The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-07-11
FIYESON THE FOURTH.

FIRES ON THE FOURTH.
The inevitable, irrcprcssible iih OF july
nuisance, the fire cracker, has its usual sins
to answer for in the destruction Of life and
property during the celebration week ago
The most serious fire this year, originating in
this mischieyous and senseless explosive, was,
50 far as we are able to learn, at Pontiac in
this state, where property TO the amount OF
$3.50, 600 was destroyed. The fire originated
from fire cracker dropped among some
rubbish in the Public Square immediately
south Of the Court House, and swept the EN-
tire square of every building, including the
court house, large livery-stable, and mum
Der of the best business buildings in the city
The following is Il partial list:
! Northwest corner building, west Of the court
House, owned by Dr. t'itkins, occupied as a
hardware store loss $4,000, insurance $4,000
Bertram's furniture store, loss $1,000, insur
ance $4,000; Lawrence & Pillsbdry's build
ing, occupied with groceries and hard ware
loss $4,000 no insurance; Mr.. Young, cloth
inc, boots and shoes, loss $4,000, insurance
$4,000; Mr.. Lacey, agricultural implements
loss $4,000, insurance $500; Mr.. Hoover
groceries, loss $4,000, insurance, $4,000; G
Boy drug store, loss $4,000, insurance, $4,000
Crane Il Williams, dry goods, loss $4,000, nc
insurance; Isaac Umphenour's residence
loss $4,000, and his blacksmith and wagon
shop, loss $1,000, insurance unknown. Har
vey Gunsel's livery stable, loss 1880, fully
insured; few other buildings of small value
estimated in the aggregate at $4,000.
The Court House was a handsome brick
structure built in 1856, and with additions OF
fire proof vaults, &c, made since was worth
$4,000. The records were saved.
Fire crackers also kindled two fires in To
ledo, O., on the 4th, causing loss of abou,
$4,000, upon which there was an insurance
of only $1,000.
A fire originating from fire crackers in o
carpenter shop in Allegheny City, Pa, de
stroyed over 100 houses, causing loss Of
100000.
The village of Glen Haven, Ia, was almost
wholly destroyed by fire, involving a loss OF
about 100000, originating in the same cause
a slight fire at Springfield, Ill, also attrib
utable TO the fire cracker, caused 1000 dam
age.
Firecrackers caused two fires IN Toledo
O., on Saturday, causing loss CT about $50,
900, upon which there was an insurance OF
only $1,000.
In Cleveland, o., July 4th, a fire originated
IN frame markethouse, spreading rapidly
and before the flames could bC checked eight
frame buildings were destroyed, Loss, $50,
000 origin, fire.crackers.
The children of Mr.. Lee, Of Oswego, bought
their fire works on Friday, and while expert
mentIng with some fire rackcrs IN the even
ing, set their fathers house on fire. 1t was
burned up, and the accident doubtless inter
tered materially with the iamiiy's enjoyment
of the Fourth.
At Clinton, H., on the 4th, a fire cracker
exploding under sidewalk ignitcd some pa
per and rubbish, whence the flames commun
cated with the adjoining stores, and in the
absence of the citizens, who were listening
to speeches on the fair grounds, mile and
a half from the city, made such Roadway tina,
four stores with great portion of their con
tents were burned before the fire was contrJll
ed. Total loss $4,000 to $4,000.