Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-05-28

nEOSs, w llliaIilN q COQ5 Mike QHg0l
er and perhaps other1. The .cxampl
was contagious. Parties availe'
themselves of the offer Of he Wilco
heirs to sell the lots upol, which tn
Opera House and the large tire
story brick building had stood be
fore the fire, and soon this propert,
was parceled out to separate parties
who each commenced to erect build
ings thereon. In twenty days from tn
date of the fire, the burnt district wa
the scene Of busy industry. TIL
streets were filled with immens,
piles of building materials, and tn,
music of the trowel, the saw ant
hammer were heard on all Sides
The crisis was past. Independence
was yet to live and prosper beyond
all former precedent. The policy o
inaction-which, if it had continued
one month, would have brough
about the ruin that was feared,-wa.
abandoned for one of brave doing
of courage and indomitable enter
prise. The spirit of resolute will and
confidence displayed by the owners
of property on Main street was com
municated to Chatham street, anG
soon the foundations of six new
stores on the site of the Burr block
were in process of construction
The space burned over by the No
vember fire was also speedily occu
pied by the army of reconstruction
The town swarmed with mechanics
from abroad, and still the supply was
inadequate. Our own master build
ers never before had so many irons
in the fire. linn, Evers, Phil
lips, Alexander, Baker and 9th
ers were equal. to the situation
and to their credit be it spoken
in no case took advantage Of the ex.
igency to charge extortionate prices.
For four months our town was a
hive of workers. Buildings arose
like magic, and as store after store
was added to the long facade on the
south side of Main street, its attract
i've uniformity as whole, and separ-
ate beauty Of detail-praised by all
apparent. BY
October most of the new stores were
ready for occupancy. With large
stocks of new goods, the majority of
The dealers were comfortably settled
n their new quarters before snow
lew last fall, and We're rewarded for
heir enterprise with a heavy fall and
winter trade. Thus more than three
ourths of the area burned over by
he fires of November 2sth, 1873, and
Nay 25th, 1874, was built up within
he space of four month after the
after event, and with structures of
architectural proportions and value
very much superior to
hose occupying the same ground
,efore.
We doubt if any town in the west,
flikc wealth and population, can
how more remarkable record of re-
energy, and achievement.
Certainly none within our knowledge,
ot excepting Chicago, has so fairly
covered from the effects of cal
nifty, apparently fatal to its pros
erity, in so short a time. The al
nost magical rebuilding Of our city,
he rcsuscitation of its business, and
Is architectural appearance, were the
heme of wondering comment and
Enthusiastic praise by all strangers
Tho come among us. The citizens
f independence naturally feel proud
f their achievements in raising, in
ne short year, their city from posi-
on SO helpless and hopeless to her
primer standing among the enter
rising and prosperous communities
f our glorious State. 1t is true that
&c complete work Of restoration has
OF been accomplished in the twelve
lonths intervening since the fire.
here are yet gaps in our streets,
18th the marks of fire in them, but
leir number and space bear trifling
to the rebuilt portions,
nd their closing up with elegant
uildings is only question of year
+ two at most.
But our people are willing that
hat has been accomplished shall go
nth to the world at large, as Il fitting
st of their enterprise and public
pirit; and the BULLETIN, which has
ever faltered in its faith in the
right and prosperous future of indie
or failed to mculcatc and
Emulate that indomitable pluck that
as overcome the great disaster of
lst year, deems this, the first ami
ersary week since the Great Fire,
fitting opportunity to set before its
saders at home and abroad, detail
1 account Of the improvements of
re year, not only within the burned
istrict, but in other portions Of the
ity, so tar as we have been enabled
, get them. We have not, in all
asses been able to get the exact fig
res of the cost of the buildings erec-
ID, but where they are estimated
enerally very close to their true cost
we have been careful to keep them
nder. rather than over the actual fig-
res. Commencing near the origin
{ the fire of Nav 25th. 1874. on