The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1883-11-21
FIRE. -
TWO BUILDINGS IN THE HEART
or TO WV DFeTROYE,D


About half past eight O'Clock last Sum-
day night the fire aiarum was sounded.
The citizens of our town were general
ly at church, and had on their Sunday
best; but, with a zeal born as we'll of
fear as of desire to do good, they rush
ed in the direction whence the call pro-
ceeded.
The fire was discovered TO be la Il e
large frame store house of j. a.. & j.
o. Rice, corner of Main and Henry
streets, occupied by Messrs. flyers &
Bird, retail dealers in dry goods, etc.
The fire had gained such head way be-
fore discovery and help arrived that 1t
was found impossible to extins,uish it,
and the attention of the authorities
was directed to the saving of tile other
buildings. The two story frame house
belonging to Mr.. Fulton, situate ON
Main street Immediately west of the
burning building, and only a few
feet from it, occupied on the first floor
by p. j. Pittman, bootmaker, ai.d Geo.
Walker, barber, with colored family
on the second floor, received first care.
The amateur fire department, headed
by Capt. Barley, made heroic efforts
to save 1t. 1t, however, was dOomsd to
go-all efforts were unavailing and the
forces were withdrawn and put to
work on J. J. Skies building, southeast
corner Of Main. and Henry, AID the
Lookout Bank building, northeast cor
ner Main aud Henry, and on Dan. ].
Taylor's livery stable building on Hen
ry street, Immediately north of the
Bank building, all OF which were ex-
posed and in danger.
TIE citizens Joined heartily in the
efforts TO stay the progress Of the flames.
In few moments constant streams OF
WAFER were pouring over the roofs and
down the sides Of all the exposed bull
dings, and was kept up until all danger
vas passed. The two burning houses
large frame buildings-presented a
grand and awful spectacle, the flames
Illuminating the whole town. Upon
the roofs of the exposed houses many
OF our noble and self-sacrIficing citi-
zens exposed themselves fearlessly, and
performed prodigies. Old, gray head
ed men organized and labored faithful
ly in the bucket brigade, and little boys
did the work of mature men in carry
ing water. Fortunately the creek was
and there was an unlimit-
ed supply of water.
Twice or thrice the caves of
the fine Lookout Bank bull ing were |
ablaze, and once or twice we lost hope |
Of saving it, but the pluck and energy |
Of the people saved it. The bank build
ing, a lofty brick structure with metal
roof AID metal cornice openings, saved
the town. Had that building been of |
wood, nothing could have saved the
square between Henry and Cumberland
streets. Our city fathers should take
and pass an ordinance at once |
Ere district. and prohib- |
It the erection of any more wooden
buildings within the business portion
Of the city. Steps should be taken, al
so, to organize a more effective fire de-
partment. tfV
The losses sustained viii not be very
great. Both houses were covered by
insurance to very nearly their value,
and we understand Messrs. Myers 81
Bird had their stock of goods insured
The damages to the Lookout Bank
building is also covered by insurance.
The Masonic Hall, in the bank build
Ing, was uninsured, and is probably the
loser.
1t is supposed the fire was caused oy
r defective fiue.
Now let the owners build good, sub
stantial brick houses, with metal roofs
and metal cornice openings, and the
FIRE will have proved to be an advantage
rather than an injury.