Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-05
DISASTROUS FLAME.
An Elegant and Costly Residence on Sum.
NIT Avenue Completely Destroyed
Maurice Auerbach the Occupant-The
Ruildiu4 Owned hy Mrs. @. C. Green.

Building Owned by Mrs. o. C. Green.
A few minutes before o'clock yesterday af-
ternoon the odor of smoke was detected by
Mrs Maurice Auerbach IN one of the second
story apartments of her residence, No. 159
Summit avenue. Becoming alarmed she
called man servant and directed him to inves-
tigate the matter, which he did without salts
factory results. Shortly afterwards the apart
ments became filed with smoke, and this time
it became evident that the house was on fire.
The inmates of the house seemed to appreci-
ate the emergency Of the situation, and an
alarm of fire was turned in from box No. g.,
at the corner of Third street and Summit ave-
nue.. The alarm was somewhat vague or in.
definite, and several minutes elapsed before the
fire was located. Further delay was occa-
stoned by the heavy condition of the steep
grade at st. Anthony hill, and it was impossi-
Die to make the ascent with the heavy appara-
tus of the department without doubling up.
On reaching the location of the fire, the de-
partment encountered an almost insuperable
difficulty, caused by the scarcity of water.
The cistern, the only source of supply, being
situated at the junction of harrington and
Se1by avenues, was half mile from the fire,
and for the first three quarters of an hour
only one stream could be brought into requi-
sition.
The house, magnificent two-story and
mansard frame dwelling, was constructed in
modern gothic style, with bay windows, elab
orate cornices and profIlse ornamentation in
woodwork, thus making highly infammable
structure. For an hour after the alarm was
turned in, however, aside from the smoke,
here were no indications of fire outside.
Within the fire made slow but sure head
way. Originating in the basement, from some
defect in the furnace, the flames shot up the
fues and registers, forming a current of
fire from cellar to attic. The fire. thus
started, was famed by constant current of
air
Before breaking out it was confined to the
north wing of the building, the place where it
originated This was fortunate from the fact
that it gave opportunity for the removal of
the furniture. A large crowd of citizens were
soon on the grounds, who with the police
force rendered effectual service in removing
the furniture.
Hon. H. NJ Rice, father of Mrs. Auerbach,
and who occupies the adjoining residence on
the south, directed that the furniture be stored
in his house. A large force of citizens lent
willing assistance in the work of removing
the furniture and valuables, which were, with
a few exceptions, moved to place of safety.
In the meantime the department worked
manfully to subdue the flames, but, with
q stiff breeze from the west, and, in the alb
|
but little headway.
Mr. Maurice Auerbach was at Minneapolis
when the fire broke out, and he received the
intelligence by telephone. Taking the first
train down he arrived at the scene of the fire
about $50 o'clock.
The fire was not wanting in incidents and
some of the scenes were highly ludicrous.
An army of excited men and boys were en-
gagged in removing the furniture, which gave
rise to great confusion. Men rushed from the
building bearing articles of rare merit and
value. Here a valued painting would be
placed check by jowl with some article of car
pet furniture, and there an expensive vase
would hobnob with door mat.
About 8 O'Clock the fire burst from the
windows and openings in the roof, and from
that time it became apparent that the building
was doomed.
It burned slow but persistently, and at
nightfall the entire neighborhood was bril-
liantly illuminated. At 9 o'clock the blaze
was not extinguished, and at midnight the
once beautiful dwelling was nothing but
leleton of unsightly ruins.
The building and furniture was owned by
Mrs O. c. Green, widow of the late Charles
Schefer, and was rented and occupied by Mr..
Auerbach. A valuable library owned by the
latter and his wearing apparel, pictures, sill
YER, etc, were mostly removed.
The structure was built about ten years hgo
by Mr.. Earl S. Goodrich at cost of $50, 600
and was afterwards purchased by Mr.. Scheffer.
The furniture, which was mostly recovered,
was valued at several thousand dollars. The
loss on the latter mostly arises from dam
age caused by it's hasty removal. The
building at present was valued at much less
than it's original cost,
INSURANCE.
The insurance is as follows,
Building, owned by Mrs. o. G. Green;
with s. 8. Eaton--North American,
Philadelphia. ........................ 5000
Queen of England. d.................. 5000
Springfield, Fire and Marine, Mass. 1000
st. Paul Fire and Mariue ........ 5000
Total ................. SIS, 900
CONTENTS.
Furniture, wearing apparel, etc, Mrs.
o. c. Green; Manhattan Fire, New
L OTks ..'V @,0Vo
Manufacturers Fire and Marine, Bos