Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-06-04

L.ss $4,000.

Our city, since the big conflagration Of
one year ago, has come to regard fire
with a loss Of only $25 900 small affair
But to those directly interested in the
calamity last Monday night, it is no
trif1ing matter. About half past 10
o'clock that night fire was discovered in
the lay loft of Newman g. Chamberlain's
elevator, on the Central Depot grounds.
When first discovered it could have been
easily extinguished if the means had been
at hand. In the absence of sufiiciency
If water, the flames spread soon envelop-
ing the whole building. The fire depart
ment came upon the scene just as soon as
possible in the condition of the roads,
having to drag by hand their heavy
apparatus through the mud. After the
Steamer had arrived at the scene, consid-
cradle delay was experienced on account
of train of cars on the track over which
it was necessary to lay the hose. BY the
time that this obstacle was removed, the
warehouse of W. P. Brown, adjoining
Newman's elevator, had taken fire and
the prospect was not favorable for stop.
ping the conhagration until it should
reach the open space east of the depot.
But at this juncture the steamer got to
work, being stationed at the slough near
the water tank, thowing through 1900 feet
of hose, divided into two streams near the
fire, and soon began to demonstrate how
profitable an investment it is to the city.
From the time that these powerful streams
were poured into the fire the question of
its control was settled. The warehouse
of G. d. Jones close to Mr.. Browns on
the west was sayed with only the dis
truction of the shingles on ore side, and
the charring of the siding next the fire.
So also Vinegar & Mannings elevator
east Of Newmans. 1t was saved by the
most persistent and unwearicd exertions
of the firemen and citizens, one of the
German company, Mr.. Henry Freed, with
a hcroism and endurance worthy of all
praise, sticking to the roof for over an
hour, Drawing the scorching blasts and
keeping wet the exposed portions. To
his eXcrtions more than those of any
other individual do Messrs Winnegar and
Manning owe the preservation of their
building.
The serious loss by the fire was thus
confined to the Newman elevator and Mr..
Browns warehouse, both being destroyed
except few charred remains.
LOSSES.
Newman & Chamberlin, on building,
5000, insured as follows: Home n. Y,
$4,000; Franklin Philadelphia, $500
North America, 81 600. Total $4,000.
S. Newman on agricultural implements
81 900, insured for 81 900 in the Under
writer's A rough estimate of the amount
of grain in the Newman elevator, is IA ,00t
bushels of wheat oats and corn, worth
about IS 900; upon whichS Newman hat
$500 insurance in the Hartford ant
other parties, chiefly farmers, $3.50, il
the Underwriters. Total loss ut New
man elevator SIS 900, insurance S14 $40
Mr. Browns loss on building is $4,000
with no insurance. His loss on whea
and oats is $4,000 upon which he has
ST 900 insurance, in the North America
Besides this, Mr.. Brown lost 5000 wortl
of hides, no insurance. Mr. Browns
total loss is 5000; insurance $1,000
There were besides this, about 5000
bushels of grain in the Brown warehouse
belonging to farmers, worth So, 500, upon
which there was little or no insurance.
Z. B. Conable had 81 200 worth of i'm
plement repairs in the same place, unin
surcd. c. d. Jones loss on building ant
grain will be from $500 to. 81 600, full.
insured.
While all the sufferers by this fire have
the sympathy of the community, the cast
of Mr. Brown excites peculiar regret. lii
is one Of our very best citizens, who b,
the most rigid integrity and upright con
duct as a citizen has won the respect an(
confidence of all, and especially those wht
have business relations with him. Ill
had his whole capital invested in his bust
ness, his loss is over S., 900, and insurance
only for 81 900, and the blow is u sever
one to him. We hope that he may b
assisted to resume his business withou
delay.
1t will be unnecessary to speak Of on
noble firemen Their work speaks for itself
They saved property on this occasion
alone worth more than double their costl
apparatus They are body of mel
whom it will pay to cherish and extend
| liberal hand to.