The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-02
GREAT FIRE N SOUTH HORWALK.
Destruction Of the Old Well Hotel and Livery
stables-sixteen' Horses Burned-Loss
S75,000-List of Insurances.

SOUTH N0RwALK, Conn., Feb. l. 1874
The most destructive fire which has visited this
city since it had an organization took place early
this morning, and resulted in a large amount of
damage. 1t broke out at six O'Clock in the harness
room adjoining s. II. Hopkins livery stable, COM
municated with 1t and the Old Well HOTEL close
by, and in less than three hours had levelled them
all to the ground. South Norwalk has no fire Gu.
CINE Of any kind. and 1t being Sunday and very
early in the morning few persons were made
aware OF the progress OF the names until
they had gained Roadway. An alarm was
promptly given after the discovery OF the
fire; but the Norwalk steamer, which
had distance of over two miles to travel to reach
the scene, did not arrive till alter eight O'Clock,
when 1t was too late TO render any practical aid
in saving property. heavy wind was blowing
rom the west at the time, which caused the fire to
spread with wonderful rapidity, Great effort was
made to save the stables and hotel but the former
succumbed, with all its carriages. harness, hay
and other material the saddest feature OF 1t being
the
BURNING TO DEATH OF SIXTEEN HORSES,
crowd of horrihed inhabitants looking on,
powerless to render any assistance; while the
latter, frame building and very extensive, was as
vast finder box bursting into name, which all the
engines in Fairfield county would have been I'M
able TO cope with. ColoneI F. F. stedman the pro-
and only succeeded in rousing his wife, fam
lily and guests from their slumbers in time co
noss g1oa e escape ne in the
names across Washington street and upon 8. +.
Peck's drug store. out by bringing a small hand en-
CINE TO bear upon them 1t was saved. At one
time Ely's new block was on fire, but by the aid OF
axes the wooden cornice was Knocked Off ana the
building saved
CHECKING THE FLAMES.
The Norwalk FIRE Department and Pioneer and
Rescue Hook and Ladder companies now arrived,
acats 81 pcn N kaap tho
IRE from furthur spreading; but without doubt,
to Mr.. Dexter Fairbanks, foreman OF the Norwalk
pany's great force pump In motion, and to the en-
glneer Of the Lock Works, who initiated his ex-
saving their dwellings and places OF bust
ness from burning These establishments are a
forcing water from the river into tank 0u IN tSe
rear OF Lucas Hotel on Main street the Norwalk
steamer was 81 enabled to Play upon the flames Al
THE TOTAL LOSS
cannot fall short Of $4,000. Ex,Mayor Dudley P.
is So the heaviest loser. lie estimates his his
companies The hotel. in the Fremen's Fund,
California, s., 500; Fremen's Association Pennsy-
sS %sstosesfsr New YORK.
delpha, $500; Black River, New York, $500; Far
ragut New YORK, $1,000 The livery stable, In the
YORK. 1000; Continental, New York, $1,000; Penn
syyania .o Ph ~ $780, Black River, New
Il,
SMALLER LOSSES.
The loss Of F. F. Stedman Il son. of the hotel will
reach $4,000; insured for about 200. The store
on Washington street. occupied by Elkan & Co..
dry goods, was insured in the Fairfield County Fire
Insurance Company for $4,000, and In the New
York Plate Glass Company for $500. Ely's block
occupied by D. Dayton, boots and Shoes and Chris.
tian Swartz q Co., cigars and tobacco, was insured
Tor $4,000 In the Etna and National, OF Hart
lord, and the Narragansett, OF Rhode Island.
gentlemen may reach $1,000 each. Mr.. Dayton was
insured for 81, 0OO principally IL New York COM
panies. Elkan Co. were insured in the Fairfield
County for 5000. The stable was the largest, and
said to have been the best kept OF any in this por
ton OF the State.
THE PENALTY OF NoN.AssURANcE.
Mr.. Hopkins, It's proprietor had his all invested
in 1t. short time since his policies OF insurance
EXPIRED but the nigh rates Tor renewal asked since
the panic impeled him to delay attending to the
matter. He mas the sympathy OF all.
The hotel was OF recent construction. very COM
mOdi0us filed with guests, and was we'll kept. 1t
was an attractive place OF resort or the denizens
ander Swords Ne,cs office, with most OF Its con-
tents, was destroyed. Loss total
From what can ne learned by Chief Of Police s.
Hodges and his subOrdinates, who have been
vgiiant during the 1re and since In looking up the
cause, there is little doubt that
THE FIRE WAS INCENDIARY.
Mr.. Hopkins kept watcnman-J0hn Reagan
who always slept on the premises. During last
night man named Slaven, known as Joker
noted character, was about the premises.
strange to say, he was the first man to AWAKEN
Mr.. Reagan and inform him that his bed was
fire. The latter fastened to his feet, and moment
later the house burst into flames. After the
fire number of martngales and othep har-
ness appurtenances were found on Slavens
person, and this, with the mysterious man
ner In which he had gained admtttance to Rea-
gan's room, was contirmatory evidence, in the
mind of Chief Hodges, however mist AIKEN he may be,
that Slaven HAD applied the match. Other circum-
dinghy arrested, aud tomorrow morning will be
tried before the City Court lOr the alleged offence.