The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1872-12-11
BIG FIRE IN TlONESTAti
The Holmes House Totally Des-
trOyedl
LOSS CO, 900 TO 60, ,O0e!
NO INsURANCE!

years, II disastrous fire visited our
town. About 1890 p. M, the Holmcs
House was discovered to be on fire in
the third story, but after the alarm
had been given and a few had hastened
to the place, the Gre was found to be
under such headwav, that with the ia.
ciIlties at hand it was useless to tly to
stop it, and in the course Of two hours
the Holmes House was a mass Of
smouldering ruins.
Most ofihe furniture was removed,
but large quantities Of it were broken
up by few individuals, who should
hereafter be locked up during the oc-
currence Of aoy future fires. Selling
glassware, chairs, stands, bedsteads,
and any furniture they could li1, they
would plunge them out of the second
story windows to the boardwalk be-
Meath, IN such manner as to invaria-
bly, demnlish the article thrown.
The sheds in the rear Of the house
were torn down, and carpets saturated
with water hung over the end of the
barn next the house. aud by these pre-
cautions the barn, a very extensive one
filed with hay, was saved
The chief efforts now were spent in
saving the store building ocrupied by
Hilbronner & Co. The goods were all
removed, a ladder procured and put
up to large window on the north side
Of the building, men put upon the roof
and carpets spread over the roof next
the burning hotel. Two lines were
formed from the roof to the river one
passing water up to the roof, and the
other the buckets back to the river to
be filled. This was kept up for over
an hour, and this. with the help rem
uered on the south side of the building
by men carrying water from the river
and keeping both the burning struc.
ture and the store on that side satu.
rated, was the means Of saving the
building.
Mr.. Mabie's loss is from $4,000 to
$4,000, On which there was no iDsur-
ance, his policy having expired two or
three months ago.
The fire was supposed to have caught
in the ballroom, on third story, from
the stuiiing in pipe hole in the chin.
ney, which stutiug iguited from sparks
coming up from the stove.
IlilOronner IL Co.. loss will be con.
siderable, from tie fact that quantities
of their goods were damaged by water
and by being tramped on by men anl
horses. II Is also reported that some
SO were taken from the money draw
er during the excitement, but as we
hear it is pretty well known who the
party is who took it, the money will
Ot ISCONtTtu.
There were masses of men who stood
coolly around during the pr.gress of
the fire and never offered their assist
ance in any way, although repeatedly
requested and urged to do SO. Several
men stood in the water line from its
formation until il was deemed no long,
er necessary; about an hour and half, |
with no protection for their hands, and
the water which was spilled upon them
freezing to ice. We have no doubt
but many Of those thus doienceless
have this morning frozen fingers as
mementoeS Of the fire; and we know |
that che majority Of them accumulated /
colds which will last thern at least this /
winter.
Being rather used up this morning, |
from trying to do our duty during the |
fire, we cannot command language |
strolg enough to denounce those who
indiiie rently gazed on the strong efo. is
of others, and did not feel called upon
to stretch forth helping hand, but we
leave them to the contempt of all hon
est men.
Mr.. Mabie and family have the most
genuine sympathy Of the entire COM
We hope he may recover
from his loss sufficient to erect another
building on the site Of the old one, and
in time be enabled TO make good the
losses he has just sustained
Now is the proper time for the agi.
lation fproper protection against the
fiery element We callen attention to
This matter something over year ago,
lrging upon our citizens the necessity
If securing some apparatus to save
from fire, should any occur.
Nothing was done about il and wa