Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-07-18

the mill. This task was taken by the
fire tugs Fife l.. and Ralph, each of
which has powerful rotary fire pump
aboard, and by constant work for sew
eral hours the progress of the fire was
checked, and the second conAagration
that has visited Alpena ended.
In an hour property to the amount
of 100000 had been destroyed, over
one thousand people were rendered
homeless, and hundreds were left en-
tirely destitute, their only possessions
being the clothes on their backs. The
district burned over was from two to
three blocks wide, and FIVE blocks
long.
When the fire swept down TO Dock
street, blazing brands set fire to the
steeple of the Polish church, and soon
that part of the structure was mass
of flames, and presented striking
sight. The steeple was on fire before
the main part of the church, and
looked like a pillar of fire shining
through the smoke-clouds.
In front of the Gilchrist mill the
fremen made another successful
fight, and prevented the fire from ig-
hitting with large amount of lumber
there. In that vicinity there were
number of houses, large barn, a
planning mill, -four mill. etc. Once
the fire got part way up the incline to
the tramway.
At Pine street a line of hose was
used to such good advantage that
some seventeen residences adjacent
were saved.
During the fire some seventeen
large streams of water were used at
one time, and, in addition, there were
hundreds of garden hose in use. 1t
shows that the water works were in
prime condition, and exhibited more
power for fire purposes than the con-
tract calls for. A pressure of over
so pounds was maintained. Seven
other large streams were supplied at
the same time by the tugs and mills,
making "a large streams going at the
same time
When darkness set in, the city on
the north side of the river, from the
dam to the rivers mouth, was illumi-
mated by the burning fires, the reAec-
ton of the light extending hundreds
of feet high, appearing like long
luminous cloud resting above the city.
From every ruin sprung up bright
flames, and when the fires went out
everything consumable was destroyed,
and what wood remained on the
ground would not make an ordinary
dray load.
The lumber on the dock burned
fiercely for hours, and formed mag
nificent and terrific sight when seen
at night.
The fire having been conquered,
the next question was to take care of
the unfortunates, and in this work
Mayor Klock was interchangeable, and
was admirably assisted by many citi-
zens. Shelter was found for those
who had not already been taken care
of by friends, and owing to the ener-
getic and untiring work done by the
Mayor, and others, we do not believe
there was any one unprovided for that
night. Mr.. Maltz placed the Opera
House at the disposal of the sufferers,
and turned over to them some $500
worth of clothing he had on hand.
Food was also provided for those in
want.
The following will show the num-
Der of persons and societies who were
insured, and the amounts as reported
by the insurance companies Of B. +.
Luce & Son, Kelley & Mcdonald and
Williams & Morse. The loss of each
person insured will amount from one
third to one-half more than the
amount of their insurance: