The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-01-08
Fire in Chicago.

CHICAGO, Jan. One of the most disss-
trous fires that has occurred in Chicago 70,
several years occurred this afternoon. where
by the postoffce and United States military
headquarters were destroyed. The build
ing occupied by these branches of the pub
lie service was located at the corner of Dear
born and Adams streets. The fire was dis
covered shortly after 8 O'Clock, and is sup
posed to have originated in the boiler room,
Before an alarm could be turned in the
flames had gained considerable Roadway,
and shot to the upper stories. The
PosToFFcE OFFICIALS
succeeded in getting out all the letter mail
and portion of the newspapers, while the
valuable packages in the registry and money
order departments were placed in the vaults
and are in all probability secure from loss.
In less than half hour from the breaking
out of the fire the entire southern end of the
building and the upper two stories were 50
completely under the mastery of ths flames
that nothing could be done by the fire de-
partment beyond throwing water into the
lower portion Of the building and against
the walls, with the hope of preserving them
intact. l
THE HEADQUARTERS
of Gen. Sheridan which were in theSsecond
story. were abandoned before theEentire con-
tents could be removed to place Of safety,
and many valuable documents are reported
lost. The quarter1naster' Offices were in the
fifth story, and as the fire had completely cut
OF all egress from that portion Of the build
ing the four clerks there employed were fora
time placed in
THE MOST PRsOARIoUS CONDITION,
and were rescued only by the almost super
human efforts of the fire department.. 4
rope was thrown across the mansard roof o.
the burning building, and the four men sue
ceeded in reaching the street in safety. but
not until the flames had reached the windows
from which they made their exit. The
contents OF the quartermaster's offices,
including important papers, are 8
total loss in the lower story. At the soutt
end of the building were located the genera.
offices OF the Chicago & Alton railroad COM
pany. Their records were saved. The loss
occasioned by the confagration is estimated
at ..
OVER SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
The building was erected by FL. Z. Honore,
on loan OF 100000 by the Continental
Mutual Life Insurance company. Before
its completion the same company advanced
100000 additional while Honore put IL
$4,000 of his own money. Abont yeaI
ago the insurance company foreclosed the
loan, the interest amounting to $4,000,
Tho insurance reached $50, 800 in various
Eastern companies. .-s.
THE LOSS TO TEE PosroFFIcE
department is estimated at SIS 600; to the
army headquarters $4,000: to the Chicagoa
Alton Co., $4,000; to Ishatn & Lincoln, law
yers, $4,000, and to Lawrence, Paddock 4
Ives, lawyers, $1,000. About o'clock this
evening the fire was under control. But
little was left except the walls. Postmaster
Palmer had effected a lease of the new
Singer building, corner of State and Wash
ington streets, before 5 o'clock and the post
Office will be located there. The building is
secured for two years. at an annual rental
of $50, 900. --a-...zss.