Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-03-27
Disastrous Conaagration.
Seven Business Houses liz Ruins :!
4 Night Of Sorrow aud Desc
latiOn.
LOSS. $4,000.

Our City has been again called upon
to pay tribute in to the treasury of fire.
About one clock on Sunday morning
our citizens were aroused by the start
ling cry Of FIRE! FIRE +! while the
illumination Of the heavens attested
The terrible truth, that we must again
pass the ordeal Of fame.
| In less than quarter OF an hour
from the time the cry was first given,
the streets were full of people, and in
the vicinity Of the burning blocks it
was sea Of humanity unorganized, yet
willing to aid in any capacity to stay
the tide of destruction. The fire orig
mated in the Star Saloon adjoining the
Drug Store Of II. B. Philleo & Co.,
from what cause it cannot be ascertain
ed, though runner has it that during
row about midnight, the stove was cap
sized, and Its contents scattered upon
the floor How much of truth there
is in the rumor we do not attempt to
say The flames were first seen shoot
ing from the saloon, and in a very
few minutes it WIS wrapped in shroud
of flame. Hardly any time elapsed
before the Drag Store of H. B. Philleo
& Co. was all ablaze, the fire licking
up its infammabe contents as though
they were SO much finder. The heat
became terrible from the consuming Of
Oils, Turpentine, Pitch, and Resin,
aud before it seemed to hardly have
kindled, the flames had extended to the
Jewelry Store Of ~ f. Emmon's
whose family resided in the rear Of the
building Mr.. Emmon's family barely
escaped with their lives, fleeing with
no covering saving such bedding as
they could throw about them The
little ones had been sick, and fron long
watching, all were fatigued, and consc-
quently were sleeping sounaly. The
flames kept Gu their march of destruc-
ton, tapping up the Harness shop of
Stowen & Lord, and an unoccup;ed
building adjoining, when they laid hold
upon the large Rablin Hail. underneath
which was Mr. L. B. Warmers heavy
Hardware and Stove Store. Here the
flames were stayed in their march in
this direction, by the almost supcrhu-
man exertion of our citizens who had
suspended carpets and blankets from
the store of Me5srs. Spaford & Comp
ton, and adjoining buildings. saturated
with water passed from the river through
an organized line of citizens extending
thither. When the fire first broke out,
heavy wind was bearing down upon
oar city from the west, which increas-
ed to a gale; SO terrible vas its power,
that the flames leapel across the street
kinaiing almost instantly the front Of
the store Of VIM. S. Miller, tunnclling
it, and eating up its contents Of dry
goods and wares before single article
could be removed. Mr.. Miller sue
ceeded IN removing few yaluablcs
from his safe, but his return WAS cut
off, and his safe left open to the mercy
of the fire The building of \. Bogus
lausky was saved, though wreck.
The Reporter Office was near being con-
sumel, but was saved, as were also the
dwelling and out-buildinrs belonging
to Nicholas Wrinkle, and Arpin's build
ings south of Mr.. Miller's store. SO
rapid was the work Of destruction that
hardly = store was opened. The Drug
Store of H. b. Philleo & Co was left
untouched, all communication being
cut off, as was also the case with the
! ,Jewelry Store of Mr.. Emmons, and
the Harness shop Of Stowell & Lord.
L. B. Warner succeeded in saving a
large share Of his stock in damaged
condition. Mr.. Miller's stock was to-
tally consumed. The Clerk Of the
! Courts desk with all its papers was
consumed. The Masonic Hall with all
its contents. excepting the jewels and a
portion Of the records. 10 among the
losses Of the terrible night. The gale
seemed to increase rather than wane,
sending flakes Of fire, and missiles OF
flame all over the city, ignltlng the
/ woods and bushes in the suburbs and, in
sew cral instances threatening dwellings
and out buildings We give the names
of losers in this fearful ordeal of fire
John Rablin, Buildings, $4,000
No Insurance.
Hagerty & Co. Saloon, 5000
No INSURANCE.