The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-16
GREAT FIRE AT FRANKLIN.
A Call for Assistance Received in this
City at O'Clock This Morning.
The Opera-HOuse, Several Livery Stables and
Number of Dwellings Destroyed, In
volying Loss Estimated at $780,
.pecial to the Indianapolis Journa,

Special to the Indianapolis journal
FRANKLIN, Ind, Oct. l5.-Fire is devastating
all the south side of the public square. Jacobs's
livery stable, vance's livery stable, Thompson's
blacksmith shop. the City Hall and opera-house
are in ruins. Several dwellings are burning.
The fire is now thought to be under control.
The total loss, roughly estimated will
reach $4,000 or $4,000 Jacobs Brothers
sustain loss of about So, $780, insurance, 81, 800
Their loss includes their stable fifteen horses.
buggies, harness. etc. They lost fine stallion
and three matched teams.
A. G. Vance loses four or five horses Several
animals broke loose, but the exact number can
not be given It is not known whether the
city records are destroyed or not. 90
the fire is raging about the vault:
The hall, opera-house and scenery, all belong to
the city, and their loss is partially covered by in
surance. The Ida May Blake company lost all.
their baggage and scenery; their loss is $4,000
Several dwellings were burned. and others
are burning The fire department is seriously
crippled by the loss of large part of it's hose
and ladders.
Latest reports indicate that the FIRE has
reached its limit It's origin is unknown, but
it is thought to have started in Jacobs's stable.
This morning at 2o'clock telephone message
was received at fire headquarters in this city.
from Franklin, stating that great fire was
raging there and threatening to destroy
the town. The chief of the department
was asked to send two engines Immediately to
aid in fighting the flames. but as there was no
water available the engines could beof no service
and they were not sent, although the chief was
willing to dispatch them to the scene of the con-
'fagraton speedily as possible if they could
be used.
The Losses by the PASSPORT, Me-. Fire.
EAsTPoRT Me-, Oct. 15-The fire which
broke out at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon ragged
furiously for ten hours, defying all efforts to
control or arrest it. It started in Capen & Nc
Cleans sardine factory, and swept in a north
ery direction along the water front and through
Water street, burning ten sardine factories, two
hotels. about thirty dwelling houses, the cus-
tomnouse ana poStof1ce, ana every place or
business where goods of any description were
kept for sale, except two small groceries which
out of the path of the fire. 1t is impossible
at this time to make detailed reports Of losses,
or to ascertain the amount of insurance but the
total loss will probably amount to at least $780,
000 fairly covered by insurance, except the loss
on the sardine factories, which could not pro-
cure insurance. The factories gave employment
to at least 1000 persons. Much suffering must
ensue unless immediate aid is rendered. Con-
trbutions can be forwarded to Hon. N. B. Mutt.
collector of customs. Teegraphic communica-
ton was cut off at p NJ. yesterday, and has
just been reopened
LATER-It is raining heavily now, and the
fires are extinguished. Nearly all the insurance
agents records were burned Nearly all the
safes were also destroyed, with their contsnts,
and many insurance policies. Probably not
three safes protected their contents from fire.
The aggregate loss is estimated by the chief en-
gineer Of the fire department and the insurance
agents at $500. 900. The Passamaquoddy Hotel,
the Island House and the American House were
burned. The savings bank, the Frontier Ma
tional Bank and custom house, all brick build
ings, were totally destroyed The Frontier
Bank building was supposed to be fire-proof.
The custom house, postofice and United States
eignalservice records and books were burned.