The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-27
MARBLEHEAD'S BIG FIRE.
THE LOSS 100000 AND 1000 PEo-
PIE MADE IDLE.

Shoe Factories Among the Struct-
ures Destroyed.
MARBLEHEAD, MASS, Dec. 26-Ths
town was visited by connagraiion last
night that devoured the entire business por-
tion of the town, covering about twelve
| acres.
The fire was discovered in the house fur
rishing store of d. b. II. Powers on Pleasant
street at about 10 o'clock. The direct cause
of the fire is unknown. The first warning
was announced by loud explosion Of
naphtha in the store. An alarm was quickly
rung in and was Immediately followed by
second and third. When tho nremen
reached the building ii fell with mighty
crash. 1t was wood structure and was
rapidly consumed.
COULDN'T CHECK IT.
The firemen did their best to hold the
| flames in check, but their efforts amounted
TO nothing. The buildings surrounding the
structure were nothing bat mere Shells and
it seemed as If everywhere u spark fell fire
started. In fifteen minutes from the time
the first alarm was sounded the entire busi-
ness portion was a sea of flames. The fire
ragged violently, ana the two local fire com
panies were wholly inadequate to fill the
task they were called upon TO perform.
ASSISTANCE SUMMONED.
Assistance was summoned from Lynn,
Salem and Swampscott, and these towns
quickly responded.
The entire shoe manufacturing district
the principal business of the town, was
burned 60 the ground.
The people we're frantic and rushed to
and fro as though crazed The flames
tv hot lxy
anything was saved. Tenants residing In
dwelling houses were completely cleaned
out and, as they stood aud watched their
homes consumed, they presented pitiable
sight
ITS LINE or MARCH
The fire after demolishing the building in
which it started, swept directly across to
Rechabite Hall, which is totally burned,
from there it swept over toward w. b.
Browns house, which marked the limit of
the fire on the western side The wind was,
most fortunately, light, but the roaring
mass of flames swept over toward F.W. q j.
w. Monroes shoe factory, Oh the opposite
side of Pleasant street. The building was
wooden structure four stories high, and was
soon burned TO the ground.
The shoe factory of Charles Reed to the
west caught and was burned to the ground.
SWEEPING TO THE EASTWARD.
The progress Of the fire was checked upon
this side at that point, but it swept uncon-
trolled to the eastward, and the flames soon
reduced Paine's express office TO mass of
ruins. Thus it continued. Sheds, fruit
stands and small tenement houses were con
sumed with great rapidity. Ii seemed as il
the entire town was doomed. By this time
help from Salem, Lynn and Swampscott
arrived, and this response put new life into
the cherries workers.
The city was flooded with strangers from
all the surrounding towns.
PLEASANT STREET RUINS.
On Pleasant street the dwelling houses Of
Nathan Pitman and Asa BlaneY, the Bos-
ton and Maine depot, Cole Bros shoe fac
tory, the horse car station, Staceys drug
store, Jonathan Bodine's woollen factory,
which was large structure four stories
high. and numerous small buildings were
reduced to ashes. On the opposite side of
Pleasant street, Joseph Lefevre's dwelling
house, III. o. Simonds' hardware store, the
Grand Army hall and fire department head
quarters, which was a magnificent brick
building; the Rialto block, g. Gregory
drug store, the Boston branch grocery
store, and the dry goods store of George
Graves were destroyed.
ON ESSEX STREET.
On Essex street the flames destroyed the
Allerton hall, occupied as shoe ctory by
Jonathan Orne, and the immense wooden
building of f. Woodbury. shce manufact-
urer, the factory of Jacob II. Croply 81
Bro, Peach's shoe factory and the house
of Dennis and Jacob Pene.
o, Spring street the fire swept on de-
stroying tire residence and factory OF Will
lam G.. Lefevre Its progress was checked
at the Sewall grammar school building
Sweeping across spring street, the flames
consumed the handsome dwelling Of DR..
Whitmore.
ON SEwALL STREET.
Here the flames changed their course, and
sweeping on to Sewall street completely de-
stroyed everything in the rear Of Pleasant
street, taking everything clear up on both
sides of the railroad track. The residences
Of Mr.. Chamberlin and the late Thomas
Fiersman, Paine's livery st ibles, Thomas
Rixs fruit stand and numerous small build
ings were burned to the ground.
At 3 O'Clock this morning the fire was
under control, although yet burning
fiercely.
This stolid old burgh in June, 1877, was
visited by fire which swept over nearly
the same district. During the progress OF
the present fire several explosions were
heard. Fully 10000 workmen are thrown
out Of employment
THE LOSS 100000.
Inc loss Dy Une lfe III eSJlIldJeu HD ooUJ,-
600. Thirty y-seven buildings were destroyed
and over / 900 persons are thrown out OF
employment. None Of the manufacturers
think il possib to rebuild this winter, and
there is general feeling Of depression in
town. Among the principal losers are: b.
e. Cole Il Co., 100000, insurance, $4,000;
j. NJ. Cropley, $4,000, insurance, $50,0OO;
II. w. & j. w. Monroe, $4,000, well in
sured.
The charter of the Philanthropic Lodge
of Masons, next to the Oldest in the state,
was burned.
A meeting Of the citizens was held to-
night and addresses were made by several
prominent citizens, the prevailing senti-
ment being that the town should be at once
rebuilt and with brick instead of
wooden buildings In case pri-
vate capital should prove insufficient,
it was thought that the town should give
all possible pecuniary assistance. Several
contributions in small sums were received
at the meeting 10 aid needy sufferers, ard a
committee Of five was appointed 20 select n
committee Of twenty-five 10 solicit contri-
buttons.
A Tobacco Factory Burned.