The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1886-05-05
OBERLIN.

May 4th, 1885.
The most disastrous conhagraton that
ever Illuminated the streets of this village,
was the burning of all the stores between
Johnston's store and the block Of brick
buildings on South Main Street, which
occurred about two o'clock Sabbath morn.
ing. Two hours after the first flame was
discovered, in the rear Of Straus' store,
the entire block, offering business places
to fifteen men, was a mass Of burning tim.
Der on the ground. The loss, which each
unfortunate has sustained, cannot be com.
puted at so early date, as the scattered
property has not all been brought togeth.
er. Each business mans loss is made
lighter by insurance, and what is lacking
in insurance is being made good in kind
sympathy, poor thing Tor empty stom.
achs
Fifteen minutes after the alarm was
first sounded, the student population was
making itself at home about the scene,
hundreds helping to empty the stores and
carry the rescued goods to the corner OF
the campus, under the shade of the sacred
oak, their quick steps urged on by the
loud reports of the window panes as they
cracked in the stores on the opposite side
Of the street. For while the fragrance,
for which coal oil is celebrated, filled the
air, relieved by that of baked potatoes and
dry goods.
A dreary and desolate scene 1t was
which church.goers looked upon as they
wended their way to church. The loaiers'
corner, the stores which had so often been
compelled to listen in silence to loose talk,
were in ashes, presenting worn.out pur.
gatory look. Men were clearing away
rubbish, merchants slowing away their
goods, children looking for something"
fire engines filling up the tanks which
they had drained during the "wee sma'
hours of the morning." and, probably, in.
surance agents were racking their brain
lnventlng means and ways whereby the
insurance money might be lawfully with.
held. The losers are Messrs. John and
Henry Carpenter, Linn, Pay, Price, Hol.
ter, Straus, A. Barnard, Mrs. Coovey and
others in less degrees
The engines came little late, and as
the buildings were altogether wooden, no
attempt was made to save those on fire,
but all the strength was given TO both ends
Of the fire, to prevent it going farther
south or west; and in this the firemen
were successful, displaying much wisdom
and tact in the manner in which they
worked.
The stores in the Goodrich block look.
ed used up; the tin work, with which it is
set of, is ruined. The signs are scorched,
and somewhere near twelve hundred dol.
lars worth Of plate glass destroyed The
building which Messrs. Barnard and Dud'
ley occupied was the old Colonial hall,
one Of the first buildings the College ever
built. The entire library Of Mr.. Steel is
destroyed. A car load OF potatoes is
smothered in the ashes; withered liver
hangs up on wire hook which Pays
meat market covered Saturday night.
Three safes are in the ruins. Stoves and
gas pipes are numerous; telegraph wires
are In confusion. Mr.. Cameron's baking
oven Is the only thing which has preserv.
ed some of its former shape. Only one
more wooden block remains in the busi-
ness part OF the village, and that came
near being burned two weeks ago, but the
well aid plans OF the incendiary proved
unsuccessful. Nothing has yet been
planned for rebuilding the old block.
Definite particulars, as to loss and in
surance, next week. ON.