Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-07-12
nd! 81 'a.s.Y ssrraarrr.
ConHagratioS at .OsCOnher's Saddiery -.
- Establishments me- 60,
uasty RcinoVaI-Goods Daniaged-Inci.
dents and Accidents.

Establishments Wv Or,
uasty ReiiovaI-Cioods Damaged
dents and Accidents.
Yesterday morning about eleven o'clock the
alarm of fire was given and at once all was ex-
element The crowd rushed down Gay street,
where dense volumes of smoke were seen issu-
ing from the saddlery establishment of T.
OCOnner a Co., which indicated the speedy
demolition of that building and threatening the
entire block
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The efficiency of the fire department and the
management of the chief DR.. j. NJ Boyd and
the ndefatigable cxcrtions ofthe fremen, were
subjects of remark by all. The Colorcd Fire
Company, Niagara No. b. VIM. Porter, fore
man, was first ut the scene Of action and went to
work with vim, which showed whatthcy could
do if they had first class engine.
Fountain Company, No. 2 VIM. Nelson
foreman, soon made their appearance, and at
once seconded the efforts of the first TO stay the
devouring element.
And last, though not least the steam engine
with the boys of the gallant old Fountain No.
], Mr.. VIM. Coffman, foreman, passed at gal
Top, and soon the hose were in position and
trained on the burning building, delugng the
basement and first floor in manner that threat
ened TO drown the flames in the steady and rap
i'd stream. IL was not until the gratngs in
front had been removed and n hole cut in the
fremen could get in n position TO render their
labor effectual, but after half an hours steady
work the avalanches of water, poured in the
heart of the fire, began TO tell, and the lessen
ing volumns of smoke told the anxious spccta-
tors that the flames were under control. But
their efforts were not relaxed until they
were completely successful and the last spark
was eXtinguished, and the owners of the pro-
perry had commenced getting their goods back
in their stores, from which they had been so
hastily removed.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The fire originated in the basement of Major
O Corners establishment, and was discovered
by Mr.. Stephen Todd, the book-keeper, a little
before eleven o clock, who smelt the fire in the
cellar, and seeing the smoke issuing through
the crevices in the floor, snatched up his books
hurriedly and rushed out giving the alarm
There was n large quantity of straw used for
packing purposes, boxes and miscellaneous odds
and ends. The fremen who were on the
ground from first to last, of the opinion that
It first broke out at the northern side of the
basement near the centre, and had been burn
ing for some time, as heavy articles in that vi
vinity were entirely consumed, and the flames
had communicated to large quantity of coal
| at the front which required some time to ex-
| tinguish
The cause of the fire is not definitely known,
| however, some ascribing it to spontaneous com
| bustion, and others to carelessness on the part
| of some unknown person. None of the work
| men had been in the basement during the
| morning, and as no work was dene there, the
| former is doubtless the correct supposition.
| Messrs. Herman Schenk, Youngblood and
| Haskins, of Fountain No. j. deserve special
mention for their gallant daring. They carried
| their hose into the cellar by the rear entrance
| and standing half leg deep in the hot water, de-
| luged the place thoroughly. 1t is said that
| there was an open cistern in the cellar, which
| could not be see on account of the thick smoke
| however they fortunately escaped it, 1t was
here that the more ettectual work was done, as
the fire was moro accessible from this quarter.
| All the fire Companies deserve great credit for
| noble work done, also numerous other persons
| who worked Independently.
| LOSSES.
| The greater part of the damage sustained wa.
| caused by removal of goods and the water from
| the engines, Mcssrs O Conner & Co., estimate
| their loss mt 5000, with an insurance of only
| So, 800
Il. N. McEwen & Co., dealers in dry goods,
removed their stock which resulted in consider
able loss bat all is covered by insurance.
Cooper billiard saloon sustained loss OF
about $500. The billiard tables were badly in
jured. legs broken off, &c
j. III. Valley, tobacconist had all his stock
| removed but his goods are in such u condition
that it is impossible to estimate the loss. lie
| was insured.
| The Press aud Herald office, situated in the
| second and third stories ofthe block in which
the fire originated, sustained damage of abou,
| $500. All insured.
The Mechanics Association lost some chairs
| and books.
| Tho Law office of Messrs Nelson ~ Vance
| sustained slight damage. Messrs. Tadlock &
| Cornick had slight loss; also Martin Il Bro,
Timers, were slightly damaged.
ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS.
We regret to state that several persons were injured
while engaged in saving the rnsih property from
destruction Edward Craig, the pressman at the Her.
att Office, highly respectable eolored man. wheIcar
rying safe down stairs by the person assisting him
Stumbling was thrown down. and the safe falling on
his stomach and bowels inflicted severe il fatal in
| juries.
MIR. Woigel, Il carpenter. received a deep cut hi,
nose. though not seriously hurt.
Bill DAVIS. the cook at the Billiard Saloon, had hi
leg hurt but IN fifteen minutes after the fire sub
dued announced dinner.
| Several other persons slightly injured but MOI
sufficient to mention in detail.
1t was half hour after the alarm given before
the steam engine got to work, according to the nfOr
nation of gentleman who timed it, and had il MOI
been for the zeal of the remen in directing the hose
| would have allowed too great a start. This narrow
escape should be strong argument in favor of wate
| works. .I
| Serious StRbbing ARRAY.
\ serious affair took place eight miles from
Sevierville, at the residence Of Mr.. Bogart
ST., on Wednesday morning last between
Campbell Duggan, sonof Col. Wilson Dug
gan, and Lcmucl Bogart in which the latte