The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-18
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"A Fire Drsalei saf issnasy MsrninE and
s DeSastates tho CITY.
Grand Forl,:s Herald. =.

Grand Fors Herald.) &
BARrItr.r, May 14.-About one o'clock
this morning, fire broke out in Baugh-
man & Sons hardware store on Main
street, midway between Front street and
Broadway. A steady wind from the
south was blowing at the time, which
famed the small blaze into a good sized
conhagratien. The alarm was sounded
and in an increditably short space oftime
nearly every one in the town was on the
scene. Efforts were at once made to
save some of the stock of hardware but
without avail. The building being of
dry pine Throughout, not even having q
. coat of plastering to retard the flames,
they spread with inconceivable rapidity.
just south Of Baughman's store stood
Knott Bros livery stable. 1t was long
one-story building with quantity of hay
piled near it. A rush was made for the
horses and they were barely saved when
the hay ignited and in turn burned the
stables. The livery barn being on the
corner of Main and Broadway and the
street Offering safe barrier to the flames
for the valuable buildings opposite, the
course of the fire in this direction was
checked. Meanwhile it was slowly
spreading to the westward, taking in the
buildings one by one. These included
an almost solid row of one and two story
structures occupied by grocery stores,
-four and feed stores, livery stable,
agricultural implements, and terminating
on the corner with the Ramsey county
bank. The efforts of the citizens were
devoted to saving goods, as there was no
means of fighting fire with the prospect
of making the slightest impression on it,
hence no attempt was made in that
direction. When the devouring element
reached the bank corner it followed the
row of buildings westward. Nearly all
the structure in this part of the town
were two story frame, and had families
living on the second floors. Atthis point
the wind shifted a few degrees to the
westward and the fire
RACED WITH REDOUDLED FURY.
Two or three buildings were consumed
Mt once, instead Of going one by one, as
on the other street. Those who had
counted upon ample time for removing
their goods, found to their sorrow that
they were cut short Ivy less than one-haif
of the time they had confidently expected
The demands on the crowd for assistance
were many and were usually responded
to heartily. The open space near the
depot was piled and strewn with large
quantities ofgoods in the utmost con-
fusion. After the corner was turned,
short work was made of the remainder
of the buildings in the block, some of
which, were quite large. Those OH the
west side Of tho block being the last to
burn,as they were somewhat isolated
from the main mass of buildings. were so
situated, that the inmates had all oppor-
tunity to save most of their effects.
Among the establishments consumed
were three -four and feed stores, two
groceries, three gambling dens, five
saloons, two bakeries, several agricul.
t,ral implement establishments, two
small hotels, q blacksmith shop, three
livery stables, u dollar store, and quite a
number of sheds and shanties, in which
people were living or horses and stock
housed. The number ofbuildings burned
was twentyeight, which comprised about
tw"-thirtls of the business portion of the
place. The square, which was built up
nearly solid on three sides, was swept
entirely clear with the exception of three
on tbs southwest corner Of the block, one
of which was covered entirely by sheet
iron. Fortunately there were no fatall-
ties, although there we're several na,r,w
escapes, nor was any one seriously in
jured.
The origin Of the fire was not known.
Mr.. Baughlnan, in whose store it COM
mcnced, states that there had been no
fire III his store for twenty-four hours or
more previously.