The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1884-05-04
THE GAINESVILLE FIRE.
Loss Estimated to be Two Hundred
Thousand Dollars.

TO 90 to the assistance of the town. The /
Florida Southern, ever ready with their
services in time of need, as soon as posi- !
BILE had an engine and cars ready, on
which were quickly placed the hose reels
and engine, the train boarded by about
fifty fremen and several citizens, and
pulled out at a lively rate of speed just
before 70 o'clock.
The fire originated in Varnum's Hotel,
q large four-story building, on the corner
of West Main and Liberty Streets, at $3.50
o'clock a. m, and the flames burned their
way northward along Main Street and
back along Liberty Street to Garden,
along Garden to Union, and down Union
to Main Street, reducing every stick on
the entire square to ashes, including SIX
teen buildings and several outhouses,
which were occupied by the principal
merchants and business men of the city
While this square was being eaten up by
the fire, a large force of men were engag-
ed at the Arlington House, removing fur
niture and pouring water on the building
to keep it from catching, and at one time
it was thought the house would be saved,
but the tired citizens had hardly gotten
the sweat wiped from their faces before
the house was discovered TO be envelOped
in flames, which had mCde such Roadway
that extinction was out Of the question,
and in less than one hour it came down
with a crash. Strenuous efforts were
then made to save the buildings on the
other side of the street, and by liberal
use of water and wet blankets, and by the
indomitable will and perseverance of the
citizens, the buildings We're saved and a
further spread of the flames checked.
1t is impossible to give a correct esti-
mate of the loss, but it was variOusly es-
timated to be between $15O,000 and $500
900, which was, as published in an extra"
of the Gainesville Advocate, distributed
as follows:
Con. John Varnum estimates his loss
at $40, 900, insurance, 1000; Endel Bros.
& Burkhim's entire stock of ready made
clothing was destroyed, their loss is very
heavy.
The Florida Southern railroad office,
with freight of unknown value, besides
office appurtenances, were also destroyed;
insurance not known. Mr.. COyne, the
operator, barely escaped with one suit of
clothes. While Mr. Coyne barely escap-
ed, he was more fortunate than some
young men who were in their rooms in
the Varntm House, as some of them es-
capped almost bare.
P Martinez, cigar dealer and whole
sale manufacturer, lost heavily; insur-
ance, 1000.
NJ. E. Schmedling, photographer, lost
about $700 in property no insurance.
Seigler & Phifer, grocers, injured to the
extent Of from $4,000 to $4,000; insur-
ance 81, 900.
Chestnut & Clinton, gcocers, Floss 81, 900;
insurance, $4,000.
Lawrence Davis, Ebaker, loss and insur-
ance not known.
Dr.. G. P. Thomas lost in buildings,
medical library, &C., to the extent of
5000; no insurance.
DIR. J. A. Parker, druggist, is estimated
to have lost 81, 800; no insurance.
NJ Endel & Bro. are the heaviest losers
on the block, as they had lately received
one of the largest stocks of dry goods
ever brought to the city. They have not
yet estimated their damage.
Mr.. j. P. Bauknights new brick store
came next. 1t had just been completed
and would have been occupied next week:
consequently the building is the only loss;
it was insured for 50, 200.
In the first fire Mrs. F. X Miller's store
was the last tc be consumed. The sum
of $4,000 had lately been expended by
Mr.. Miller in improvements. The loss is
about $12, 700; insurance, $4,000.
T. W. Dawkins. the city barber, lost
about 500.
Last and greatest came the Arlington
House. This house was purchased about
four months ago by Captain L. G. Dennis.
who informs us that the total loss is
about $25, 900; insurance only $12, 900.
Mrs. Brooks lost buildings valued at
S., 900; no insurance.
NLilt Stewards blacksmith shop was but
is not loss, slight
From the same source we learn that
county clerk Carlisle, who had an eye to
preservation Of the county records, ap-
peared in the Court House door and, with
a voice in proportion to the size of his
body, called on the citizens to assist in
saving the county's property, as the court
house was already smoking. He offered
one hundred dollars to any person or
persons who would ascend 20 the roof of
the building In a very few moments
her dome was scaled by several men, and
by a free use of water, that temple of
Justice and of ancient architecture was
saved from the hand of Vulcan.
Our firemen We're too late for any
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