The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1867-11-02

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE-Last Tuesday morn |
ng about 9 o'clock our citizens were startled
by an alarm of fire. A great many persons
We're in town, the most oE whom were at /
tending Court, and as a matter Of course,
considerable excitement prevailed. Soon |
large number of people were on their way
to the spot whence the cry Of FIRE" FIRE, -
proceeded. 7 e local was among the num-
Der Arriving at the large and commodious
residence of DR.. III Black, and which was
used by him as one Of the two hotels of
Bolivar, it was plain to be seen that the
alarm bell had not been struck
without cause. Flames were issuing from
the roof neGr the west chimney, and as the
house was tx o-story frame considerable
difficulty was experienced in gaining foot
hold on the burning roof As soon as posi-
bic ladder was procured, and willing hands
rushed to the post of danger, but all to no
purpose, save that Of doing what could not
be. done-extinguishing the FIRE with water
thrown from worse than useless buckets.
To the eye of a fireman, without the "allim
portant machine, tile case was hopeless
Soon the frey element burst forth in all its
might; men left the roof, and betook them
selves TO other portions of the building
where labor would be of more avail Porches
and sheds were torn down, out-houses pro-
teeted, and the crumbling edifce empted of
its contents. Fortunately the air was not
in motion, and the fire advanced but slowly
Owing 10 this fact all Of the furniture and
household effects were saved, though we
are sorry to say, from careless handling, in
a somewhat damaged condition--always the
case where an organized fire company is
needed The building destroyed was worth
at least $4,000, upon which there was no
insurance.
ORIeIN OF THE FIRE
1t seems that fire, early in the morning,
had been started in the CRATE of the room
of the second story looking to the west, and
that from the foulness of the chimney, or
from a vent in the smoke stack above the
mantle, the accident must have originated,
for the room in question was seen to be full
of smoke, and the flames forced their way
out of the roof between the weatherboard-
ing and inside clustering It was observed
that the ERE seemed to have originated about
the chimney above the CRATE in the upper
room.
SURROUNDING BUILDINGS.
For time the residence of the Rev. Mr.
Acton occupied and used by him as hotel,
situated opposite the burning edefce, was in
considerable danger. Owing to the prompt
ness however, of a number of persons who
were not afraid to get their good clothes
spite" no damage was sustained in this
quarter In the southeast corner of the
yard, situated about thirty yards from the fire,
with largo cedar trees between, stood a small
frame building occupied by one Of our citi-
zens. This structure was also cared for
and saved from the devouring flames. But
the hardest task Of all was to save the cot
tage Immediately opposite the rear portion of
the residence, distance only about eight or
ten feet. Blankets and carpets were spread
upon the roof of the endangered house,
which were kept saturated with water, and
which we are pleased to state, saved the
building, thus retaining as it were, from
the whitening tongue Of the demon fire >
roof for the family of our distressed and
unfortunate fellow citizen
S., 900 In MONEY
We learn that DR.. Black, besides loosing
his magnificent residence, had the double
misfortune to sustain loss of $3, 900 in
greenback, which, it is supposed, was
destroyed by fire or stolen by some
miserable scamp while the contents of the
house were being removed to a place Of
safety.
THE IFS
an organized fire company had been on
hand with only an inferior hand engine the
fire could have been subdued in less than
ten miutes from the time the alarm was
sounded But you see, kind reader, the
"ifs =" have it, the fire proved disastrous
and 80 it will ever be until Bolivar takes
a step or two in the line of protection
Seven thousand dollars al one fre-that
would purchase two or three fire engines.
We are informed by Dr. Black that be
will be prepared, by the latter part of the
coming week to furnish his friends and the
public with hotel accommodation.