The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-06-18
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN RIDewAY.
The Fire the work Of an Incendiary.


Chas. Holes, at the corner of Broad and
Main streets, Immediately west ofthe Hyde
House the fire srpead to the next, an un-
finished building belonging to Mr.
George walker, both buildings were
rapidly consumed, and it was with great
exertion that the Hyde House was saved
From the Holes building the fire commu-
nicated to the large store building Of Powell
u Kline and from there to the dwelling
house of r. V. Kline those four buildings
were entirely consumed. By the
utmost care and exertion on the part of the
citizens, the ravages of the flames
were stopped at the bank building of
Souther Willis Il Souther. After it ap-
peared certain that the dwelling house of
Mr.. Kline nust be consumed, ladders were
procured and carpets put upon the bank
building, line of men and women was
formed to the mill race and by keeping
the building constantly wet and, the carpets
saturated, the building was saved and the
fire checked. 1t appeared for some time
that no human aid could save itbut change
in the wind aided wonderfully and the
building is not injured
This is the first fire Of any extent that ever
occurred in this place, and it has been very
severe. The carpenters working upon the
buildings of Holes and Walker lost all their
tools, and the loss is very hard upon them.
These sufferers are, 7. A Neil, A. G..
Cuthbert, j. A. Harm and j. Il. Cummings.
Powell & Kline, who are the most exten.
sive merchants in the place, had stock of
goods valued at $4,000; the fire spread
so rapidly that no goods of any great
amount could be got out of the building,
except from the dry goods part in the front
of the store. Their Boot & Shoe and
Clothing department up stairs could not
be reached and everything there was con-
sumed The front part of the building up
stairs was occupied by Mr.. J. NJ. Heard
for Saddlers and Harness Shop. His
loss is estimated at about two $1,000, not
thing saved, not even his books and pa
pers. Mr.. Kime's dwelling house was new,
built last summer the family moved into
it last winter. 1t was first class dwelling |
house, and Mr.. Kline had fitted it up with
ali the comforts and conveniences fora &C. |
sirable residence and pleasant home. The |
building was worth from $4,000 to $4,000;
a part of his furniture was saved in dam
aged condition. lie is Insured on his house
aud furniture $1,000; Powell 4 Kline are
insured upon their store building 1000
The other sufferers have no insurance and
all are hard working industrious tn cchan-
les, some of them with families entirely de-
pendant upon them for their daily bread
and their loss of all their tools makes
their lot a hard one. Mr.. Hcord
was doing very successful business which
is stopped by the loss af all his tools, stock
and ready made work which he had on
hand. We understand that he proposes
to put up temporary building aud CON-
mence business again as soon as possible.
Mr.. kime's loss is the most severe of
any other sufferer. He is turned out
,f house, home and business and with the
lire of Wednesday morning goes his hard
and honest earnings for the five past years.
He has the warmest, deepest sympathy of
.he whole community The firm Of Powell
4 Kline have been doing most thriving
md successful business since they enlarged
heir store. and by integrity, honesty and
good faith toward every one, had won the
entire confidence Of the community. They
propose, We are informed to start again as
oon as possible, and we sincerely hope
hat more than their former success will
'ttend them. The origin of the fire at
his time is not known. Whether it was
by maace or not we cannot say
t it was, the law provides no sufficient pen '
lily for the offence, and if the whole pen
lty provided by the law is inflicted the Of S
ender then goes lnwhipped of justice.
me act prompted by malace towards any
ne is heartless, cruel, desperate thing; by :
ueh an act whole community suffers, and
he poorest and least able to bear it, are
lways in such cases, the greatest sufferers. d
CARD. q
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