The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-01-21
-fTE FIRR LAST NIGRF.
Loss between si,Oeo and sa.OsO.

A FIRE broke out about half.past 9
o'clock last night, in the double tene-
ment frame building. on Main Street,
between First and Second, occupied
by T. NJ. Sellman, with sewing ma
chimes, John J. Boyer, boot and shoe
dealer, G. H. Jageman, jeweler, and
Hallock & Ford, druggists. The fire
originated in the back part of tn
building occupied by the three first
named, and originated, as we under
stand, by a a defective hue. Another
account, however, was to the effect
that the fire was caused by some wood
work, near the stove, catching FIRE.
A bucket Of water, if it had been
handy, would have extinguished the
flames when first discovered.
The alarm was sounded, and the
engines wer, soon on the ground.
Steamer No. l reached the scene of
tae fire first, but No. 2 threw the first
water. Nearly all the goods were ia
ken from the stores before any water
was thrown. Prescott's Billiard
room was turned into a warehouse,
and was soon filed with jewelry,
boots and shoes, and drugs. 1t is
not thought that the damage was
very great by the hurried removal, al
though some clocks were probably
injured, and some drugs spilled or
lost. The Hook and Ladder Compa-
ny were promptly on hand, and rem
dered good service.
After the engines got to work, tie
fire was soon extinguished. No. 2
was stationed at the corner Of Main
and First Streets. and soon pumped
out the cistern, when Davis transfer
red the engine to the sewer inlet, near
the corner of Locust and First Streets.
The sewer is filed with water, which
backs up from the river, during the
high stage, and of course the supply
of water was inexhaustible.
Jageman's stock of jewelry was in
sured for $1,000 with G. K. Drew
$1,000 in the Security, of New York,
and 81. 900 in the Springfield, of Mas
saehusetts.
Sellman's stock of sewing machines
was insured for $500 in the H.na, of
Hartford. with Nexsen & Baker.
John ]. Beyels' stock Of boots and
shoes was insured for $1,000 with
Nexsen & Baker, in the Htna. and
$1,000 in the United States, With
DR.. Hallock.
The buildings were old frames, be-
longing to Henry Morgan, aud were
insured for $500 with DIR. Hallook, in
the Republic of Chicago.
Hallock & Ford's stock of drugs
was insured with DIR. Hallock for
$2,80O-s2,O 600 in the Republic. of
Chicago, and $500 in the National, of
Davenport. Iowa.
The loss is not known, but will
probably range between one and two
thousand dollars. After the fire, the
drug stock was removed from the
billiard room to McCormIck's millin-
cry store. A lot Of the goods were
piled in the street In front of the
billiard room, which were guarded by
the police ard private watohmen.
Some suspicious looking chaps were
lodging around as il looking for
something to carry off. but Tom
Royston gave them marching or
ders," which they obeyed quite
promptly.
After the fire was over, Engine No.
2 filed up three public cisterns that
had been emptied while the engines
were at work. This was a good idea,
and the cistarns were left IN as good
condition as previous to the fire. An
immense crowd was attracted to the
scene of the fire, and many persons
left the concert at the Opera House.
We heard regrets expressed that the
buildings were not allowed to burn
down, SO as TO give place to ore
elegant and substantial improvements.