Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
BOstOn's Big Blaze.


The most destructive fire which has visited
Boston since the great fire Of 1873 occurred on
Sunday evening, when fire was discovered in the
extensive paper warehouse OF Rice Kendall &
Co., No. 81 Federal street. The alarm was
quickly given and nearly the entire force OF the
city's fire department was turned out; but, al
| though the firemen worked calamity, and the
supply OF water was ample the fire was not
quenched until four OF the largest and handsomest
blocks in the city, rented to nearly a score Of
business firms, were entirely destroyed involving
loss estimated at not less than two millions Of
dollars.
The fire was first discovered at about eleven
O'Clock in the evening and WAS well under head
way before water could be got upon it, as the
blocks were all locked for the Sabbath. 1t was
five-story granite structure. The basement ground
floor and first story were occupied by Messrs
Rice, Kendall & Co., extensive dealers In paper OF
all kinds This firm carried large stock which
was entirely destroyed, and their probable loss
cannot be far short OF 100000. On this there
was an ample insurance, principally in home Of
fees The other portions OF the buildng were
occupied by the Ashton Valve Company, whose
loss is estimated at 5000; Ephraim Baker book
Y. Crowel, book-binder, and D. Faulkner g. Co,
dealers in wool Abbott has a standing policy Of
$1,000 to cover stock in his hands for binding and
his tools, $50 OF this sum being applied to the
latter Crowes loss, In TOOLS machinery and
stock, is estimated at $1,000, which is fully COW
cred by the insurance, while Faulkner's loss Is
trifiing the premises being occupied by him as an
office merely. The building was owned by the
heirs OF George T. Bgelow and others, and its re-
cent valuation was S72, 900.
The structure which was next attacked by the
fierce element was the well-known Franklin
building, located at the corner of Federal aud
Franklin streets. This structure is OF sandstone
and five stories in height The lower or ground
floor is occupied by the Dillingham; Paper Com
pany, G. Schenck & Co., James S. Munroe and
John Carter & Co., all dealers in paper; the base
ment Is occupied as restaurant by G. +. Taylor
& Co., and the remainder Of the building--the
upper stories-are occupied by the we,l-known
printing firm OF Rand, Avery & Co. The south
erly end OF this building scorched, the strong
and thick partition wall presenting an effectual
barrier to the progress Of the flames In that direc
ton. Some of the contents were damaged by
water, which, at one time, was freely poured In
Rand, Avery Co.'S stock and machinery, esti-
mated at $4,000, was somewhat damaged by
water.
The Cathedral building on the corner OF Devon
shire and Franklin streets was a stately structure
and was the next to suffer, the fire working its
way into this from the rear. The North National
Bank occupied the ground floor and in the base
ment were three tenants; Clafiin & Brown, paper
and twine; John Dillingham;, paper; and Charles
E. Perry. paper cutting machines The upper
portion OF the building was occupied by S. D.
Warren Co, paper dealers; W, +. Brown Il
Co., printers; the Heliotype Printing Company
and Messrs Houghton, osgood & Co., the we'll
known publishers The latter firm carried stock
OF 5000 900 and is fully insured The other losses
in this building will figure up to total OF at least
$4,000 more, most OF the property being insured
The building was owned by the heirs OF Isaac
Rich, and was valued at $1,000 Haplin &
Brown, paper and twine dealers, occupied the
basement, and McGrath Brothers & Co., dealers
in boots and Shoes had an office at 2is Devon
shire street The ground floor on the DeSonshire
street front was occupied as Union Express Office
| in which nearly one hundred companies had their
headquarters. Whatever OF goods were on this
floor were hauled away to place OF safety in
wagons. The Iieliotype Printing Company oc-
cupied the whole top floor OF this building They
ran about thirty-fye presses, which were totally
destroyed. These were worth about 500 each
On the southern corner, facing Devonshire street.
were stored $4,000 worth OF heliotype prints,
which were ready for delivery.
The stately iron-front building facing Winthrop
Square was next attacked by the flames from the
rear, and for long time the stout stone walls
sisted their approach The intense heat, however.
caused the iron shutters to crumble like paper,
and ere long the structure was In flames. The
ground floor was occupied by Pierce, Hardy 4
Co., which firm had stoc., on hand consisting OF
woolens and commission goods, valued at about
$50 600, which Is fully insured mostly In foreign
offices. Some of their stock was saved, but 1t
was a tribe compared to that which was lost
The upper stories were occupied by Messn.
spahlding 4 Tewksbury, dealers In paper and
straw board and Davis Lake Allen, dealers In
clothing This latter firm occupied three floors
and carried large stock. Their loss will not fall
short Of $500, 900, This building was valued at
| $50 900 and was insured
IL WAS fortunate that there were no serious ac-
cidents, as, at one Lime Il seemed exceedingly
probable there would be. The losses, we are glad
TO learn, were nearly all covered by insurance, In
what are supposed TO be reliable companies. Ii
will necessarily be some time, however, before
business can be resumed by the burncd-out firms
! ~ before the ire