Mexico weekly ledger., 1888-04-26
cENrRALIA scoRcHEp.
A Big Fire Threatens the Entire
City-New Buildings to be
Built at Once.

Our neighboring city, Centralia,
ono of the best little towns in the
State, was visited by fire again
Thursday A reporter of the LEDGER
on receipt of telegram at once
hastened to see what the damage
was, and found that the burnt block
was all of old frame buildings, and
will be rebuilt at once of brick.
Before the fire was out parties were
negotiating with A. M. Harrison,
of Mexico, for brick to be used in
erecting one of the best blocks in
Centralia. A fire has no terrors
for that town like Mexico, it be-
gins to rebuild before the fire is
out. 1t was discovered that the
fire was in the building occupied by
T. II. Woods, as a restaurant and
bakery, shortly involving the sur
rounding buildings. The fire is
said to have originated from a de-
fective fiue as those early on the
ground state that there was fire
in the heating stove in the front
room, and that confiagration in the
fiue under the roof from the fire in
this store.
The buildings were pine struc-
lures and it was impossible to save
them, therefore the entire attention
was directed to saving the goods
and most of the contents of the
building were removed, although
in badly damaged condition. The
first building in the block was own
ed by Matthew Fountain, and
valued at about 81 600. 1t was a
two story structure, the lower part
being occupied by Anthony Bros.
as meat shop, while the second
story was vacant. The next two
buildings on the north were owned
by White, Barron & Co.. and valu-
ed at 50, 800 and insured for $500
each. The first was occupied by
I. H. Woods as a restaurant. A
large portion of the contents were
saved, but the loss is estimated at
about s400, insurance on fixtures
$3.50. The second building was
occupied by J. J. Canada as
saloon in the front portion, while
in the rear end Joe Anthony had
billiard hall, portion of the con-
tents of the saloon were saved and
the loss is estimated at about $500.
Neither Canada nor Anthony were
insured. The next building north,
one story high, was owned by Geo.
Miller, of Sturgeon, and occupied
by Geo. d. Phillips, as shooting
gallery; contents saved, no insur-
ance ON the building.
The next building was owned by
A. A. Arnold, of Columbia, and oc-
cupied by Shelby Thomas, as a
barber shop; contents saved and
building insured. The fire was
checked at the corner brick build
ing, occupied by R. S. Crabtree as
a saloon, and owned by A. A.
Arnold.
The Globe Hotel was greatly en-
dangered and at one time it was be-
lieved to be impossible to- save it
as the rear end of the burning
building was less than thirty feet
from the hotel. The contents OF
this hotel were removed to the
streets and considerable damage
done in consequence. A lot OF
blankets were ruined by the water,
and at least 80 barrels of salt were
used. 1t is a. shame that such a
town as Centralia is without a fire
company. That town should buy
our hand engine.
On the south, across a 20 foot al.
ley from the fire, is located Ed,
Farrar's one story brick drug store
and the doors and windows not
protected by iron, were burned out;
but by liberal use of water the
fire was kept out of the building
and its contents were not removed
! It is miracle that without water
or a fire company the fire was stop.
ped without a much larger loss.