St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-26
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A SAD CALAMITY.
The Residence of James O'Brien and
All Its Contents Destroyed
nv Fire

by Fire.
81 went home last night the happiest man
in Ramsey county, and now everything 1
have in the world is gone and the household
accumulations of the seventeen years since
was married are swept away"
The man who uttered these words
in choking voice to 8 friend
yesterday morning was pale and looked
as though he was just about ready to sink.
There was huge blister on his forehead, an
other on his chin, his hair and eyebrows
were badly singed and he locked as though
he had gone through siege very literally.
"What is the matter, Jimmie!'' was the
query of the friend, as soon as he recognized
that it was Jimmie O'Brien who was before
him.
The story was soon told. Mr.. O'Brien
lived on Case street between Westminster
and Arkwiight. Two of his boys aid in sup
porting the family by carrying morning pa
pers one being employed at the GLOBE office
and one at the Pioneer Press. They arose, as
was their wont, yesterday morning about 3
O'Clock and went to their work,
leaving lamp burning. About an
in flames, presumably from the explosion of
lamp. Besides the boys who had gone
there we're six children in the house, the old
est twelve years old and the youngest four
months. These, with Mr.. O'Brlen and his
wife and sister, were the occupants of the
building. The first thought was to rescue
the children and they were gotten out in
their night clothes, in fact no one having
any time to dress. All,were secured but one,
be could not be found. The house was liter
ally wrapped in flames when the agonized
father plunged through fire and smoke, and
cropping about up stairs. found the little fell
low curled up in fright in one corner of the
room, and Selling the precious burden he
carried him safely out of the building. re-
ceiving burns and blisters upon hands, face,
and head in so doing. There was no time
to secure anything in the shape Of property,
aud literally everything was consumed.
''We had all our winter provisions and
all our winter clothing for the children in
the house." added Mr.. O'Brien.
And that means great deal for a family
Of eight children To n man of limited means
depending on his earnings for support. Mr..
| O'Brien had only 5000 insurance and that
was in favor of the building society, who
uciu HOIlBdBc Ou MS UOusc
having loaned the money for its erection.
As this insurance is of no personal avail to
him, beyond relieving him of the indebted
ness, his loss can be put at about 81, 500 to
1900 with no insurance whatever. Among
other things he lost books, bills and accounts,
connected with his collecting business. Ev-
| erything was gone, not even leaving cloth
ing enough to cover the children. The
neighbors kindly took the afflicted family in
and rendered such aid as they could.
/ No alarm was sent in, owing to the fact
that there is no alarm box in the region,
though there are six hundred houses in the
immediate neighborhood.
Mr.. O'Brien went home happy Friday
| night, for his friends assured him that
| he need have no fear of
his triumphant election as county auditor.
| That prospect was awhole volume of sunshine
in that little but largely populated home
No wonder he was happy, and he can still be
happy over that prospect, while depressed for
his loss. but thankful that only property and
| no life was lost