Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-23
To Whom it May Concern.

After the great fire of May 25th, 1874,
that nearly destroyed the whole business
portion of our city, the City Council, act
ing in harmony with the wishes of all
classes of our citizens, passed an ordinance
establishing Fire Limits within the City
of Independence, Iowa, and regulating the
erection of buildings therein, which con-
tains the following sections:
SECTION /. That the fire limits of the City Of
Independence, Iowa, shall consist of lots three
and four. in block one all of blocks two, three and
four, lots one, two, three, four and five in block
five lots four and five in block ten, and all of
block twenty-four, all in StOughtOn g. McClure's
addition to Independence; also the ground lying
between block four, in Stoughton s. McClure's adj
dition, and the river, and all the ground lying
west Of Chatham ST.. and between Main and Mott
streets and to the river also lots one and two in
block one, Scarclff's addition; also all Of block
one and lots one two, three and four in block two
and lot three in block twenty one, all in Stoughton
& McClnre's second addition to Independence,
and all the land east of said lot three block TWEEN
ty- one, to the river.
SEC. @ That it shall be unlawful for any per-
son to erect or cause to be erected within said fire
limits any buildings, erection structure, except
as hereinafter defined.
The outer walls of each building or addition
thereto, or block of buildings erected shall be
Of brick and mortar or stone and mortar, the same
to be laid solid carried, at least two feet above
roof of building as completed. In of build
ings erected and used exclusively private dwell
ings upon lots one, two three, and four, in block
two; lots one two, three and four in block three;
and lots five, six. seven and eight in block four.
all in Stoughton & McClure's addition. the same
may be built of wood and veneered with brick. but
no wall in such dwelling house shall be required
to extend above the roof
SEC. g. The roofs Of all buildings shall be COW
cred with metal or composition, and II covered
with composition. the outer coating of said roof
shall be covered with gravel to such thickness
cause such composition to ignite. The roofs of
| private dwellings or other buildings that may be
erected on the lots referred to in section two OF
this ordinance, may be made OF shingles, and
must be kept well covered with mineral other
fire proof paint.
| SEC. 4. The ventators cupolas, projecting
above the roof of any building within said fire lin
| its, and all stairways attached to the outside OF
any building within said fire limits, shall be con-
structed of brick, iron, or other on-cOmbustible
| material.
said buildings shall be constructed of wood and
all outhouses pertaining to said buildings shall be
constructed Of the same materials as the said bull
! dings are.
SEC of the Ordinance also provides
that all buildings erected in violation of
this Ordinance shall be declared nui-
sance and may he abated as such-and
that the person who erected said building
may be fined any sum not exceeding 500
for every "a hours said building remains
standing.
Some of our property holders on Main
and Chatham streets refused to builtafter
thc1ire unless they were protected by an
Ordinance like the above 1t was passed
to meet the almost universal demand of
our citizens. Upon its enforcement de-
ponds, in a great measure, the safety of
our present structures, and the future build
ing up of our city. The statutes provides
that 'the Mayor shall cause the Ordi
nanccs to be faithfully and constantly
obeyed," This alone makes my duty
plain, and when coupled with the above
considerations my duty becomes doubly
imperative.
Since the passage of the above Ordi
nance. various parties have built wooden
barns, shops, additions, corn cribs, and
outhouses, within the fire limits.
Some time since the City Marshal mott
fed these parties that they must conform
to the Ordinance No one has needed the
notice.
To save expense and trouble give this
further and last notice. That unless the
buildings above referred to are removed
or rebuilt, to conform to the Ordinance,
within thirty days from date, they WILDE
abated as nuisances, and proceedings
commenced against the owners for the
penalties as prescribed.
D. D. HoLDRlDGE, Mayor.
Independence, July, 23d, 1876.