Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-28
The Montreal Evening Telegraph gives

The Montreal Evening Telegraph gives
a vivid description of the great fire which
recently ravaged that city. 1t was one OF
the most terrific ever known there and the
amount of property destroyed was I'M
mense. The Telegraph says:
! For miles and miles around the sky gieam-
ed with e rudy light, and almost before the
| bells had done ringing eager crowds were
hurryipg towards the scene of destruction.
Arrived at St. Gabriels Locks the saving and
planinp mills of Messrs. Tucker & Son and
MIR. Ostell were found to be wrapped IN
flames, which rapidly communicated to piles
of lumber on each side and in the rear Of
these premises. A strong breeze, blowing
from tire northeast. rapidly carried the flames
through the large lumber yards of both the
above mentioned establishments and contrib
uted, in a measure, to the safety of Mococks
edge tool factory, and sugar refinery OF John
Redpath & Son, both of which establishments
were in extreme danger. The flames spread
through the dry pine lumber with amazing
rapidity and soon reached ST. Patrick's street.
Here the wind apparently increasing, the
flames leaped as if impelled by evil spirits,
fully hundred feet in the air, and soon
reached the western side of the street. A
store first fell prey to the devOuring ele-
ment, soon followed by more lumber and
couple Of dwelling houses. At this point the
scene was inexpressingly grand. tract Of
ground nearly ten acres in extent was one
mass of burning lumber and houses, immense
masses of flame were whirled ap into the air
and bits of burning wood and felt sailed about
like rockets. Overhead the sky was hidden
by thick, dark cloud of smoke, underneath
which myriads of many colored sparks rushed
hither and thither, much resembling storm
of meteors. No efforts of the men of the fire
brigade seemed to have the slightest effect
They stood their ground most firmly in st.
Patrick street Gas indeed they did wherever
they were required playing on the fences on
the left and the buildings on the right until
they we're forced to go away or be roasted
alive, and they had no sooner taken their de-
parture than the very roadway itself was one
mass of flame. Still following Southwestern
ly course, the fire swept across Manufacturer
lane and street, taking all the dwellings and
lumber in the way, and following the immense
piles of boards soon crossed into Shearer's
lumber yard, at the corner of Seigneur and
Richmond streets, and also attacked the
houses on the upper side of Seigneur street.
| In St. Patrick's, Manufacturer and Rich
mond streets the road sides were lined with
| furniture, doors, window sashes and all man.
ner of goods, and crowds of men and women
were hurrrying eagerly to and fro carrying
out some household god or other One mar
carried little child from a house which was
apparently in danger, and as he passed some
! one thrust a bank note in his hand Return
ing at a late hour from the confagration the
scene from the bridge opposite Ogiivie's mil
was indescrbably grand; as far as the eye
could reach in the direction taken by the fire
there was nothing to be seen but reddish col
ored flame and few blackencd remnants.