The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-05-06
A Western CITY Burned.


Oshkosh, flourishing city of - 900 in
habitants. Situated on the Fox River, Wis
consin, was almost totally destroyed by
fire on Wednesday of last week. The toll
lowing are the particulars
Twelve mills, the Beckwith House,
IIarding's Opera House, the two tele-
graph offices, the Chicago & St. Paul rail
road depot. and a number OF other impor-
tant buildings We're burned down within
Seventy-tive minutes At half-past three
O'Clock, about q mile and a quarter OF ter
rltory, east and west, by over a quarter OF
mile average width, was burned over,
with very few buildings lett standing.
During the fire several explosions were
heard and it is reported that five or six
men We're killed by the blowing up OF
powder magazine, but the confusion was
so great that it was impossible to ascer-
tain the truth Many determined attempts
were made to renew Geographic commu-
nication with adjoining cities. but after
continued failures, the attempt had to be
given up. The only line available was
that OF the Northwestern railroad The
operator at this point managed to keep
his line open All the banks and printing
offices We're destroyed, and several hun
dred houses burned to the ground. Two
men have been carried in from the ruins,
and it is certain that nine must have met
their death during the fire.
The city is in possession Of gang Of
thieves, and vigilance committees are
forming.
Among the losses by the fire are the
DeckWith House $40. 900 Adams House.
So 900; Northwestern newspaper office,
$4,000; Times office, $40, 600. Over 200
residences, large and small, were burned,
and over 100 stores hotels, banks, etc,
also destroyed.
The Opera House, a valuable structure,
costing nearly 500, 900. and the finest in
Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee, was de-
~troyed
The loss is variously estimated. The
most moderate being $3.50, 900, and the
highest 3 900, 600. The flames began to
weld to the persistent efforts OF the fire.
men and citizens, at nine o'clock.
CHICAGO, APRIL 80. A special from
Oshkosh says there is no possible way Of
arriving al the loss to insurance companies
hv the Oshkosh fire, since all the agencies
but one were burned out, and the books
are in confusion and the books of one
agency were burned. The insurance with
this last-named agency, Gary & Harmons,
is estimated at $500, 900 The total loss
by the fire is thought to be greater than
was at first reported, and is now put at
$500 600 1t is estimated in general
terms that the insurance is fifty per cent
of the loss. About 800 families We're
burned out. and relief is much needed.
HE City Council has appropriated $4,000
fOr their immediate wants. There is no
Encouragement among business men, and
The feeling is strong that rebuilding will
commence at once. Several hours of rain
failed to eNtinguish the fire, which is still
burning among the debris A deep pail
hangs over the city Five times since its
foundation has conhagration visited it, but
the present calamity is the most crushing
oi all This is the third time within a
wear that fire has desolated Oshkosh. This
tre has taken most of the fine residences
and homes. Citizens seem utterly hope
less, and walk the streets with sad faces
Their are still smouldering, and when
former owners are asked what they will
do they reply that they cannot tell at pres
ent. Oshkosh lies on flat piece of ground,
and there is almost a continuous south
N'9L VIM, W illIii OlI ILLS CttdolOll w do
blowing with great violence. 1t has been
tie custom in Oshkosh latterly, when a
heavy westerly wind is blowing, for the
mills which are situated in the western
part Of the city to stop work to prevent
fires. A number Of mills shut down We'd
nesday noon, but Spaulding Il Peck re-
fused to stop work, and when Morgan
asked Peck to do so he was answered alb
Tptly that he (Peck) intended to run his
own business. Shortly after this Morgan
Brothers mill was observed to be on fire,
and in a few minutes the whole building
was in flames. The fire companies and
thousands of citizens were promptly on
hand but the gale was so fierce and the
material OF the mills 50 combustible that
.l.~ ----I-i H. ~..5-al a,,I r,>o~ l:1,-
drove them from place to place, advanc-
ing TO the head OF the city. Mr.. Davis,
clerk OF Morgan Brothers, attempted to
save some books from the mill, but be-
coming bewildered, nearly roasted to
death before he could find his way out,
and expired soon after reaching the open
ain The air was filled with shingles and
cinlers which bore destruction to houses
At 4 great distance, and as the flames
advanced rapidly toward the principal
ihoroughfares. even the most sanguine
gave up ali hope of checking them, and
The city was devastated.