The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1876-11-24

DISASTROUS FtRE.-The alarm of fire
rang out about four clock Wednesday
morning. tust at the hour when most peo-
pie sleep soundest. It took longer than
usual TO arouse our citizens to the fact that
there was an actual and verit4ble fire, hut
when they did appreciate the fact they bur
rfetl to the ''front" with great nnanimi'y.
The fire was found to be In the two one
story frame buildings on the corner of Fer
rv and First streets, the corner building
occupied by Chas. Ronrgartles. watches,
iewelry. etc. while the atijoiuing building
was occupied by Geo. Weller as saloon.
Engine No. was on the ground first. TAX
ing water at the cistern ut the intersection
of First and Ferry streets, within q few
feet of tile fire. and was soon throwing
water; but the fire had gainetl such head
way that it was found impossible to save
the bindings. and all the energies of the
Fire Department were directed to save Mr..
John Briggs elegant new two-story frame
bn.,ness l.7t:ae that Joined the burning
buildings or the cast 1t was a hot contest
between the engine ana the fire for the
H1HSttTSs anu at tfitC AaiC SAW v
the new luil,ling was apparently solid
sheet of flame. and it was thought impossi-
bic to save il; but Ones saw the danger,
and although their engine stood so close to
the fire that the heat blistered the paint on
that portion next to the fire. yet they
bucl<lcd to it. rrdoable,l their. exertions
and eventually got control of the fire. At
81 yn, n 81.
which had been SET at the ditch just below
First on Broadalbin. but had met with
| some, had Inck. delaying her getting into
working order. came into action. throwing
| tyyo streams of water and the fire was sub
| ,ined in a jifTv. The fire burned through
| the s,lii G to the pIaSteriug in two or three
| places on Mr. Briggs building. and the
whole side and portion of the front black
encd snd cilarre,l. The greater portion of
| the goods in Mr.. Briggs stove emporium
were removed tn the street. while the goods
left in the huilsling were more or less dam,
aged by the water. the greatest damage. of
course. being to the building. We suppose
| his loss will probably be at least one thou
sand dollars. Mr. Bourgardes was carry
| ing stock that two mouths ago invoiced
nearly or quite s'8 600; OIL this lie had an
| insurance of $500. III The saloon was 4
billiard table. bar fixtures. etc. valued at
! 81. 200. on which there is an insurance of
$500. Mr.. Briggs is fully insured The
buildings destroyed were old frames, the
property of Mr.. Peterson. ard were not
insured so tar rs we can learn. The actual
losses will probably not foot up more than
! six thousand dollars. The buildings direct
~ opposite. one of them the property Of
Mr.. j. Gradwofl, were damaged to some
extent by the great heat. The fire seems
to have originated between the two build
! ings. and was caused by defective fine.
the bursting of s. coal oil lamp that was
kept burning during the night. iueendia-
riSm, spontaneous combustion or some
other cause. Each reader can take his
choice as to the origin OF the fire-we con-
fesS our inability to give any positive in
formation on the matter.