The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-11-19
DISASTROUS FIRE.
AGGREGATE LOSS OVER FORTY THOU.
SAND DOLLARS.


The most serious fire which has ia
ken place in this town since the
war, occurred on last Monday morn
ing, little after midnight. 1t broke
out about a quarter to one O'Clock, in
the oil room in the rear of the store
occupied by Julius Levin's grocery,
and was the result of accident. A col
ored man in the employ of the propri-
et0r, was sent to fill lamp which was
exhausted, and he went into the oil
room for that purpose, and when he
had done so, match was struck to
light it-falling from his hands upon
the floor, saturated with oil, it was but
a second before the room was envel
oped in flames, which rapidly spread
to the adjoining room, occupied as
grocery, and thence to the bar and bill
lard saloon in the rear. The alarm of
fire was Immediately sounded, and the
Fire Department was promptly upon
the ground. BY this time the fire lad
forced its way to the outside, and very
soon the whole building externally,
was wrapped in a sheet Of fire. Itsoon
caught to the rear of the fine two story
frame store building, occupied by the
large dry goods store of Mrs. E. S.
Hetherwick, and all the efforts of our
gallant fire boys to save the house and
its valuable stock of general merchan-
die, including very large assort-
ment of hardware, were unavailing.-
A strong wind from the South was
blowing at the time, and it Was feared
that a general confagration might en-
sue. The fire, fortunately, was shut
in on the North by brick buildings, and
by the superhuman efforts and well
directed exertions of our citizens, who
came to the assistance of the fremen,
its progress was checked and confined
to four frame baildings, three of which
were owned by Mr.. Julius Levin, and
the other the property of Mrs. E. S.
Hetherwick, and to the three adjacent
brick buildings, two Of which were
burned to shell, the third only par
TALLY. One of the brick houses was
the property of Mr.. Fred Scheu, and
one of Mr.. Levin and the other which
was only partially burned, is the prop
erty of Mr.. Meyer " ell, of New Or
leans. A fourth, which sustained
slight damage, is owned by Mr.. Henry
Heyman.
The total loss by fire, and in the
damage to stocks by water and hand
ling is very large, aggregating about
forty one thousand dollars.
The chief sufferers are as follows
Mrs. E. S. Hetherwick, total destruc-
ton of store and stock, valued at SI5-
600, insured for $4,000. Mr.. julius
Levin four buildings, cost Sl2 900 with
stock and fixtures valued at 5000,
insurance on buildings So, 500, on stock
$500. Mr.. Fred Scheu, a brick store,
valued at $500, no insurance. Gus
tave Gellr occupied part of Mr.. F.
Scheu's building, with a fire assert
ment of fancy groceries, valued at
s4500, insured for $1,000 only, and no.
thing saved. Brick store of Meyer
We'll, damaged $1,000, brick store of
II. Heyman, $500; Messrs. Ferguson
and Schnack, jewellers, in building of
Meyer Well, damage to stock $40, no
insurance Mr.. r. Harltner, same
building, damage to stock of boots and
shoes $500.
The following business proprietors
in the immediate neighborl,ood had to
move ont and of course sustained some
damage: d. kuhnagel, Il. NJ. Bossat,
l.. Ehrstein, !. G.. White, Leon Des-
sins, Henry Johnson aud Cias. Howell. |
The total net loss will not fall below
S3.5ODD.
The loss sustained by Mrs. Hether-
wick, in the interruption of business
alone is very serious, and it is very
trying to sec the Accommodations of so
many years swept away in an hour.
Mr.. Julius Levin's loss ia also very
large, and We feel it duty to extend
them our sincere sympaihies, and to
bespeak for them tho consideration of
all who may TIC able to contribute to-
wards their re- iustateihent in business.
The citizens aud property holders of
Alexandria,, should relax no efforts or
expense to render our facilities to com
hat this much dreaded enemy with all
the odds in onr favor, which Judgment
and foresight can provide.