Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-08
ANOTHER TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR
FIRE.
Cushnoc Heights Visited by the Fire
Iirnd.

Cushnoc Heights Nisud by the Fire
Eirnd.
Again the alarm bell sounded on Saturday, half
an hour past noon, the fire being this time on
Cushnoc heights. The information was quite gen.
orally circulated that it was confined to single
house. and this was believed, the alarm suhsid'
ed, and people who had started for the heights
turned back to their homes. They were soon called
out again, however. by the loud and continuous
shrieks Of the factory whistle, with chorus
from the whistles of the steamers, added
to the startling rumor - "Cu-hnoc heights
is all burning up" The fire fend checked only
temporarily, aroused itself for conquests, and
spread rapidly from house to house borne forward
by . high wind, until five wooden dwelling houses
were laid low, and ten families deprived of their
homes.
The scene OF the fire was on the east side of
Washington street the fire originating in the two
story tenement house owned by Mrs. NJ. b IIodg-
rs, milliuer, and occupied by three families. The
fire took about a stove pipe which was run
out of . window, in the part occupied by Mr..
Mari. His family, with those of Messrs Murch
and Ward, in the same house. seeing that the
house must be destroyed, made an attempt to save
their furniture and succeeded in most cases.
When the fire was first discovered, hand engine
well manned and with plenty of water, would have
extinguisbed it in short time. The FIRE then
spread to the next house north, the story and a
half cottage Of Charles II. Hodgkin-. His house
ell and stable, all in nice repair, were consumed.
Most of the furniture was saved. The wall, of
the main house still standing, but may : well
hava haa kn, g.. cf
is concerned. We understand that Mrs. sylvester
also occupied tb, house. About the same time that
Hodg kus house took fire communi ted to the
next house south which was 10 close proS unity, a
two story house owned by Benz Clark of Pittston
and occupied by Mrs. Mahans, known as the
Iongfellow house, the tenant having removed
from the other half. A portion of the furniture
was saved. The fire crawe1 with stealthy steps
to the next story and a half cottage Of Frederick
A. Brann, which was occupied by Mr.. Braun and
Mr. Eben T. Blashell. A part of the furniture
was saved. Although the walls of the house are
standing, the hailding is ruined. This house
stood on the corner of little lane leading east,
and next to it wa. the house of Mr. Thomas Bsk-
er, and this house next in flames. But little
of it is left standing. The furniture was
saved in a damaged condition. The fire
was checked at this little lane. A row of maple
trees in front Of Bakers and Browns houses,
formed most effective barrier, and these afforded
shelter to the fremen, notably among whom were
the members of the disbanded Pacific company,
taking their water from the steamer "Cushnoc,'
which steamer as well as the "Dr. Ill.," were
promptly on the spot, and showed by their works
that they were adequate to any demand that
might be made upon them. The Atlantic Com
pany were also hand, as usual, and
worked like Trojans There were but
two reservoirs from which to draw water, Of
capacity of three hundred hog,heads each.
These were occupied by the two steamers, which
exhausted the water in the course of an hour aud
q half. The fire threatening to sweep the entire
street, the Mayor sent for the steamer Fire FLY at
the arsenal, and Major Farley promptly respond.
ed. The steamer was stationed at Bond Brook,
and kept the reservoir supplied for the use of the
steamer Cushnoc. The CDR. Ilill' was taken to
the river, and forced with the greatest ease, two
streams Of water up the hill, a distance of one
hundred feet. and on to the fire. Acting Chief
Engineer Harlow, whose management of the fire
was excellent, sent for the Torrent Company Of
Hallowell, and they responded most gladly. and
worked with a will. sho wing most friendly feel
ing.
Finally, the efforts of the fremen were reward
ed and the flames stayed, but at one time, the
pect of affairs was extremely threatening. The
houses for wide area were cleared of then furni-
ture; the high wind carried the frebrsnds for
nearly half mile. and most every house had
some one upon its roof putting out fire.
The entire loss by the fire is 50 200; insur-
snce, 81, 400. stated as follows