The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-09-21
A Fearful conAagratiol,.
KOehler's Corner, the Post Office
and James IL. Smiths Resi-
dence in Ashes.
Loss Fully $40, ,0OO-.Insurance S4,.
500 on Buildings and Contents.

On Saturday last, at "a O'Clock P. NJ,
the cry of "Fire! Fire!' resounied
through Woods6eld, and the Court
House bell rang out loud an clear to
warn the people that the devouring ell
ment was al work rendering some of our
friends and neightors huuseless and
homeless.
Ready and willing hands were soon
at work at the post office and res :
depce of Mrs. SINCLAIR, where the fire
originated, the residence and store room
OF F. KorHLFR ami the residences Il
JAMES R. SMITH, carrying out store
and household goods, stamps. letters,
papers, DC
The flames made sncl, beadway against
the bucket brigade hat all hope of saw
ins the buildings of Mrssrs. KoEHLER
and SMITH was speedily abandoned, and
the efforts of all hands were directed to
save the residence Of P. ScHUM ,cnER,
Sr., Immediately north OF SMITHS, and
that of ROBERT Pope, east OF KoEHLER 8,
on the adjoining lot; also the stables on
that side of the alley.
The work 10 save these buildings was
successful after fight thar covered
brave m,n and fair women with h0uor
for their untiring efforts. At one time
the fence between PoPE's liouse and cosl
house was bnrning fierc " nnd MANY d.
clared that the house ard other build
ngs in that vicinity won d Lave to 90;
but the determined men and women en-
gagged in carrying and throwing water
kept steadily at volk and fought tue tire
Sd well taat all The buildings on Pores
side at the allev were saved, although
the damage TO several, from water, was
considerable.
The stables Of KoEHLER and SMITH
were both burned doSn, and it was from
these that the danger csme to PoPE's and
other property in the east.
Up on the Square, in the meantime,
the flames were flashing and roaring in
the frame buildings, where they started.
to degree hat appalled, the stnutest
hearta and caused women and children
10 60 about wringing their hands ana
screaming fearfnlly. The din aud up
roar was terrible. When will it stop
and where was question often asked.
At one time the bank building was
threatened and 10 few moments men
we're placed on the roof with buckets of
water TO guard it. Also, the same pre-
cautions were taken with the DR.aGs
Hotel, H. r WEsT's house and office,
Mrs. T. SINcLAIR's aud A. SoHUMA
cHER's. .sg
About O'Clock The roof of A. ScRU-
MAcHER's shop was discovered TO he
blszng at lively late, but ladder,
and a few buckets OF water soCn put a
stop TO it. When the buildings fell in
pieces of burning wood were carried
north as far as Mrs Cocks residence,
and had the several huildings north net
been well watched the town from
ScHUMAcHKR's would have been one
sheet OF fame, which no effort Of our
people could have stayed.
At 4 O'Clock nothing was left Of
KoEHLER's and SMITH buildings, except
four tall cbimneys, towers of the disas-
ter. and the smoking ruins The loss
falls heavily upon The Messrs KoEHLER
and Mr. ssdITH Most OF the house,.
bold goods were removed, also The store
goods. but many of them were in q dam
aged and broken condition.
Mrs SINCLAIR lost box OF quilts
and bed clothing, and she and her daugh-
ter, Miss N. E SINCLAIR, lost all OF their
wearing apparel, valued at not less than
$3.50 Mr.. N KoEHLER lost his library,
book case, bureau and clothing. and a
sum of money which was locked up in
q drawer
Tie insurance On Mr.. KoEHLER's 3
dwelling was $1,000. and $1,000 on his
store goods Mr., SMlTH's house was
insured for $500. and his household
goods for S400.
The men worked like regular fire.
fends, many rlsking their lives in their
efforts to save property and stay the
progress OF the flames, while the female
portion Of our population Wed with the
male portion to affect the same result
Many weak women suddenly became
strong and carried goods and water I'M
Ill the fire had been subdued One citi-
zen remarked :--"Gad never created
better or braver set OF women than
Woodsfield can boast of having" An
other said :-"Whv, we couldn't have
saved ScHUMAcHER's if the women rhad
not been here to keep US supplied with
water xT
All honor to the noble, brave women
OF Woodsied!