The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1878-07-03
ZIG FIRE At FRENCHTOWN!
EIGHTEEN BUILDINGS DESTROYED
LOSS $50 900 {.


On last Saturday morning at about 1915, a
fire was discovered in the barn occupied by
Dr. E. X. Deemy, in the rear OF Hanp s. Will
liams' spoke factory, east of Harrison street,
in Frenchtown. 1t being at an hour when
almost every one was asleep, the people were
slow in getting around, and the fire made
considerable Roadway before any organized
effort was made to stop its progress. The
hand engine belonging to the borough was
brought into requisition but it was found to
be badly out of order. The main dependence,
therefore, was in water buckets and wet
blankets. Mayor Haring seeing from the
first that there was every probability of big
fire, Immediately telegraphed to this city for
help, and Chief Engineer Clarke ordered the
Union Fire Co.'S steamer to proceed to the
fire. No alarm was given here, but about
twenty members of the company were quietly
awakened and in company with Chief Clarke
proceeded as soon as the train was ready, to
the scene of the fire The run of sixteen
miles was made in nineteen minutes, but it
was nearly an hour and half from the time
of receiving the dispatch before Frenchtown
was reached.
In the meantime the fire had spread from
Dir. Deemys stables and one or two ice houses
and other small frame buildings, to Ham &
Williams extensive spoke works, and then
took in the balance of the buildings on the
east side of Harrison street, between Bridge
and Second streets, and extended around the
J1...1 4
destroyed two or three buildings on each.-
The flames also spread to the west side of
Harrison street. and carried away the entire
square bounded by Harrison st. on the east,
Second street on the north, Bridge st. on the
south, and the railroad on the west, except
ing the Railroad hotel and barn in the rear,
and the brick dwelling adjoining the hotel.
All the buildings destroyed were of frame.
The following is list of the properties de-
stroyed:
The residence of D. F. Moore, on Bridge
St, owned by Hugh E. Warford.
The residence of the Misses Stryker, adjon-
ing the above, owned by Hugh e. Warford.
The residence of Jas. Osmun, adjoining the
above, owned by L. V. Abel.
The Stryker sisters millinery store, owned
by II. E. Misunderstanding the above.
The American Temperance Hotel, corner
of Bridge and Harrison sts., together with
the barns and sheds,-owned by Hugh E.
Warford.
The Frenchtown Press office, on Harrison
ST., together with the butcher shop and flour
and feed store under-building owned by H.
E. Warford.
The dwelling house, cor. of Harrison and
Second streets, owned by Samuel Pittenger.
The building on the opposite corner occu-
pied as an office by Ham & Williams and by
Miss Maggie Voorhees, as select school
owned by Ham & Williams.
The Frenchtown National Bank building
and the residence of the Cashier, on Second
street, adjoining the above.
Ham & Williams extensive spoke and hub
factory, sheds, machinery, &C., together with
large stock of spokes, hubs, etc.
The stables and sheds occupied by DR..
Deemy, and owned by the estate of s. B.
carriage, &c.
The large buildings corner OF Harrison and
Bridge streets, owned by A. p. Williams, and
occupied by Frank Miller's jewelry store
VIM. Smiths shoe shop; Jos. Hawks meat
shop w. T. Srope's Justices Office Geo. w.
Hummer's extensive furniture store A. P.
Williams drug store Schofeld's photograph
gallery and Miss Matte Runners dress max
ing establishment.
L. V. Abel's confectionery, saloon, bakery
and barber shop.
The residence of DR.. Deemy adjoining the a
bove, was considerably damaged, but the build
ing being of stone, with slate roof, helped to
check the flames i'll this direction.
Drinks hardware store ON the opposite side
of Bridge street, also caught fire, and severa
other buildings were slightly injured by scorch
ing, &c.
The occupants of the burned premises los
more or less of the personal property contain
ed in the buildings. 1t was difficult on Sat
urday the time that we visited the place), t.
learn the actual losses sustained by all tn
sufferers, or the amount of insurance.
Mr.. Miller, the jeweler, drew his safe on
of the fire to the sidewalk but upon opening