Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-01-04
Winthrop Singed !!
Almost the Entire Business Portion OF
the Town In Ruins.
Interesting Account from our own Cores
p0ndent.

Last Tuesday morning our neigh
boring town of Winthrop received tn.
baptism of fire" which falls to the in
evitable lot of towns and villages bull
Of wood, and is not any better for the
ceremony. At the hour of 3 o'clock OF
that fateful morning. fire was discovered
in the rear Of building occupied by
Mrs. Phonecie as dry goods store and
dwelling. So fearful was it's progress
that the occupants had barely time te
escape, without attempting to save any
thing, and the flames were soon running
riot over the adjoining buildings, that
on the east being o-7ned and occupied
by Geo. Jack as shoe shop, and the
building on the west by D. w. Hovey
as hardware store, and his brother
with stock Of groceries. AS the fire
kept eating east and west, the building
in which the Masonic and Workmen
Lode room was located and DR.. NJ. A.
Chamberlain's drug store successfully
fell prey to it's fury. When it was final
ly stayed, the only buildings left stand
ing on that side of the block were those
on the extreme corners, one occupied as
the post Office and the other by the
store of VIM. Hartwick, the whole in
tervening space, embracing three fourths
of the business of the town, lying in
smoking ruins. The buildings on the
opposite side of the street were in great
peril and at one time actually on fire,
but were saved by the utmost exertion.
We leave our regular correspondent at
Winthrop to give the further particu-
lars:
Ed BULLETIN:-An event frequently
predicted, but none the less sudden, has
overtaken us. Expection, however, did
little to reduce its terrors or fearful pro-
portions. The truth is, that as years
passed safely by a sense Of security
from fire seemed to possess those in
danger, although reason and all expert
epce protested against it. Everybody
here knew that in our midst was huge
mass of highly combustible material,
possessing all the conditions necessary
to confagration. Incipient fires have
occurred probably dozen times in this
row. 1t is little singular, that at last
when it did go, that the origin of the
fire is still in doubt. 1t is only known
that about 3 o'clock A. NJ, Jan. End, the
occupants of the two story store and
dwelling, used by VIM. Phonecie, found
the rear of the chambers on fire, and
with some difficulty escaped. This be-
ing near the center of the block the fire
spread on both sides with terrible rapid
ity. Before our people were generally
aroused, the fire was beyond control. A
stand was, however, made against it in
two small spaces, one on the west, near
the Post Office, and on the east near the
store of VIM. Hartwick. At these
points, by great effort, the flames were
stayed The buildings on the opposite
side of the street came near igniting, es-
pecially as the wind hurled the huge
volumes of fame almost over them.
Our H. & L. Co., boys and citizens,
even the ladies, worked with a will.
1t is evident that little chance existed
for saving goods. Everything was re-
moved from adjoining buildings, often
with considerable damage. In all, five
were consumed. Though
severely stricken, the result will be
warning to those who build hereafter.
Our people intend to keep their heads
to the zenith, fire or no fire. Mr.. Geo.
Jack is already rebuilding. A rap in the
face often stirs up community to do
better. l give the best information of
losses as follows:
j. w. Hovey, on stock, loss $4,000;
insurance $1,000.
- Hovey, stock and furniture, loss
81 900; no insurance.
r. r. Plane, on building, loss $1,000;
insurance 81 600.
Mrs. Phenicie, entire stock and furni
ture; insured for $4,000.
j. Jameson, building, loss $500; in
surance $500.
Geo. Jack, entire loss of building and
stock; no insurance
Masonic Lodge, furniture and records;
insured for 5000.
Al. A. Chamberlin. heavy stock of
groceries; no insurance.
D. D. Holaridge, as agent, building;
insurance unknown.
Did space permit we could present IA
different picture by way of news, one
presenting to the view the rosy side of
life, with all the tints of romance, in
stead of lurid flames. On this same
New Years day and evening, Mr. Edgar
Brintnall with Miss Hattie Metcalf, al
80 Mr.. Monroe Furguson with Miss rs.
sic Brown, all turned over new leaf
finding married life" written upon the
next page whose gilded surface also con-
tains the best wishes of theM many