The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-12-25

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The Victims and an Estimate or TheIl
LOssea
Between half-past three and fou,
o'clock on Wednesday morning last oul
citizens were awakened by the ringing
OF the fire bell and the cry of fire, u
was soon ascertained that the fire had
caught in the floor and a partition In
the photograph gallery of Y. F. Ames,
over l72, Commercial street, building
owned by Van K. Holmes and w. T
Soden, the lower part of the building
being then occupied by T. n. Fry,
Jeweler and watch maker, and James
smith, tobacconist. Soon the fire and
hook and ladder companies were at
the scene ofaction, as was also a large
number of citizens, provided with
buckets, each anxious 10 do his part.
For a short time scarcity of water and
the difficult means of access to the fire
impeded successful working, but O.
bOuntiful supply was after awhile at
hand, and the engine was got In posi-
ton to play, and all went to work In
earnest to conquer the devOuring ele-
ment and save much of the wealth and
adornment OF our city. The fire had
now penetrated upward to the rafters
OF the building and down TO the rooms
below. a large portion of the goods
had been removed by this time from
the store rooms of Messrs. Smith and
Fry-the most valuable part of the lat
ter being left, however, in the vault
and remained unlnJureJ.
Through dense, suffocatlng volumes or
smoke the firemen forced their way. and
streams Of gas were soon pouring on the
flames. Citizens were carrying water
and drenching the frey monster. Much
excitement prevailed, and many were
THEN goods for speedy removal.
II was not long, though, until every one
felt sense OF security, for the fire compa-
MES and their excellent volunteer corps
had obtained complete mastery over the
names, and by six O'Clock the lire was en-
tirely extinguished.
The losses are estimated as follows:
Holmes and Soden, loss ON building,
$1,000; Insurance $4,000 In Franklin OF
and German American Of
n. Y. T. NJ. Fry, matchmaker and jew
eler, loss $4,000; insurance, $1,000 in
German American. James Smith, tobAc-
go and cigar manufacturer, loss $500; In
$1,000 in Kansas Insurance Com
pany. N. F. Ames, photographer, $500;
no insurance.
Nothing has been de 6nitely ascertained |
as TO the origin OF the fire, and 1t is not |
probable It will ever be known. Mr.. |
Ames appears to feel quite satisfied OF
having turned out his light before leaving |
his looms on the previous evening, but |
he states there was box OF matches LEFT |
IN q table Immediately over where the |
ire appeared 20 have originated, and that |
here were mice in and about the room.
But for the fact that Mrs. Upton and |
Miss POstlewait, mil liners and dressmak-
rs, over j. G. Hall Il Bros dry goods
tore, being driven with business that
lad been promised for Christmas, had
suffered themselves TO remain at their
work all night. the fire would undoubt-
IDLY have done infitely more damage to
and it is not at all unlikely hui
nan lives would have baen lost. These
aides, on hearing q cracking noise, left
heir rooms and sought the cause. On
opening their door they found the halls
llled with smoke. Knowing there were
eme young mon sleeping In rooms ad
dining the fire, they forced their way
through the thick smoke TO the door of a
Dom occupied by n. N. and Willie Bach
Her, and by dInt of hard rapping succeed
ID in awakening the occupants to find
heir room packed with smoke. The la
lies then gave the alarm Of fire.
We are glad to say that our Babcock
.ngine did good service. Had 1t not been
or this, the whole block might have been
several buildings-be-
ore the lire could have been subdued.
rhe general expression IL that the engine
more than paid for Itself by its good work
It this fire.
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