New-York tribune., 1876-06-19
GREAT FIRE AT ST. JOHNS.
THE TOWN NEARLY DESTROYED.

IHE TOWN NEARLY DESTROYED.
SEVEN HOTELS, NINE CHURCHES. BANK. AND
wOOLEN FACTORY-ENGLIsH INSURANCE COM
PANIEs THE PRINCIPAL LOSERS.
ST. JOHNS, Quebec, June 18.-This place was
to-day visited by most destructive fire. The
entire business portion of the town, embracing
a stretch of territory 600 feet wide and a
mile in length, was destroyed Seven hotels,
nine churches, the Cusomhouse, Courthouse, Post
Office United States consulate two banks docks vessels
in the river, portion of q bridge the Rchelieu
River the Johns wooen Mills employing 60 hands,
stone china and 250 and houses
reduced to ashes. Tho fire broke out this
morning at the head of Rchelieu-st in Bousquet's
steam sawmill. strong southwest wind caused the
fire to spread rapidly The aqueduct water had been
shut off to repair the engine making necessary for the
reengines draw their supply from the river which
added to the delay steamer arrived from Montreal at
half-past IL o'clock in the morning, and
gines and hose companies from ST. Adams at
O'Clock in the afternoon, but the fire Ind already swept
the entire length of Rcheeust to the lock- and through
the streets St. George St. James, ST. Charles, st.
Paul and Middests to Champlan, burning all of the
buildings the east and the west side. The
occupants OF the burned houses had hardly time to
cape with their lives.
Tie ST. Johns Bank saved its paper money but every
thing else is the yanlts. Tho Merchants Bank left
everything in its vaults Miss lay mlner in cndcav
oring 10 goods burned to death. Mrs Lynch,
Charles Arpand were badly burned. Mayor Rossitcr,
whose house and tannery destroyed, severely
burned The Bank Of ST. Johns beautiful cut-stone
building. Stone buildings with iron shutters supposed
have been fre-proo burned like tinder. The Woolen
Company had $50 600 worth OF iahnes burned.
The houses we're mostly of brick and The total
loss Is varOusly estimated high 81 100000 About
200 families have been rendered houseless most OF
them losing everything. The 81 Johns Ners building
was burned, but the Office OF lie Franco CanGdienne
was saved. The property Is generally well
insured, mostly in English Offices. The 1Etna Company
of Hartford is the only American company known to
have risks. The English companies The Queen,
Northern, Phgnix, Royal Liverpool and London. and
North British and the Canadian, The Royal Canadian.
Hadacona, and the Provincial aud Citizens. large
number Of special police have been appointed TO preserve
order tonight and arrangements made TO provide for
the destitute Business say the town Will be rebuilt
at once.
THE INSURANCE LOSSES IN DETAIL
LATER Evening. - The fire is completely ex-
tinguished The loss is estimated at 81 100000 The
insurance companies interested near can be ascer
tanned are follows Sadacona $4,000; Agricultural,
1000; National, $4,000; Citizens, $4,000; Royal
Canadian Sc 900; Provincial, S40.0O0; Liverpool Lon
don and Globe, not known but said to be heavy
About 5000 people are rendered homeless. Tho only
casualties reported Miss lay drossmaker burned to
death, and Mr.. Lynch, missing.
THE DEVASTATED TOWN.
st. Johns is beautiful Canadian town on the west
shore of tho River Rcheeu at the head OF the Chamby
Canal and at the foot OF the nayIgable waters OF Lake
Champlain. 1t is important station on the Grand
Trunk line. being 81 miles from Montreal and % miles
Point. The population is about 1000 It's
trade is principally in produce and general merchandise