Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-25
The st. John Fire.

so many valuable lives. wasted properly oy tue
millions worth, laid an arrest on many and varied
forms OF industry, and spread not only desolation
but terror and CONSERVATION all around Public
buildings, palaces of commerce, temples of relig-
ion, banks, palatial residences newspaper and
telegraph offices. school houses, almost everything
of which citizens of ST. John felt proud were in
few hours laid in ruins.
The fire was discovered in building owned by
Mr.. Fairweather. on the south side of York Point
slip, next to McLsughlin's boiler shop. To the
latter building the flames had spread before the
fremen had reached the scene. The engines ar
rived and did their best to stop the flames, but all
efforts were 10 vain. Nothing could be done
The flames then spread to various buildings on
HAYES wharf, which were also consumed, and be
fore the fire could be checked it broke with a
into Smith street, carrying everything before it,
From there the flames spread into Druryl lane and
Mil street, following that into Dock street, TAX
ing both sides. Ere this, however, the rear of the
London House and Adjacent buildings had been
attacked, when it was seen that the first fire would
inevitably sweep along either Dock or Mill street
Aid came from Portland in the shape of the town
engine and fremen. The tinder-boXes on fire,
aided by the wind, proved combination TOO much
for the gallant workers, and almost in despair
they saw the flames advance upon them, not slow
y but with rapidly that appalled, the stoutest
hearts. The Carleton engine came in the ferry
boat aud lent its aid against the fire. One engine
had been stationed at the corner of VI Ill and IN
ion streets, while the men with branches were
down on Union street, opposite Drury lane. The
buildings were a mass of flames at the end Of
Smith street and Drury lane, and while the work
ers were vainly endeavoriug to have the fire cad
there, a momcntary gale took the flames across
u nion street to the opposite houses, and then they
receded; but their touch had been fatal, and IN
less than five minutes these buildings were
doomed to destruction. Both sides of the street
were soon in the grasp of the devourIng element,
and the men were obliged to drop their branch
pipes and run up the street, after which they
dragged the hose after them. Another lot of men
working at the foot of Union street, and by
placing boards in front of their faces managed to
battle with the flames until their clothing became
singed.
Proceeding along Smith street in a southerly
direction the fire soon reached Nelson street, then
Robertson's place, then extended to Robertson's
wharf, and then up the South wharf. As il gained
Nelson street the south, it there met the hames
coming up that street, and the combination made
so intense a heat that it could not be borne. AL.
lied with the strong wind from the northwest, it
did not take long for the entire wharf to be blaze.
Half dozen wocd boats were at the head of
Market slip, and at the end of the wharves there
were about the same number of schooners. Be-
fore the fire had assumed a formidable shape on
the north wharf the men on the vessels began to
pour pals of water on the decks. The water was
low just them and something like this neces-
sary to extinguish the sparks that were continual
ly showered down on them. Those at the head of
the slip were, IN a quarter Of an hour, fire in
so many places that it was impossible for each
outbreak to receive attention before the vessels
had been well on fire. The flames caught their
masts, and these afforded stepping stone to the
shops on South wharf. Not one Of those west OF
Ward street was capable of withstanding the in
tense heat and sparks, all being of wood and they
went down "a II swept by a hurricane. The
schooners in front having been hadled out TO a
place OF safety, many OF the occupants
Of the stores went to help their unfor-
tunate brother merchants. Some returned just in
time TO their books, and others were Just en-
abled to witness the destruction of all their stock
Some of the embers lodged in the steeple of Trim
ity church, German street, and with nothing to
save it, the fire being so high as TO be almost be-
sond reach, the flames were lett to pursue then
course.
As The news spread that some wooden houses in
Horsefeld street, well as others en- Duke street
near the Victoria Hotel. were on fire, thousands
were alarmed. as 1t was soon seen that the fire
was spreading north, south, east and west, to Ger
main, Charlotte, Duke and Horsefeld streets,
with not an engine to be had and everything GO
ing down before tina unrelenting flames. A build-
ing on Charlotte street had hardly become a prey
| to the flames when others on either side followed
and in half an hour all but the German street side
OF the square was in ashes. The Victoria Hotel
and st. Andrews church were in great danger,
and the hotel guests, as well as the employees, be
gan to make preparations for seeking new quai .
ters. Very little time was given them to collect
their valuables. and in the majority of cases they
had to leave with scanty ward obes. About the
same time ST. Andrews church took fire, and n,
did not stand long. Adjoining the church was
two-story brick building occupied as a tailors
shop IN the lower story and by the Beacon, Z TO-
neel and Sloan Lodges o. Odd Fellows, as well
Mlllicets Encampm, mt of that order, on the upper
Hat, which was destroy ed, prior to which, how
ever, the members managed to enter the building
and save most of the regalia ami other property
Inc buildings al the southern corner of Dock and
u mon streets and on the opposite corner caught
almoit simultaneously.
To say that the fire ragged fercely here would be
but 10 ianty describe the terrible certainty of its
progress, despite the streams of water directed
upon It, The engine was obliged to shift lis
position from this quarter, the heat being terrific
There was also danger that the hose would be
ourned and of all things its preservation wa,
most essential. The engine was taken down Dock
street, but the fire kept up rapid pursuit. 1t
also spread a.ong the western part of Mil street.
crossing over to the opposite side and seiZng
Thence onward towards North street from tue
south Wharf, the flames entered Ward street and
extended to Peters Wharf in a remarkably short
space of time, botting out everything before
them, They then worked through to Water ST.,
and thence soon made their way to the southern
part OF Market Square, making jump up to
Prince William street. Al this stage a wooden
house on Canterbury street took fire, and the
buildings on Church street were soon imperiled.
The flames then advanced TO Princess and King
streets, and buildings on German street. opposite
Trinity Church, took fire very rapidly. The Ac-
sdemy of Music was destroyed. There were two
occupied stores on the ground floor of this build
ing, and the Knights of Pythias occupied hail up
stairs. Many of the actors who were under en-
gagement to Mr.. Nannery lost portions of their
Sardrobes, and all tue scenery was burned. When
the fire had reached the Market-square, and had
tanned firm hold on the many fine buildings
there, several explosions were heard coming from
one of the hardware stores, and caused a general
scattering Of the people all around. The reports
reached as far as the Courthouse.
The fire entered king-street on the western side
from German and Canterbury streets to the St
John Hotel, burning the Trinity School in its
course, and went up TO the south side of King
square, and leveled to the ground the Lyceum,
destroying the marble works of Mr.. S. F. Osgood
and Messrs. Miigan. 1t then proceeded to Mr.
Robertsons stable, across to St. Malachis Hall,
nm I,einster street and then hack IN Eino st,aa,