Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-26
FIRE IN HAIIOWEII.


NJ ABOUT o'clock Thursday morning. IN
@'Arn OF fire was sounded, and soon 4 H..
es"e evident that the American Natiopa,
Dan. building, in the second story of which
'ne nre was discovered, would be utterly ID.
.'ioyed The wind was blowing gale from
tne northwest, and before the engines conld :.
piaced IN position for effective service. the
nie mao made rapid Roadway, completely en-
e'op'ng Masonic Hall, in the third story Of
'ne building, and threatening the destruction
not only OF the bank building. but adiacen,
eioc.s. ny almost superhuman efforts Of the
nle department, assisted by our citizens gen.
e,aIy' the fre was confined TO the hsnL
o.oc., tnough all the stores in the immedia,e
~ ,,cihity were cleared of goods. Mr.. Nin.rd
= occupied the north store of the
DiocH as dry goods and fancy
good store Goods mostly removed in =
damaged condition. The South store va. oc-
cupied oy the American National Bank. and
vas pretty thoroughly burned out. though the
enects OF the bank were not materially In.
}ured: The second story was occupied bv
", >. 1. Chase, dentist, on the north. and
Dy herbert Blake as a Law Office on the south
nele was also dress-makers shop on the
secoho moor. The entire third story
vas occupied BY the masonic fraternity, and
meeting had been held in their rooms the
previous evening. Nothing of value was
saved from the second and third stories and
the loss may be considered total.
we learn that the loss cannot he
less than from ten to $1,000. A
steam nre engine arrived from Augusta in
season TO and in preventing the spread of the
n.e ana quenching the smoking ruins. The
block will undoubtedly be rebuilt at once
AS near as we can ascertain the loss NAV be
estimated as follows: On building $1,000.
furniture and fixtures of bank $1,000: Minard
Roberts on stock, about $1,000; DR.. I. r
Chase $500; Herbert Blake, law library and
office furniture, 800: Masonic Lodge, sl5O0:
chapter, $1,000; Council $500; total by
rough estimate, Sl2, 200. The goods of Mes.
srs Warner, johnson and Atkins were NOV
ed, involving loss by damage of several
thousand dollars
The masonic fraternity lose all their rec
ords from 1916 to the present time also all
regaiia, &c. Surrounding buildings were
but little damaged though the danger was i'm
minent. There was insurance on the bank
building to the amount of $4,000; Roberts.
$1,000; Blake, $500; Masonic fraternity,
$3.50; Warner, Dry Goods, $4,000; johnson.
groceries, Sll0O; Atkins, boots and shoes,
$3.50; Dr. Chase, no insurance
The want Of steam fire engine was pain
fully apparent; as the height of the building,
and the necessity of continuous and volumi-
nous streams of water rendered it almost i'm
possible for two hand engines to successfully
cope with the devouring element The fire.
men, however, as usual, worked with a will,
and are entitled to great credit
for efficiency in time of emergency Mr.
5. F. Davenport rendered valuable aid by
running hose from his steam pump situated
in his sewing machine establishment a few
blocks north, on Water street. A liberal col
lation was furnished the tiremen of the city
and Augusta, at City Hall. after the fire, was
subdued. Many of our citizens and others
from various surrounding localities, yester-
day viewed with regretful interest the ruins
of the previous nights confagration.