The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-10-19
VISIT OF THE FIRE F1DND.
Burning Of w. r. Goodfenows Red
Store and w, u. Cavileer's
House On stuttsman s.
sfisE 4sS Street, 81

On Tuesday morning little after three
O'Clock. citizens in the neighborhood Of
the Red Store were awakened BY the cry
OF fire issuing nom the residence Off. j.
Strong, the house owned by w. NJ. Cavi-
leer. Inafew minutes the ringing Of
church bells brought thejwhole town 70
the scene ofthe fire. Before any con-
certed effort could be brought to bear,
the flames had taken possession Of the
kitchen and had already begun to break
through the windows and ether openinsss
A line was formed to the nearest well,
and water was also carried from other
wells, but it was soon found that the task
ofsaying the building was hopeless, and
efforts were directed to saving the con-
tents and the protection Of the Red Store
on the west and Jud. Winchester'a build
ing on the east. The occupants of the
house at the time were Mr.. and Mrs. R.
J. Strong, Mr.. Barnwell, Mr.. and Mrs. J.
Y. Mcintyre and the servant girl. The
women clad in informal costume escaped
to neighboring house, while the men
went to work to save bedding, wardrobes,
furniture, ETC., in!which' they were only
partially successful, as the heated air
and smoke soon became suffocating.
Meantime the crowd outside were busy,
some applying water vigorously upon the
side and roof of Winchester's building,
another portion similarly engaged at the
Red Store, while others were trying to
run two.or three why's at once, or stand
ing with their mouths wide open in
perfectly silent awe. Pembina's fire
brigade had it's first drill and the boys
went about their work in a highly i'm
promptu and miscellaneous fashion. The
veering Of the wind toward the west
-ooded ill for the Red Store. Attempts
were made to climb the roof from the
front veranda but without success. Nj.
Goodfellow had a long ladder, but it
could not be found. By this time the
burning building began to exert the
power of its terrible heat. It would,
tnleed have required copious supply of
water to protect ths Kea 5s66ffee Store nu&& ron the
scorching heat. All the While squad
were at work removing the stock from
the store. Presently brand from the
burning house started little blaze on
tlie roof of the Red Store and then it's
Doom was sealed, and all further efforts
bent towards saving the contents and
loose property. Tho upper
story, used as a Masonic lodge was cleared
of itseontents, the furniture and emblems
beingWostly saved. The bulk of the
goods below were rescued, we believe,
and when nothing more could be done
the crowd withdrew to witness the final
work of destruction. Fortunately the
roofs of Buildings were damp and the
wind was At no time high; but had it
blown from the west it is hard to say
what would have been the consequences.
Some think Nthe whole block from
Yerxa's to McTayish & Webb's could not
have been saved. The following are the
estimated losses: w. R. Goodfellow's
store, 81 800; insurance, 81 200 stock,
81 500, which will be fully covered by in
surance, the entire stock of boots, shoes
and groceries being insured at $4,000. Mr..
and Mrs. R. j. Strong's loss on furniture,
bedding etc. is about $1,000 of which
they will recover 81 900 insurance, prob
ably, Mr. Mrs. J. V, Mcintyre lost about
$500 worth of clothing and other articles.
No insurace. ]. D. Barnwell lost about
800 worth of clothing.
II: Fort Pembina.
The arrival Of the Inspector General is
lOoked for ac>on