The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-04-22

attachments were made to the P r. r. Co. g
pipes that water sufficient could be obtained
to effect any good, but when that was done
the 6remen accomplished wonders in the sa-
wing CT property, and for their noble and un-
firing exertions deserve The gratitude of the
entire community. Before they succeed ed
in overcoming he flames, however, and in
deed in almost less time than it requires to
write this, nineteen families were rendered
homeless and probably $50, 600 worth Of
real and personal property was destroyed =
What adds to the misfortune is that nearly
all the sufferers are laboring men and women,
not few of whom have been left with scarce
ly enough clothing to cover their backs.
give the names of the sufferers, the estimated
loss of each. and the amount of insurance. so
far as have been able to gather the facts ::
Burners loss SIS, 900, insurance $IO,S75 !;
Peterson's loss $4,000, insurance So 800 :;
Eiliott's loss SIS 900, insurance 81 400 ;
Is. KehlRs loss SIS 900, insurance 81, 900 ;
Piper's loss $500, insurance $500 Geo. w
Patton's loss 10000. insurance Sl,500; j.
Berkowitz's loss 500, insurance $500 J.
Hesser's loss $500. insurance $500; Works
loss, 900; +. Wahl, Sl,500 ); DIR. Miller,
81. 100 DR.. Henderson, 400; Rosenstine,
$500; Rossi, $500; Holtzworth, 5000; Whis-
sell, 81 200; Mrs. Rochester, 5000. None
OF tho parties had any insurance except
those whose names | have attached the sever
al amounts. The losses by the coufagra-
tiou were not the only ores sustained. for
during the confusion many articles were
carried off by thieves. and it is probable
that very few Of them will ever be recovered
by their righful owners. The fire was ur-
doubtedly the work of an incendiary, and
many entertain the belief that the man who
could be guilty of such helllsh act, with
out and apparent notice for either revenge
or gain, must be a monomaniac on the sub
ject, and the frequency of fires, resulting
from ipcendiarism would seem to give col
oring to this theory.
In view of this terrible calamity I am
prompted to say a few words to our city
fathers albeit the medium of your paper is
perhaps q round about method of reaching
them. And what | have to say is this: 1t
was demonstrated, beyond all doubt, that if
the steam fire engines could have obtained
sufficient water when they first reached the
scene of conhAgratioH, the destruction Of
property would have been paratively
light. Now, gentlemen Of the council
would it not be much better for you to make
some provision for the better protection of
property than to be wasting your time in a
useless discussion about the propriety of
laying a Nicholson pavement on Harriet
StISGL i SGuluIS luS pIGtilCllOli ludG IL our
city council would endeavor to secure the
loan of 500, 900 or 5000 900 for the pur-
pose Of supplying the city with water sufi
cient for any emergency. there is not citi-
zen outside the Gas and Water Company
who would not say Amen to the project
with hearty good will. Let our people
first have the assurance that their property
will be safe from that destroying element.
fire. (s0 far at least as our municipal au-
thorities eau accomplish that desirable end
and they will not be long in making i'm
provements which will be lasting credit
to our city. And now is the time to begin
the work-not tomorrow or next day. Let
US have good, substantial water works of
sufficient capacity to supply the entire city
with an abundance of water and can let us
hare them aCithOut delay. Such an invest
ment would soon prove a profitable one, as
the city could realize or 10 per cent. on
the money expended without doubt, be-
sides securing the comfort and comparative
safety of all it's citizens-a thing not to
be computed by dollars or cents. l trust
that the all important question will be pro-
pounded to candidates for municipal Office
henceforth. until the good work has been
accom- plished, Are you in favor of the city
supplying sufficient water for the protection
of the property of its citizens?" | may re-
fer to this again in my next letter
Yours, &c, L. l. ID