The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-12-05
FIRE.
The Block on the Northeast corner
OF the Square Destroyed.
Loss about $4,000.

About one o'clock on Wednesday
morning, the cry of fire was raised on
our streets, and by the time those of our
citizens living in the immediate vicinity
of the conaagration had reached the
scene, the long roof of the building on
the northeast side,of the square was en-
veloped in flames, and the contents Of
the rooms were being rapidly destroyed.
Such headway had the flames made that
by the time even a few of our citizens
got upon the ground, it was impossible
to enter the more extensive business
rooms of the block for the purpose of
removing the stock, and all that could
be done was to exert every effort to con-
fine the fire to the block in which it had
originated For time this seemed to
be hopeless work,-as the wind was
blowing briskly 10 the eastward, and in
the direction of some greatly exposed
buildings. Hard work was required to
prevent the fire from communicating
with Gallagher's building; and this be-
ing the "key" to the whole situation,
our citizens labored with admirable sue
cess to stop the progress of the flames at
that point Had the fire got under
headway in that building, it is likely
that all that part of Somerset lying east
of the square would be in ashes to-day.
From the Drug store building, the
flames spread rapidly into. the large
frame building on the north, and
adjoining the three story brick resi-
idence of David NJ. Mathews. From
this building the flames soon reached
the roof of Mr.. Mathews residence, and
that too would have soon been DESTROYED
but for the indomitable energy of that
portion of the volunteer fire brigade
who held this part of the field. Long
ladders were placed against the building,
and number of daring men soon took
position upon the roof and ladders, and
gave the ''devouring element" the "best
licks they had in the shop" And their
efforts were crowned with success. Mr..
Mathews residence was saved, and the
fire was confined to the block in which
it had broken out. This block was to-
tally destroyed, entailing losses ito the
amount of about $4,000.
This block was owned by D. NJ.
Mathews, DIR. c. j. skinner, and DR.. Z.
R. Magruder, and was valued at some
thing like So 900. Mathews & Skinner
had insurance in the Knox Mutual to the
amount of $500; Dr. Magruder had in
surance to the amount of 81 ,500-500 in
the Home of Columbus, and 81 900 In
the Knox Mutual. The block occupied
by the following firms:
Skinner 4 Brother, Druggist, stock
destroyed valued at $4,000, insurance
81 600; NJ, Bowman, Grocer, stock des-
troved valued at $500, no insurance;
J. w. Graves, Boot & Shoe Dealer,
stock saved; Mrs. Burns, Milliner, stock
destroyed valued at $500, no insurance;
H. A. Schwartz, Photographer, stock de-
stoyed valued at 1000, no insurance
Snow Fork Coal & Mining Company,
loss in books, maps, plats, stationery.
etc, valued at $500, no insurance. T.
Spencer Stillman, notary, &c, loss in
books, stationery, &c, about $500 no in
surance; George Price, Justice of the
Peace, H. P Lentz, Real Estate and In
surance Agent, n. L. Drummer, Boot and
Shoe maker-effects removed without
damage.
There are various opinions about the
origin of the fire. Those who were first
on the grounds, say that the fire origina-
ted in the office of the Snow Fork Coal 4
Mining Company.