The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1888-12-13
A SERIOUS FIRE.

A SERIOUS FIRE.
Night watchman John Donovan,
discovered fire in the rear Of the Sec
ond story of Louis F. Darbellay's
building. Wednesday night. between
twelve and one o'clock, flames then
having burst through the outer wall
to the north, and before the alarm
could be given and the firemen reach
the ground, the fire had q big start
and it was an hour and a.half OF two
hours hard struggle before the boys
got it under control. In the mean
time the household goods Of Mr..
Darbellay, as well as those Of his
father, residing likewise on the sec.
ond floor of an adjoining building,
were removed to the street, as was
j. p. Reeder's stock of merchandise
on tn first floor sof the elderly
Darba9ay. The first floor of Louis
building having been vacated for
some time, had been that evening
and the evening before occupied by
the Congregational ladies for a fair
and supAier purposes, who having
left their tables. stoves, chairs and
most of their dishes just as they had
been used at the supper few hours
before. were carefully removed by
their friends, so that had these two
buildings burned down in spite of
the firemen, the movable property
would largely have been saved.
There was of course the usual OK
citement attending the blaze, for in
deed, there seemed danger of great
loss for Il while. Men standing
about claiming to be posted in such
matters, predicted very earnestly
fthat the boys could not possibly save
the buildings which were soon in
flames, and urged that the firemen
turn their attention to saving ad-
joining property. But the noble
pumps did their work admirably.
Although the hose was so disabled
that but three streams of water
could be had, the boys stayed right
with the seathing mass Of flame and
smoke and mastered it, in the face
of all predicted failure. Of course
the two buildings were badly dam
aged, but it was enough to confine
the fire to these. Here was demon
strated the great value of the water
works. Had the town been possess
sed of the old barrel system, only,
there is no telling where the fire
would have ended.
Mr.. Reeder at once removed his
stock of merchandise from the street
to the old Bank of Wahpeton build
ing, where he is awaiting the in
surance adjuster.
A. E. Sunderland of the Germania
and J. NJ. Richmond of the Mazeppa
are receiving special praise for good
work done. while all the boys come
in for all the praise they can com .
fortably shoulder and carry away.
This is the second serious fire at
Wahpeton, the other having been the
loss Of Mr.. schmitt's brewery.
The boys have, as above intima.
ted, damaged hose, which should be
placed in good condition at the earli.
est moment--for the supply is lit.
tie scant at the best.
Let the engineers at the pump
house hold their affairs ever in readi.
ness for service, as was so we'll done
the othor night, for how clearly was
seen the value of the pumps doing
their splendid work at the right
time--which will of course always be
the case when everything is in right
condition, as it was the other night.
Let no false step be taken any.
where in cases of such immergency.
The loss to buildings is some $3 500,
partly covered by insurance. 1t
is thonget the fire originated from
a defective chimney. The rooms are
closed awaiting the insurance ad'
juster. Mr.. and Mrs. Darbellay are
now making their home at Milton 4
Sons hotel.