The Placer herald., 1872-08-24
Destructive Fire.


SWEEP music from the balcony Of Geo. Keehner's
residence, on Wednesday evening last, at 9
O'CLOCK the cry of ''ire, fire. fire." startled the
whoie community. In an instant thereafter n
bright and glaring light burst upon the view
rom the direction of Moses FREEDOM stable and
blacksmith shop, situated upon the southeast cor
her OF Nevada and Turnpike streets, ard it was
discovered that the hay-loft Of Predom's Livery
stable was in flames. The rspidity with which the
flames spread was frightful it seemed impossi-
Die that any OF the animals stabbed therein could
o. saved But with courage and fortitude
Characteristic of our ctizents, rush was made.
and all but six of the horses were saved, together
| with all the buggies, carriages and wagons. Tho
| stable. carriage house, blacksmith and wagon
shop. together with the tools and stock were en-
tirely consumed. The loss is about $1,000, in.
sured for 81, 500.
| The flames leaped across the Turnpike to the
| residence of Mr.. John Worsley, on the opposite
| corner consuming the entire building and con-
| tents. Mr. Worsley loss will amonnt to So 500,
| insured for 5000
1t seemed at one time impossible to check the
| progress of the destroying element Completely
surrounded and amid a circle OF frame buildings
without a fire engine, not even buckets or axes
provided for such an emergency, it is incredible
that buildings situated from twenty to forty feet
distant could have been saved by human hand
with the inadequate means at their command
Never has it been experience to witness
such heroic efforts, power of endurance and
complete organization spring from crowd Of
men thrown together under an excitement.
Mr.. Freedoms residence upon the south of
the stable underwent scorching ord aal, but was
saved by the superhuman efforts Of the few men
who worked at that part of the fire.
Upon the house north of the origin of the fire,
stood one brave heart, perfect monumen,
of Immortality, amid smoke fire and heat that
seemed every moment would sweep him and the
bull ling on the road to destruction. He was
nobly supported by few brave men who did
their duty nobly. To these belongs the credit of
saving, not alone this house. but the whole
Eastern portion OF the town.
The hardest work and severest battle however.
was fought in. on and about the HERALD printing
office, situated South and but twenty-five feet
from Worsley building that was burned to the
oAo"AAA' All iol'e VI StNlu tulS OllCc seemed
past; in nm instant, however, double line of
men with buckets was formed; the utmost
unanimity and concert of action was observed
water was passed with such rapidity that deGes
al conception; while others cleared the Office
of all the material, another band of noble, whole
souled boys stood amidst the burning, scorchine
heat, facing the fire and disputng every inch
Of ground with the fire fiend
1t would be useless to mention who were the
most earnest, energetic and daring in combating
against this messenger of destruction and death,
bat all who handled bucket or in any way made
an effort to defeat this monster and prevent the
destruction of property have the thanks of the
HERALD and the praise of an appreciative comm
nifty. The HERALD was insured for $500
The losses are about 81 600
Upon the west the fire threatened the destruc-
ton of Robt. Gordon large barn, a two story
building and an cid chicken coop being the cen
Meeting link. To save the chicken coop was to
save tie entire western portion of the town. bui
to do this required no small effort, with but two
buckets to carry Water with, and under a terrific
heat Which dried up the water almost as fast as
it was thrown on, and again ignited the building
human endurance was fast giving way when the
burning stable fell in, relieving the tolers from
the heat, and this too was safe
1t was without exception, forthe extent Of the
conflagration and the means at hand to combat
Herewith, the greatest victory over fire we have
ever witnessed. All did noby and well.
Many are sufferers. Mr.. J. r. Willis lost his
valuable and well known horse Frank; Judge
a1r 1o.t
stable.
Fortunately no accidents are to be recorded,
and no one was seriously injured; few only,
being so unfortunate as to have their hands and
faces scorched. How the fire originated is not
faly known, but the prevailing opinion is that it
was the work of an incendiary We will pit the
Auburnites against the world to fight fire.
PILLS.