The Portland daily press., 1882-11-08
THE FIRE.
The Experience of the Lewiston Com
panieS.

The latest reports from those interested in
the fire of Monday show the figures made by
the PRESS to be nearly correct They may diff
fer thousand or two, either way, but not
more. There was a great deal of insurance on
property on Widgery's wharf, which was not
burned, or even approached by the flames. OF
course it would be absurd to include such
among the values or insurance. For instance
the Smith heirs had perhaps $1,000 insurance
on property on Widgery's wharf and the wharf
itself, but the insurance agents-Messrs.
Charles Sparrow and Munger-said that the
property burned carried but $3.50 which was
In the Security. Yesterday Mr.. James
Smith arrived home from New York and said
our estimate of his loss-about 50 600 was near
ly correct. Then agaiu e. G. Willard & son
had $4,000 insurance on property onWidgers 8
wharf, but the insurance was on property loca-
ted in two different places. The bulk was not
reached by the flames; the remainder which
was burned was estimated by them at s., 500
but on it was policy of 81 800 in the Meridian
of Meriden, Conn.
Yesterday workmen were busily engaged car
AJAhE OAA 0Obtloj saving bl6 4IJu oiiQ OtACI a.
ticles which were not destroyed but turned in
to all manner Of shapes by the action of the
flames. The embers still smoke in places and
are guarded.
The general topic of conversation yesterday
was the necessity Of fire boat. Property own
ern like j. B. Browns Sons, the Smith heirs.
were very decided on this question, and the
opinion was backed by men who, if not possess
ing as much real estate yet do own quantities
of merchandise and form the life-blood of the
city. They praised the werk of the Belknap in
unstinted terms.
The adjusters of insurance arrived yesterday
and will commence work this morning
The Lewiston Journal gives the following
interesting experience of the Lewiston COM
pany which came to our relief:
Large crowds followed the steamers to the
Bates streei station. The engines were loaded
on fiat cars, and cleats were nailed against the
wheels to keep them in place. The train con-
sisted of an engine and tender, three fiat cars
and one passenger Car. The Auburn steamer
and the Lewiston No. steamer were loaded
on. The crowd hustled itself into the psssen-
ger car and on flats. lhere was a lively call
for Portland tickets, at the ticket office. The
crowd grew feversh as it increased.
II guess the hre'll be all out by the time we
get bu6I6y Sdl8 ODS oAclbcu mai, WHO was resi-
lessly watching the hammers drive each spike
into the cleats.
"Why don't we go?"
'tWhat's the latest from the fire?"
They say they're all burning, down there"
'By thunder, I'm goin!'' land he dashed for
the ticket ofice.]
"What are we waiting for?"
II wish I'd brought my fire hat"
81 don't believe we'll go.''
Rome didn't burn; the pope looked out for
that
All these remarks and others more or less
infiammatory, were heard, while the fremen
were buttonIng their rubber coats up to their
ehins making their engines and hose trucks
secure on the ear decks and driving off the
small boys who pertinaciously swarmed on the
fiat cars. At 20 minutes past ten, the train
was ready TO starI-Orlando Lucques, EDgin-
eer and Charles B. Annable, conductor Chief
Engineer Merrill Asst. Eng'r King and Alder
man Seth Chandler, chairman of the commit
tee on fire department., and full complement
of me were aboard, with the Lewiston steam
er and 900 feet eff hose. Chief Engineer Mil
Ter, Assistant Engineer Haskell and Wilson
with full crew of men and 1000 feet of hose
accompanied the Auburn steomer. For few
minutes, that seemed hours to the crowd the
train stood motionless on the track. AT half
past ten o'clock the following order was re-
eeived by telegraph from Supt. Tucker
PORTLAND, 9Th, 1882.
To c. z. Benson: Hold the special. They now
think will not want engines
PAYsoN TUCKER.
Five and ten minutes passed. The engine
stood on the the track and silently smoked.
Some of the tiremen pulled out their pipes and
followed it's example. But the crowd was not
SO calm. Every minute chafted them. The
word was passed around that the fire was IN
der control. The passenger car was evacuated
Suddenly the locomotive bell rang. A few
puffs of steam were heard with the changing.
A great scrambling to get on the cars ensued.
The engine and train moved toward Portland.
Goodbye shouted those on board to the
people lingering on the station platform. But
to the chargin of its passengers the train mere
ly went as far as the first switch; it then back
ed on anather track, to make way for the reg
ular passenger train, which was nearly due.
Then came another anxious wait. The crowd
pressed against the ticket Office door and win
dow, again, to catch the least scrap of news
II guess we shant 90 after ALL" was the pre-
valent idea. A few people asked Mr.. Benson
to refund the money for their tickets Every
moments delay increased the probability that
the steamers would not be needed. Even the
Conductor Annable came TO the conclusion
that he would not have to make the trip, and
laid down his punch. A large number of peo-
pie went home satisfied the train would not go.
The others chatted in the waiting room and
cracked jokes at each others expense.
At eleven o'clock, Mr.. Benson was seen sud-
denly to bend over the telegraph instrument.
The crowd knew this meant further develop
ments and held its breath till few ticks were
uodru duu MI DoueOHs kldSpihS ING bcyB eohe
an 80. X" in reply. Those few ticks which
had been unintelligible to other listeners said
to HIM
"Start the train. PAYsoN TUCKER"
Mr. Benson made motion to conduc An
nable. There was hurried shout: "All
aboard" The conductor signaled to the
gineer. The bell rang Sagain. This time it
said Portland" With brlate6 remnant of
the crowd still clinging to the rails and strug-
Cling to get aboard, The train jingied and rum
bled cut of the station.