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

eral of the rescuers had narrow es
capes from being burned.
On Lake street, between Pine
street and Long Lake avenue, there
are ne buildings, but in place thereof
there is considerable rubbish such as
log heaps, stump piles, and saw dust
Further to the north is a big mound
of sawdust that was dumped there
from the Butterfield mill years ago.
Among the rubbish fire is said to have
been raging fiercely at the time Of
the confagration.
The brick houses did not appear to
withstand the heat much better than
the wooden ones.
The Electric and Telephone COM
panies had their lines burned down
the three blocks on Dock street. One
of the patent yard-arm lights was
destroyed. The damage was soon re-
paired.
BY Saturday several of the per-
sons burnt out had already got lum-
Der on the ground for new residences,
showing that the confagration had
not diminished their energies.
On Clark street scene took place
similar to what transpired on Old6eld,
and great exertions were made to save
household goods and prevent the fire
crossing the street. The two sections
were separated by belt of fame un-
til after dark when passage along
Dock street could be made. Then
the extent of the territory burned
was known.
Thursday forenoon the ruined dis
trict was visited by thousands who
wandered over the desolated tract.
The clean burn made was wonder
to every one. Most of the houses
had rested on cedar blocks, and so
the very foundations burned-they
were what caused the bright fires the
preceding night, after the confagra-
ton was over. With the exception
of the two brick houses, a mound of
ice that was in an ice house, a brick
oven, and few stone foundations, all
there was to be seen of two hundred
buildings, was just merely piles of
ashes, amid which were stoves, broken
crockery ware, sheet iron goods, the
iron frames of sewing machines and
other household goods of an incom-
bustible nature. Laying at one place
were the remains of calf, the back
hardly burned, but where it rested
on the ground, it was burned to a
crisp. The scene looked more like a
burnt fallow, and here and there stood
the burnt and blackened remains of
shade trees. standing like gaunt SEN
tinels over a scene of desolation.
On Dock street the cedar pavement
was badly damaged for two blocks.
The cedar blocks were not entirely
burnt, but each piece was hollow
ed out like, somewhat in the shape
of saucer.
1t was sad walk for those who
had been so ruthlessly expelled from
their homes the preceding night.
The work and toll of years lay before
them mass of ashes and few rem
nants of household goods. The fam.
iliar sight was gone, their homes had
vanished in a whirlwind of fire, and
the weary path of years gone by had
to be again trodden over. Yet there
were but very little lamentations
heard, and we believe that it will not
be long before the waste places are
again decked with comfortable homes.
In few places the grass on lawns
had not been completely burned, and
occasionally vestiges of potato plants
and corn could be seen where some
one had made garden.
The only death from the fire, was
that of Mrs. Ann Mclean, aged 81
years, who had come from Buffalo to
visit with Mr.. and Mrs. j. Kesten
relatives. Mrs. Mclean was struck
by the flames while in Mr. Kesten's
residence, and almost in a moment all
the clothes we're burned off her. How
the rest Of the persons near by escap-
ed was great wonder. Mrs. Mclean
was removed from the house, but was
so badly burned that she died that
night. Mr.. Kesten desires to return
his thanks TO friends for kind services
rendered.
Mr.. Barrett, a very old man, came
near being burned on Dock street
but owing to the exertions of w. j.
Carter, d. Cutting, w. II. Jones and
others, he was saved, but some of the
rescuers were considerably injured by
the fire while rendering the assistance
Thursday noon fire again was stir
red up vigorously in the sawdust heap
by strong wind, and dense clouds
of SIN Ike rolled right over the bust
ness part of the city, making every
one very uneasy. Both steam fire
engines were at work, and in few