The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-12-04
The Ocala Fire.

About FIVE o'clock on the morning o3
Thanksgiving day fire originated in the
store of Benjamin u Co, of Ocala, and
did not cease until two-thirds of the busi-
ness portion of that thriving and beauti-
full town was destroyed, involving loss
of more than two hundred thousand dol
lars. The fire was aided by the wind,
and after futile attempts to check it by
water thrown from buckets, there being
no FIRE engine i'll the town, the expedient
of blowing up buildings with gunpowder
and pulling them down was successfully
resorted to.
This disaster to one Of the most pros
porous and promising towns in Florida is
much to be deplored, but there is the sat
iafaction of knowing that the energy and
enterprise that created the place will I'M
doubtedly restore it quickly TO all it was,
and more. Among the losses especially
to be regretted is that Of the Ocala Ba.-
uer office, which was one Of the best print
ing establishments in the State, from
which was issued one Of its brightest
newspapers. We hope it will soon be
"out" again, helping to build up the flu
ture town, as it did the former, with a
strong hand. The correspondent of the
Times Union furnishes the following
statement of losses and insurance:
Benjamin x Co., general store Loss $25,-
600 insurance, $4,000.
Brown, Frederick & Thayer, brick hotel (the
Ocala House, and furniture. Loss SO 1000; ill.,
surance, $32, 900.
J. 3 Bell, small wooden building. Total
loss.
Lee Butt building, and W. H. Brady, goods
Insurance in fair proportion 10 value.
ID. A. Miller's store, occupied by r. X. Snow
den, druggist Building and drugs fully in
sured
H. p. Robinson & Brother, the great dry goods
merchants, saved probably two-thlds ot their
goods, but in badly damaged condition. Fully
insured
Miller & Dunn, boots and shoes, also saved
about two-t thirds of their goods but badly dam
aged. Fully insured.
Israel Brown; no insurance on goods. Loss
$500. The building was owned by $ W.
Moody, and was fully insured.
The Ocala Bttlter building, owned by F. f.
Harris, and Mr.. Harris residence adjoining
were destroyed Loss, 5000; insurance
$500. The Banner Office, owned by G. w
Wilson, suffered Ii loss OF 80 800 and was insured
for $500
G. T. Maxwels residence was insured tul
300. Partial loss
The heaviest losers next To HE owners Of the
Ocala House, were E. w. Agncw & Co., the well
known merchants. They lost tive stores At the
southwest corner of the public square. with a
two story hotel above. Loss, $4,000; insu
rance, $4,000.
T. A. Orr & Co, druggists. Loss, 81, 800 /; fully
covered by insurance.
Condor Il Eolk, jewellers succeeded in saw
ing their goods, which, however, We're damaged.
Insured.
S. NJ. G. Garys livery stables with two Stores
were a total loss, but the buildings were old and
not Of much value.
Whitfield's boarding house, owned by f. W
Agnew Co. Loss, 81 800; insured.
DR.. Thomas =. Gary's residence was IL total
less The furniture was saved but greatly dam
aged.
The Magnolia Hotel was saved, us were also
the post-ofice, fixtures, etc. The county records
were also saved.
The residence Of the Misses Barco was lie
stroyed. Loss 81 500.
Shater, restaurant and groceries, saved his
stock but in damaged condition.
Parramore 4 Taylor groceries. Stock saved
but damaged.
Pat Divine, tailor. Effects saved
E J. Harris stables were N total loss
+. X. Van Pelt two story building. Loss
$500; insurance, 81 600.