The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-29
Several Blocks Completely
Wrecked.
RAPID SPREAD OF THE FIRE.
A Lack Of Water, Hose and
Machinery.
TIE TOTAL LOSS UPWARDS or $4,000.

i"o HoVhy N""sp Why VI NiOuCCStcT uuS dBulu
been visited by destructive fire, which has taken
from her a portion OF whole business square In
the very heart of that enterprisng place. The
fire was discovered about hali-uast twelve O'Clock
this morning, In the wooden building owned by N.
X. Webster, on Front street, near the corner OF
Hancock. Front street is the main business street
OF the city. and runs nearly east and west. near
the water side. The buildings are all of compare
lively recent erection, the same territory having
been burned over 10y the great ire there
about ten years ago The greater part OF
them are OF wood, three stories In height,
with Mansard roof although some of them are
OF brick. The fire was under good Roadway when
discovered and spread to the east ward and west
ward with great rapidity. The alarm speedily
called the Fire Department OF the city, which Is
considered an excellent one. with two steamers
from Bay View and from other points. The build
ing in which the fire originated was Of wood and
was part of continuous block or stores, all
OF the same material, forming the Front street
side OF the square, and extending from Han
cock street to Centre street, as follows Union
block, owned By John S. Tappan and the estate Of
Captain Solomon II. Davis, the block OF Nathaniel
II. Webster and the block OF Charles Boynton.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The fire broke out In the upper portion OF Web
ster's block and smoke was smet some time be-
fore the flames burst out. At the corner OF Centre
street was the fine brick building OF Proctor
Brothers, publishers OF the Cape Ann Aduertsser,
which stayed the fire in that direction. The upper
stories OF the building occupied for their pub
fishing establishment and in the spacious store on
the ground floor they carried on large book and
stationery business. The flames got so complete q
Roadway at the outset that the wooden structures
added only fuel to them, and their work was steady
b,t.l.
making their destruction complete. The flames en-
tered the upper stories of the Proctor building and
pretty thoroughly burned the interior; but the
thorough drenching.
THE WOODEN BLOCK DESTROYED
was occupied for stores, and a variety Of business
was carried on there. Among the occupants were
Fl. A. Harmon, druggist; s. Ii. Lane jewelry; s. p
Emanuel 4 Co., fancy goods G. p. Barrett, cloth
ing Alexander Patteio. dry goods; II. G. Lawrence
clothing; f. r. Ring Son, boots and shoes; John
S. Tappan, clOthier. The stock OF Messrs Pattello
Lawrence, Ring and Tappan were largely saved,
and portion OF the others were rescued
from the names. Mr.. Emanuel lost nearly all
his stock and the Proctor Brothers lost the greater
portion OF theirs. The destruction by water
in the latter case, was more than
by fire. Tue fire ragged until nearly five O'Clock
Wien ~ was COuplctcn SuOuucu, duu no danger
was to be apprehended from its further spread. A
steamer was present from Rockport and did excel
lent service. and the citizens generally aided the
fremen in their valiant work. The wind was for
tunatey not violent or the city might again have
been the victim OF an extensive fire, as many OF
the surrounding buildings are OF wood and filed
with combustible material. Two families had dwell
lngs in the upper portion OF the buildings de-
strOyed.
THE PROBABLE LOSS.
1t is impossible TO get at an accurate estimate OF
the loss at the present writing, but IL is probable
that the amount will reach $4,000, which, OF
course, Will be lar gey relieved by insurance.
AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF WATER.
Considerable alarm was !elt in Boston, especially
among those financially interested at the Cape,
when report this forenoon announced that the
fire had broken out anew. The inadequate supply
of water, many thought, would give the fire full
spread over the town, and, as a gentleman from
Gloucester expressed himself this noon, "Had the
fire happened on Sunday night there would not
have been vestge left OF the principal part OF the
city, As 1t was water had to be brought long dis
tances and 1t required the fire apparatus OF the
towns round about and on the line OF the railroad
for miles to keep the cOnGagration within the
bounds it now is. There was new breaking out
of the fire, TOR II was burning steadily from its
commencement till little past FIVE O'Clock in the
morning.
SEEING THE PROCTOR BUILDING.
Still there was alarm when 1t turned back III its
course, ana when it Unexpectedly seized the fine
brick and stone building OF the Cape Ann AdCe'-
ttser; suddenly did it enter and take control OF
this building the best in town, valued at s25,OoO
that the publishers had barely time to save their
lists and books The forms even, ready for this
,c tccu pnuJd ha and
editorials, type, presses and the whole establish
ment. This was the only brick building, the
other three principal buildings on Front street.
completing the block between Centre and Han.
cock being wood, and valued at about ten thousand
dollars each. The heat was OF course very great
from these structures, and in spite OF efforts Of
the citizens the buildings on the opposite side OF
the street were badly scorched.
WHERE THE FIRE WAS STARTED.
From what cause the lire originated cannot be
told at this writing. 1t is known to have COM
menced In an unused closet over Lanes jeweIry
store and connected with hall used Tor dances
and entertainments. What gave IL such strong
and sudden start was the well waxed moor OF TINS
THE PRINCIPAL SUFFERERS.
The greatest losers are the Proctor Brothers, but
their loss cannot be exactly ascertained at this
moment. They had some insurance, but not nearly
enough to cover the amount burned. The apothe-
cary shop, in Dr. Burgenrep's block, had a stock
valued at some $1,000, which was completely de-
was worth about $1,000. the insurance on which
will probably cover all that was injured.
Most OF sne a g0oas viii the
j. S. Tappan owned the portion OF the block he &C.
cupied, which, with the stock, was partially ln-
sured as most or the goods were removed the
damage was not great. The stock oil Charles I.
Barrett, In Babson's block, was partly saved; all
insured. d. Ii. Lanes jewelry. watches and fancy
goods, in all to the value OF $1,000, were removed,
with some loss. A. {. Lawrence saved his stock in
DR.. Burgengren's block. +. =. Ring, in Babson's
block saved all his boot and shoe stock. Every
firm on the street front saved their books. DR..
smith. physlci living up stairs In Babson's
block lost verythng he owned In the building.
The people are very grateful to the fremen and
citizens who came from neighborIng places TO their
rescue. Had IL not been Tor their timely aid the
whole city would nave been burned Most OF these
firms burned out In the great fire OF 1864, and
Messrs Pato an Barrett have been burned out
three times within ten years. They saved portion
OF their stock, and It Is dficult to ascertain the
extent OF their loss at present.
PARTIAL LIST or RISKS.
The following Is partial list OF the risks
Etna. ...............s $3.50 Quincy Mutual 5000
Home .............. $500 Mechanics and rrad's 100
Continental. $500 Merchants OF Boston ls0O