The Press., 1885-02-14

knOW Inat since us IaSt issue mlSlofIune has again befallen our vigorous young borough. We make use of the follow ing account from the Palmer Journal: Stafford Springs (Conn:) was visited by a most disastrous fire on Sunday morning last, making great vacancy in it's row of business blocks upon the south side of East Main street. The alarm was given at about 5 o'clock, and when first discovered the rear part of RockwelPs wooden block was well abaze. Opinions differ as to whether the beginning of the fire was without or within the building. freight train had recently passed over the track close to the building, and some attribute the origin of the fire to sparks thrown from the engine, though the giver of the alarm is of opinion the flames had started within the building, in the base ment room, which is the workshop con- nected with Gallivans stove store. The steamer was got to work as quckly as pos sible, but it was soon evident that the en- tire row of wooden buildings, one solid structure making up Rockwelrs and Central
  ing of C. Prouty next west, and that the work of the tiremen lay in contining the fire to these. Norwich, in response to tele- grams, started an engine for the depot, but on the way an accident. followed by run away, disabled it, and Stafford was notified that she must call elsewhere for aid. By this time, however, the fire had been got under control. The Tontine Hotel, across the street from the Rockwell block, had caught fire, but although closely contig- uous to other wood buildings, the fire was confined within it, and finally eXtinguished, leaving the structure a mere skeleton of frame work. The total work of the flames was the destruction of RockwelFS, Central Hall and Capt. Prouty's building on the south side of Main street, the almost total des- truction of the Tontine House, and damage chiefly to paint and glass of Pages two blocks and the house of Mrs. Spellman. Warren's block, with it's solid brick end wall within a few inches of Rockwelrs block, which overtopped it, was little in- jured and scarcely endangered. A tene- ment house belonging to the Mineral Springs Co.,, standing next west of Proutys build ing, was quite easily saved by the use of the Mineral Springs Co.'S force pump There was little wind and snow fall began soon after the fire started. Before the snow had protected the roofs a blaze was discovered on the roof of Fosters block of stores, some distance to the westward but was extinguished.
 The steamer and fremen did nobly, saving much property. But for their efforts the fire must have been much more extensive. The possibilities fol- lowing a complete outbreak on the north side of the street are frightful to contem- plate. Fortunately there was little wind, and all the circumstances of weather were favorable.
 The loss falls upon large number of men, and generally those in quite mod crate circumstances.
 G. II. Baker will probably rebuild at once, of brick, and to cover his entire lot about S0x5O feet.
 Rockwell announces no purpose of building as yet, but so desirable a site will not long remain vacant
 The Tontine House will be put into repair immediately.
 Mir. Prouty has not yet decided to re- build.
 THE LOSERS.
 Samuel Rockwell had no insurance on his block, having dropped all when rates were advanced last year. He had thought better of it, and consulted agents about renewal, but the fire caught him unprepared. His building would cost about s15, 1000 to replace.
 G. H. Bakers Central Hall block was insured for S4 300. and this nearly covers it's value.
 Tilden's Block (Tontine House) had it's damage appraised at S2,6OO The insurance exceeded that amount.
 Wm. Hanley's (boots and shoes) in- surance was S2,O0O, which was several hundreds of dollars below his loss.
 J. J. Gallivan (stoves, crockery .etc. was insured for S4 ,000, estimated value of stock S6,0O0.
 Levi Arnold, jeweler, had no insur- ance. His loss will reach S3,OOO.
 F. N. Crane had S1 200 insurance, and this leaves him about S1 .0OO out. He had spent the dull winter converting good stock into good harnesses, and loses labor and stock.
 J. A. Medhery (tea store) lost about S3,O00, and gets $945 insurance.
 Mrs. T. c. Lathrop, milliner, saved most of her goods no insurance.
 E. K. Spaulding, notion dealer, had insurance of S46O, and saved much of his stock.
 Henry Steele, baker, had no insur- ance. and saved many goods. Loss in- side of S1,000. Mir. Steele had bar gained away his business, and the pur- chaser was to have taken possession this week. -+..5
 The Press had insurance of $1 800 A small amount of material, including files, mailing list and books, was saved The loss of material is about $2,5OO.
 H. c. Mclaughlin, job printer, los press and quantity of type and materials to total value of about $500: insurance $500.
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