The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-19
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
The Business Portion Of st. Johns,
Quebec, Destroyed.
LOSS OYER A MILLION.
Banks. Residences. Mills. Stores and
Telegraph Offices Destroyed.
THREE HUNDRED FAMILIES HOMELESS

ST. ALBAxs, VT. Juno is, 1875
All day long, from about O'Clock this morning,
a terrific condagration has ragged the city OF ST.
Johns, situated forty three miles from St. Adams and
twenty-ou miles from Montreal at tho junction OF
the Grand Trunk and Central Vermont railroads The
population is about 1000, and casscd one of
tho most prosperous OF tho provincial cities. THIS
morning, about o'clock, an alarm Of ire was
sounded. Tho wind was blowing hurricane when the
fire was discovered by somc people residing in the
vicinity Of Bousquet's lumber mill, which stood near
the railroad dcpots In less than fifteen minutes, and
before tho engines arrived at tho scene tho Ore had
spread from among the plies OF dry timber
into tho immense mil and the wind increasing in vio-
lencc to
LIVING HURRICANE,
fed tho mnddencd flames, which were spread
Ing every moment like wildnrc, licking The
caves Of tho roof OF the mill cnvcloping II
entirely and also tho large lumber wharf In
twenty minutes the building and the immense wharf,
with their combustiblc con,eAts crumbng,
heated mass OF runs onward sped tho flames, mill
ions OF sparks flying in all directions, and falling in
their downward course upon the dry roofs of the
houses and stores for distance OF moro than milo
The fine dwelling Of Engineer Flanders, which stood
opposite the mill fire In several Places aud
in twenty minutes thereafter burned TO the ground
with nearly all its contents the family barely escaping
with their lives. The aamcs spread rapidly from house
10 house. and the entire length Of Richelicu street,
upon both SIDES, was in flames at the Same moment.
Upon tho streets whole families
FLEEING LIVES,
and other people who resided OF reach OF tho de-
vouring element assisting save what could be
gotten away before the flames overlook them. The
streets full OF women and children scantily
dressed running like mnnacs for places Of safe shelter
Tho ptu cries OF these people filled the air and the
scene distressing behold In the arms Of strong
scanty bundles OF clothing, with which they
had been ablc rush forth from their burning
Mothers, daughters and sons wcro striving to save
their effects well as the lives Of children which
great danger. Seven hotels, nino churches,
the Custom House. Post Oficc, United States Consulate
two banks docks vessels In tho river, portion OF
bridge over the Richeieu River tho ST. Johns wooden
mills employing sixty hands, stone china
and $50 stores and houses, comprising tho
ENTIRE BUSINESS
OF the town was in flames at time, and tonight
seven eghths Of 81 johns lies smoudcring In ashes
The HERALD reporter, by circutous route, reached
the extreme end OF the town. where at O'Clock the
laShes cxtinguIshed for tho want OF material
feed supon. Tho sight horrifying one, tho
smoke rolling into tho clear blue heavens In black
volumes Upon the vacant fields could DO groups
OF hcart-broken and homeless people keeping strict
watch over what little they had been ab.c to save.
LIFE
at first supposed largo, but 1t has been asccrtancd
that only three are missing and two known TO be
severely burned that they will probably die. One Is
faving maniac. French woman, who cndeavor-
ing to save her vauables from her bedroom was I'M
able to make her escape and was burned to death.
visit at five o'clock this afternoon along the back
streets the district showed the result to
city. Tho houses upon Richclicu, Champaign and
Front streets entirely consumed, with all their
tents OF any description is left standing in
tho town. and the people who homeless could DO
seen seeking temporary shelter and assistance
Al st. Johns there arc situated large government
barracks and tho Governor General OF the Dominion
has authorized Mr. Marchand, member Of Parliament,
10 takc Immediate possession OF Thorn and place
THE POPULATION
in them. Tonight 900 families will DO quartered
therein. There is no food OF any description in
ST. Johns adequate The immediate wants OF tho
unfortunatcs Montreal ST. Adams will probably DO
called on to furnish supplies for the present
TnE LOSS
"a estimated at over 0O0 Most OF tho assurances
are in English companies, although the Ktna and Hart.
ford companies reported as quite heavy losers
The English companies and tho amounts arc as fol.
lows
THE INSURANCE.
Royal Canadian, $64 900; Stadacona. OF Quebec
$50 200; Citizens of Montreal, 81. 500; Provincial Of
Toronto SCI 600; National OF Montreal, $22 O00 and
Agricultural, $4,000 About seventy merchants arc
burned out and years must eapsc before che town
hope to regain It's position Of yesterday.
AID AFFORDED.
Aid tecgraphed for from 81. Adams and Mon
trca Tho fire department OF this place responded as
promptly as possible reaching St. Johns By special
train in less than hour and aid from Montreal ar
rived at about the same time. When the HERALD rep
rcscntatvc left. at six O'Clock, tho smould-
cring and the scene OF utter dcsoiation Tho
Gre companies played for long time upon
THE RANK VAULTS,
ana It Is hoped their contents will be saved Tho pop
ulacc arc almost crazy with and grief and many
families must depend upon charity for long time TO
come 70 keep them from actual starvation. the British
government has been notified Of The OF affairs and
aid is expected from that source. M
TIE LATEST
Tho Are Is completely cxtngushcd. Tho loss IL csti-
mated Mt 81 600 600 The insurance companies inter-
csscd, as can be asceriaincd, iolows:-
stadacona, $4,000; Agricultural, 50. 600; National
So ooo Citizens, $35, ooo Royal Canadian, So ooo
Provincial, $4,000; Liverpool, London and Globe,
amount not known, hut said to be heavy. About
5000 people rendered homeless. Tho only casua-
ties reported are Miss Lay. dressmaker, burned TO
DEATH and Mr.. Lynch. missing.