The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-10-01

and the four wooden buildings and the stone
blacksmith shop to the south and east OF the
burning planning mill and stablc,-all OF which
were by this time afame. To those on the other
side OF this part OF the wreck their efforts DID not
seem very effective, though they undouN eddy
we're, for the old and dry buildings burned like
pine.knots. The only salvation for the city was
70 prevent the flames from crossing Clinton
street. Once across that street the business por'
ton OF the city or majority OF the public build
ings were doomed. All along Clinton street on
the east, the houses were covered with deter
mined men, Pals were numerous and water
being fortunately plenty, all men worked with a
will The Armour residence, corner Of Clinton
and Madison streets, was probably the key to the
position, yet was for time considerably neg
lected. But as the flames backed in behind it
almost, the danger became alarming. Should 1t
or any Of the wooden barns near by take fire, the
whole Of the block from Main to Madison was
doomed, and the work Of saving the Zimmerman
row OF one.story wooden shops made doubly diff.
fcult, since fire would have to be fought on two
sides, with the wind in the flames favor. For
tunately, pals were plenty and large clstern
filled and a well close at hand. The danger
pointed out, men were not lacking The build
ing was saved. And the same kind OF work ex-
tended all along the street facing the fire. The
flames did not cross the street.
But as the steamer worked behind and by tear
ing down sheds and hard work on the "nigger
row." the flames were kept from Main street,
they were working rapidly northward toward the
canal The cribs OF the old wareh ouse were soon
ALL al tba aad 81 aba "a
house, and, on the other side Of Fulton street,
the city calaboose, Jos. Megatlln's barn, his
house, Mrs Cashman's house, the Cushman
house, the Macarthur house. There it stopped
for an instant.
From the moment the location Of the fire was
seen, the workmen at Gay & Sons carriage fac
tory were sent to the roof. The whole estab-
lishment q block long, with a single roof was
kept constantly wet. This work saved the build
ing, though many of the carriages and buggies in
the stock will have to be repanted Here, at
Jefferson street, had the department been in full
working condition, the flames might have been
subdued. They were checked for but minute,
however, for soon the Strawn & Powell ware
house north of the street took fire, making an
intensely hot blaze, communica ing with cribs
close by, which men for som, una2countable
reason would not pull down, though imPlored
TO do so. The John Leonard house, protected
by the Gay carriage works, escaped the scorch-
Ing heat and was saved. From the sheds, how.
ever, which were not torn down, as they should
have been, the Games passed to VIM. Graham's
house and barn. thence to the Geo. Thompson
house, and thence to the Hahn wagon factory,
l. I'D tI,a ,,,l 4
the ashes carried away on the wings OF the Wind,
leaving but naked foundation to mark the spots.
While yet the flames were passing up the street
from the Egan barn, the heavens were overcast
with thunder cloud, and just before the rain
fell the wind blew q hurricane. 1t was but a
squal, but it was fearful while it lasted. All
hope seemed at an end. 1t seemed useless to
work against such fearful odds of wind, whose
power to spread the fire to remote and unpro-
tected parts of the city seemed boundless. Strong
men were almost ready to give up. But pres
emily down came the rain; and as the great drops
fell from one end of the street to the other there
arose one grand cheer Of hope renewed and a
thousand cries, "Thank God"
When the flames had almost exhausted them
selves, having been checked at Jackson street,
partly by reason OF lack of fuel west Of Fulton
street and by hard work on the county jail build
ings, and when tired workers had begun to think
Of resting sharp clangor from the bell OF the
Baptist church sounded new alarm! Forum.
tunately, the fire on that church's roof was soon
extnguished, and without damage.
A description OF all the incidents Of this fear.
ful fre-the most serious Ottawa has been called
on to fght-would fill . volume. The rapidly
with which it travelled was marvellous. But few
brick or stone buildings were encountered by it..
There was nothing to check it when once a
building was fairly attacked by it. SO rapidly
did it travel that furniture had to be taken from
threatened dwellings in the most reckless man.
ner. The streets were full Of goods From most
houses they were taken out without order, sys
tenn or care, carried into the street and set down
at the place most convenient to the bearer. In
consequence goods were dreadfully mixed-more
thoroughly and effectualy than Little Butt err
cups babies, for in most cases there was no dis.
ENHANCEMENT of the mixture. Scarcely any own
er found all of his property, did not find
the half; and even as late as Monday goods could
still be found on the streets in different parts OF
the city There was probably more loss on fur
niture in this way and from the rain after the y
were taken from the houses than from fire,
though enough was burned. Many families liv-
ing on the east side Of Clinton street also had
furniture damaged by removal when their homes
were threatened.
The horses in Degen's barn were all removed.
At Egans barn the horses and rolling stock were
removed His sleghs, household furniture and
piano, above, were all burned. The Ottawa Bot
tie and Flint Glass Co. had crib near the Ar
mour warehouse filled with stock Some of this
was cast into the canal, but only little was
saved, for the smaller packages were carried
though the canal and shed into atoms as they