Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-08-28
Destructive Fire in Eaton---odd Eel
lows Building Destroyed---Assis-
lance from Richmond, 1nd.--Loss
about $l7,ooo--Nearly Covered by


lance from Richmond, Ind.--Loss
about $l7,ooo---Nearly Covered by
Insurance.
About twenty minutes past3 o'clock
on Sunday morning last, the cry of
fire" aroused the citizens of Eaton
from their quiet slumbers. The bril-
liant light and cracking flames soon
directed them to the north end of the
Odd Fellows building, where was
located the frame Tin shop, of w. p.
McCabe. MI. McC. was building an
addition on the north side and adjoin-
ing his shop, which he intended as a
residence, and was almost finished.
On the second story of this new struc-
ture, among the dry shavings and
loose lumber, it was thai the person
applied the incendiaries torch, and
made sure of his develish work. A
few feet north of this frame build
inc. stood the large brick Livery Sta
BILE of John T. Deem. On the east
and adjoining the Odd Fellows build
ing, is the Doty House. The Odd
Fellows building was occupied as
follows: The south west corner by
the Post Office; in the rear of this
was a Cigar shop and two Harness
shops; the east side was the First
National Bank. The second story
contained six rooms and a hall, the
former were occupied by the Doty
IIou sc, and the latter by u neigh
borstoE the REGISTER, as their office.
The third story contained two Halls.
occupied by the Odd Fellows and
Red Men.
In q very short time after the alarm
was given, our Steam Engine was on
the ground and at work, and had per-
feet control of the fire when the water
gave out. Before the Engine could
be changed 10 another public Cistern
the fire hid gained considerable head
way, and communicated to the ave
of the Odd Fellows building. AS
soon as water could be had it was
brought to bear against the fiery ele-
nients and u boys were doing good
work, and would have confined it to
the McCabe structure, had the water
not again given out. Not having
sufficient Hose to reach to the Creek,
and the public Cisterns and wells be-
ing exhaused our condition was alarm
iig, when it was suggested to the
Mayor to telegraph to Richmond,
Ind, for assistance. In less than an
hour n Richmond Steam Engine, fully
equipped and manned by experienced
men was on the ground and went in
to the work with energy and skill.
They seemed to comprehend the stu
alton at once, and the Eaton Engine
was placed at the Greek pumping and
filling the Cistern in front of the
Court House, from which the Rich
mond Engine and hose conveyed it
t o the fire. Although the Odd Fell
lows building by this time was
ly destroyed, the Doty House was in
imminent danger, and we believe
would have been lost if it had not
been for the skill and management of
the Rich nond Fire department, not
withstanding the commendable exer-
tions of the citizens through the buck
ct line which they formed.
In this connection, and in behalf of
the citizens of Eaton, we desire to eX-
tend thanks to the Richmond Fire
Department, for their very prompt
assistance, energetic work and gentle
manly department displayed on the
occasion. With them their was no
bluster, d~omineering, or the like, but
in the language of their Chief, when
they came on the ground, who re-
marked, 1--WE came here to work and
that to the best advantage" and they
did so to the admiration of all our
citizens. They came in peace and left
us as gentlemen, and we trust they
appreciated the kind treatment dur
ing their stay. For this comfy Eaton
is under many obligations to the Fire
Department of Richmond, and we feel
sure will, should future occasion re-
quire it, fully reciprocate the kind
n6SS 0AlcLttGo ~ IfOE ClIlZCHS.
The loss on the Odd Fellows build
ding is estimated between $4,000 and
$1,000, with insurance as follows: In
Firemens' of Dayton, $1,000; Miami
Valley, $500; Farmers Merchants
and Manufacturers of Hamilton,
$500; German, of Erie, Pa, $500.
Doty House, loss about $500. In
sured in Miami Valley, $500; Cooper
of Dayton, $25Oo f. NJ. & M. of Ham
ilton, $500.
The Register Office had an insur-
ance of $4,000, in the Home of New
York, which will hardly compensate
them in their loss. Their material
was all removed excepting their Pow