Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-01-21
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
Entered at the POstoffice at Cheboygan
Mich, as Second Glass Matter.
SATURDAY. JANUARY 21, 1882.
MONDAYS FIRE.
Four Buildings Burned = COntent t.
Mostly Saved-GOOd Work Pre-
vents "a Destructive C0nflag ration.


vents "a Destructive Confiagration.
About 4 o'clock Monday afternoon the
building on Third street occupied as a
saloon by John McCuaig was discovered
to lie on fire, it having caught from
defective flue and was burning under
the roof. The alarm was given and
soon the fire department and large
crowd of citizens were on hand to assist
in staying the progress of the flames,
Unfortunately the engine was was first
stationed at the tank at the corner of
Main and Third streets, which it was
found would not supply the engine. This
necessitated a move to obtain full sup
ply and the engine was taken to the
bridge where water could be obtained
from the river. This delay was fatal for
the chance to save the building or any
portion of it, as it enabled the fire to
gain such headway that by the time
they succeeded in getting water the
whole upper portion of the building was
in flames and threatening destruction
to the adjacent property, and at one
time it looked as if general conflagra-
tion could not be averted, it being sur
rounded by wooden structures, all in
close proximity. Seeing the building
which first took fireand those Immediate
ly adjoining were doomed, the main eff
fort was directed to cOnfine the fire to
them and prevent it spreading beyond,
and this, by the heroic efforts of the fire.
men and citizens, was accomplished, al
though it was a close call for John
GOulden's building and the house on the
corner of Third and Water streets, which
were on fire a number of times. The
buildings burned were the saloon build
ing, owned by Mrs. Calvin, small
building east of IL owned py Vim. Erratt
and occupied by Mr.. McCuaig as a cloth
ing store; John Goulden's barn and a
barn belonging TO the property occupied
by Mr.. Peter SpOOner. The contents Of
the saloon and clothing store were saved,
but on account Of the haste with which
it was removed, it wa" more or less dam
aged. LIE Gault's building on the 0ppO-
site side of Third street was badly
scorched and was only saved from burn
ing by the means of Mr.. lie Gault's force
pump which did excellent work. The
loss amounts to between $4,000 and $3,-
600 with no Insurance.
Mr.. McCuaig had been negotiating for
the sale of his stock Of clothing to
Ralph Brown and the papers for
the transfer were all drawn
having been just completed by Mr.. s. H.
Taylor, at Bell & Adams, but not signed
as Mr.. Brown wanted to show them to
his brother, James j. Brown, to see If
they were all right and he and Mr.. Nc
Cuaig had just started for Mr.. Browns
office when the alarm was given. This
makes the third time the saloon build
ing had taken fire, and proved "the third
time and out" 1t is conceded by all
that our village was extremely fortu-
nate in having the fire confined to the
buildings that were burned. This was
due to the good work that was done and
the fact that what little breeze there
was came from the northwest, the only
favorable quarter there was, had it been
from any other direction, we fear moth
ing could have prevented much great
er destruction of property.
One thing demonstrated itself clear
ly and that was desire on the part of
too many to be chief of the FIRE depart
ment. Orders came from all sides and
this only tended to confusion. AS long
as there is chief appointed he should
have charge. If he proves incompetent
let him be removed and somebody else
appointed to the position.
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