy the sites
OF the property destroyed have been made this
afternoon, within five honors from the time the
c0paagration was brought uRder control