The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-07-15


Tho alarm OF fire brought our citizens
ont In hurry Mt about 1890 o'clock las
Monday morning. a fro had broken oul
In the rear part OF the Pacific Opera House
large frame building OF Second street
between Brodalbin and Ferry, nnd as II
was as dry ~ tlndor tho flames had burst
through tho roof and completely envelop.
cd the whole house before water could be
thrown upon II. Tho firemen were out In
hurry, and did noble work. No. Ones
hose, which was first on tho ground was
taken TO the now bydrant and from thcro
into the alley. where tho stream arrived
Just In time 10 check the advance Of tho
fire and save tho range OF frame buildings
on First street. Tho flames bad already
caught In tho barn near thaOpera-J louise,
and had crossed The alley and got good
start In tho rear or Simpsons agricultural
implement warehouse, but the hydrant
stream put quietus upon IL. After lay
Ing tho hoso from the hydrnnt. No. Ones
hose Garage joined the engine nj Dannals,
corner, and tho company aoon had
stream playing on Canon's livery stable,
which was In flames, hut was saved with
out much trouble. No. Iwo's set their
steamer at tho cistern mt the odd Follows
Temple and sont in "a uagnfgcent stream
on the rear of tho Opera House, which
soon caused the flames 10 cease their mad
leaping skyward. Rescue Hook and
Ladder Company worked hithfully in
every quarter, aud did valiant service,
giving the cagino companies such assis-
tance ~ enabled th0m % stay the advance
OF tho flames "A great deal quicker than
thay would havo done had their been no
"hooks" on the ground. Chief Webber
handled tho fro as only an experienced
fireman can, and brought the streams TO
bear where they would do the most good.
He was ably seconded by the Assistant,
Henry j. Clark, who for quite awhile
had complete charge OF the operations on
Second street. This was the most narrow
escape Albany has had from large and
disastrous connagration for many Year,,
and II In the greatest wonder In the world
that tho flames did not force their way clear
through the block ~ First street. Tn O
Opera House was surrounded on all side 3
by frame buildings, eight OF which caught
fife baforo tho flames were finally exiin-
gulshed. The success which attended the
labors Of tho hremsn IL duo 10 tho first
class apparatus which the city has proyid-
cd, and 10 the almost superhuman and
we'll directed efforts of our FIRE boys.
When thoy first met tho fire ia the alley,
tho temperature was almost taual Ia
fiery furnace. The fro had crossed the
alley and was getting start OH tile other
side. Hers was whore the fight had TO Le
made, and the boys stuck To IL manfnlly
until they had Il confined To the building
from which Il started, but in tho contest
many blister was raised, and several
large leather firo bats burned 10 n crisp
on their heads. Had The lre not been
checked right where IL was the los, TO
this city would have been Immense. and
In this ono battle our fifo apparatus has
paid foE Itself many times over
The Opera HOUSE was n frama bniiding,
ono story high, IOxi00 feet. and "a. built
10y David FToman soms eight 90 l.,it year.
ago, and still owned hv bun It~aSWorth
probably $500. sud-w.- MT insured.
Mr.. Froman II In The ~, ,n..rains q, Lover
soda.
We cannot 81 80 Ni h0uL speaking ln
praise OF the i.adls4 Coir,s club. Il wac
organized some time ago by the ladies of
our city for the purpose Of Furnishing The
dremen with tea and coffee at fires, and
last Monday morning was tho first time
they have had the opportunity Of putting
heir good Intentions into execution. A
dozen or so Of the members were on hand,
and although meeting with many difiieul,
ties, they soon had boilers full OF hot coffee
and tea at the engine house, aud many a
tired and wet fireman was minisiered 10
by these kind ladies. The only thing we
noticed that was not just right was that
great many hoodlum boys and mon who
had not worked q lick crowded In aud
drank 30 much that several oftho firen.en
could get mono. The ladies are very much
incensed at this, and will puarl against
II the next time.