The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-04-01

About 2;30 o'clock Wednesday morning II
was discovered by tho night watehman that
the building OF the west side of Ferry st,
between First and Second, was on fire. II
was story and half frame with an addi-
ton on tho south side, and occupied as a
general store, by Kwong Nov and Co., Chi
neso ''Charlie," wol known here, being the
manager. Various accounts OF the first out
break of the fire are circulated, but as near
as we can learn il was in the ebaek part Of the
building, and when discovered by tho watch
was we'll under way. Several Chinamen
were at work at it with a small hose. but
the stream had no effect whatever on the
flames which spread rapidly and soon cnvel.
oped the entire back portion Of the building.
The alarm was given, and as usual, our fire
department responded promptly and worked
nobly Every effort was made to save the
building. and Mt last tho ire was checked,
leaving, however, only the charred and black
oned ruins. During the fire every fireman
was at his post, everything we'll managed
3ilN hlN btek UNIV Nhab Nhdtu h2 NbAht hh
old tlrc insurance man. Col. j. Il. Bush. Jr..
OF Portland. in the city on business connect
ed with the loss in the Van Clevo building
spoke in terms OF the highest praise Of the
effective work done by the department. and
remarked that no had seen many fires but
none better managed than this one. Tho
Chinese goods comprising the stock in the
store. were almost entirely destroyed. They
were, however. well insured for $500 in tho
Home Mutual insurance Co, Burkhart
Bros. agts. Col. J. Is. Bush. Jr.. is tho
company's adiuster, and will probably attend
to the adjustment OF tho loss at once, as he
ia now in the city. The building was owned
by MIR. Peter Schlosser. aud was insured in
the Hamburg Bremen" Ins. Co. for $3.50.
The building is probably total loss.
Many rumnra arc current about the origin
Of the tire. Some have IL that Charlie was
largely indebted to the Portland branch Of
the firm aud needed money. Others say
that many goods had been removed the day
previous aud consequently the fire wsuid be
a profitable ono. II some Of our rumor.
mongors would investigate matters little
thdy would see how ridiculous the latter
statement is. as there could be NO chance for
any profit ia tho matter even II goods had
been removed II would only save 80 much
for the insurance company, and In no way
benefit the insured ltseems u bo quito the
custom for sono people 10 throw out iusisu-
ationa whenever \ fire occurs, Of a character
that arc calculated 20 iniure somebody and
that are in most cases wholly basolsss. II
is always easy to SEQ something that locks
terribly suspicious anl needs investigating.
etc, etc. We would suggest to such parties
that a reward has been offered by the Board
of Fire Undsrwritors of $500 10 any person
whatever whs will unearth and convict any
person oi arson whether the property
burned Is nhupcd or rot. Now then wc do
not wish in any way 10 retard investigation
OF such matters, but think these street ru.
mors We have referred 10 arc very siliy al.
fairs altogether, aud mention the above rc.
ward as available by any one who has real
facts aud ground work H. bas- his terrible
auwtsttst1t.m