The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-04-09
EDITOR.
FIRE AT OIL CITY.


whole block burned, except one small
building next the railroad. The first
alarm was given by the engineer Of In
Miss machine shop blowing his engine
whistle long and loud. This attracted
the attention of Officers Fry and
Ward, who were at the Mayors Office
preparing to go "of beat"
They started the bells and the bells
the engines. Even as soon as this the
fire was in both stories of the building
and coming from the roof Mr.. Hicks
and young man named Ford were
asleep in room over the store, un-
conscious of the flames until their
room was burst opened by a collored
man named Williams the room was
already in flames, and they escaped
by jumping from the back window
with part of their clothes in their
arms.
No. 4 steamer being nearest and
having team was first on hand and
was stationed at the reservoir, head Of
Centre street. No. was get out and
took suction from the Creek, back of
the Exchange Hotel. No. 5 steamer
came across the bridge after some de-
lay to secure two teams TO haul her
through the mud, and "set in" at the
Creek, foot of Sycamore street. All
the machinery worked admirably and
if they had had good hose would have
stopped the fire when first discovered !;
repeated breakage and repeated de-
lay gave the fire an occasional fresh
start ahead.
The flames spread eastward to
Downer's wholesale liquor store and
clothing store, and was finally, stop
ped at the last building at the corner,
occupied by Fisher Brothers, and 9TH
ers. Westward it communicated to
> Stratton's saloon, Stillwell's grocery
and thence to the old "Cornen &
Beers" block, four stores-making
nine stores burned.
The buildings were all wood and
rather slightly constructed, and so
burned rapidly. They were all down
ia little over an hour, Notwithstanding
the copious wettings bestowed by three
powerful steamers.
The fireman worked under very
disagreeable circumstances.
The street was about a foot deep in
mud to start with and the flooding
they got from the pipes and the fire..
quent bursting hose made a fearful
mess OF it. Through these prolonged
and fathomless mortar beds the hose
was laid and the handling of them
and running and working in this
slough put the men in a condition
that was as ludicious to see, as it was
annoying to experience. Sooth to say,
the boys didn't hold back, but went
into the work as energetically as at
any pleasanter time.
Valuable service WAS rendered by
the "Rtd Bird Hook and Ladder
Company" from the South Side, in
razirg the burning buildings. The
company was vigorous and well officer
ed.
The Fire Police were also out early
and for the first time did valuable ser.
vice. They saved much goods from
mysterious disappearance"
The first two stores in the "Corner
& Beers" block were unoccupied
The corner, next TO Elm street, had
been rented and partially fitted ur
Tor occupancy by the Oil City Saving,
Bank, while their new building wai
constructed their loss is $50.
j. McCollum, "Cornen & Beers
blcck, loss $4,000; insured for So,
600.
Spangler & Settle, meat market in
McCollum's building, stock and fix,
lures $500 no insurance.
James White, restaurant. on stock
and fixtures s2,500; insured for ST.,
600, On houshold goods, second floor
$500 no insurance.
DR.. Egbert and ]. D. Hancock law
yer, had offices in McColum's build.
ing: the loss of the former is $50, Of
the latter $3.50; no insurance.
Next to the McCollom building
was D. G. Stillwell's grocery and resi-
dence above, Loss on stock $4,000
insured $3.50. On household goods
5000; no insurance
j. R. Stratton, liquors loss 81 900
no insurance.
The buildings in which these two
stores were belong to Stillwell anC
William Perry loss on same, $4,000
Ensured $1,000.
Stillwell also owned the next build
ing, where the fire started, on whicl
his loss is 81 900; insured $500.
f. ID. Hicks, loss on stock Of liq
uors, $4,000; insured $4,000. OF
clothing, furniture, ETC., 5000; no in
suraDce.
J. w. Downer, stock of liquors AM