The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-28

~nhe Mf. thornton, OF the "D0lla1 Store" ON
the east side OF Court House Square, was smok.
ing his pipe and talking with . couple Of neigh.
bors who had dropped ia to warn, he thought
he smslled something burning, and proceeded to
investigate. The more he Investigated tho
"loudsr" gsew the smell, the moro the room
filled with smoke. and the greater was tho
certainty OF "something burning" in the build.
ing, and what puzzled him most was, that tho
more all those things were coming 70 pass the
less no could toll where they oame FRONT He
began to DO anxious, and the room began TO be
full OF smoke, and the smell of pine burning
filled his nostris and the smoke thereof inserted
Itself into his eyes, and anon being no longer
able to stand this combination of discoursging
events hs rushed into the street and, As soon -
no could get the smoke with which be was bs.
ing stiaed out Of his lungs, and could wipe
gill OF tears from his eyes and cheeks aad chin,
he yelled "Ffre" Then came tho Undines
aud the Nisgareens, and the people, rag, tag and
bobtail. The iremen loud did bawl," the
bells rang, and excited people rushed hither and
thither, and the smoke gently issued from tho
front door Of the store where still stood tho pro.
prietor, prepared to offer you "your choice Of
everything in it for dollar '" The next build.
ing, twin OF this wooden rookery. 10 Mike
Formulas. Mike was at home, but on this 90.
casion " his smile was no. ohildlike and bland" {"
He didn't smole smile. Although he is famous
for keeping plenty Of liquor, and over two hun.
dred dry young men were at bis door, persuaded
the evonine would be a good time for ,eayrn
drinks, and that hot nhisky would 20 of by tho
barrel, Mike was in no humor for business
He wanted to close up at the very early hour Of
quarterlto in the evening. BE doubtless
feared that keeping an open house on that ocea.
sion would be too erpensi5le."
In the meantime-and a mean time it was,
with cold and snow, water. s!ush, ice, and
surging crowd Of people-the smoke continued
to increase in volume and the water gave out at
the nearest hydrant. Then an engine was run
down TO the hydraulic basin, bat mon could not
be found to wigsle the brakes. Marshal Alden
came around and politely mentioned the matter
20 the by-standers, then he begged assistance.
and finally cussed and swose q, EN-, but all to
no purpose. Various expedients were resorted
to, to get help. grand fishing experiment was
tried A rope was quietly placed across the
street, and lot Of big, stout fellows at eithe,
end started down street, shouting Rope EN- in,
d--n EN-" But the people lodged, or jumped
over, or tumbled down on the stree. and let the
rope pass over their prsstrase forms. Next. the
hose was TUNED upon the crowd and everybody
was we'll -pattered with water, which frcze as
quickly as it iell upon them.
And still the FIRE snouldered away, After
two hours work the fire was reached and extn.
guished. 1t originated in the cellar in some
baskets, boxes and crates fall of straw, and
burned up the north wall, thence inside up to
the shelves. The building is owned by J. o.
Glover, and is damaged about 5000 The loss
to the stock is considerable, mainly by water
We understand the stock was insured.