Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-31
SMOKE AND RUINS
Where Stood Hiram Chfk's Carriage
Mandatory.
Toe Building Quilted ~- Patent Drop.
Axle Wagons and Large Amount OF
Stock BuTned-Loss $4,000, InauI-
ancs "a, 500.

| At abou, quarter of eleven last evenin,
| fire vas discovered in the blacksmith shol
Of the carriage repository and manufactor,
Of Mr.. Hiram Clark, at the south end O.
Water street, aud in an Incredibly shor
time the entire building, which is a lsrg,
flames. Just how the fire caught is a mys
terry. The engineer of the eleven o'elocl
Pullman, while Watering the engine in the
yard, saw the fire in the southern end Of th,
shop, which is the location of the forge. and
Immediately gave the alarm, aging thf
engine bell and blowing the whistle. MIR
Sears, who tends the NJ. c. X X, gate Al
Rhine's Hill crossing, says the fire caught in
the paint shop and that he saw it a moment
or two before the alarm by the engine Was
given. Both gave the alarm. which va,
taken up by the bells of the city anl in five
minutes Cushnoc Hose was at the place with
the Atlantic Hose and the II. r. Morse Hook
and Ladder Company but n shor, distance
off.
Some difficulty WAS experienced in getting
the hydrant near the burning building into
working order and the big "doub!e header
in Market square nearly 500 hundred feet
away was called into req1isition. Cushnoc
hose company had the first stream on the
building and some three more were soon
pouring immense volumes of water into the
structure.
Rarely have the members of the fire and
hook and ladder companies exhibited greater
bravery or more thorough knowledge of the
best way to handle fire than last evening.
They went at the work in y manner which
showed they knew their business \ NV
York fire expert who was present during the
conhagrs'ion. highly complimcnted the work
of the officers and men and spoke in terms
of praise of the excellent pressure which the
new water system possesses. At quarter oil
twelve the tire was well under control.
The building was built some thirty or
forty years ago and was originally occupied
by B. + Morse 4 Co. as a carriage shop
owned bv Daniel T Pike from whom il was
purchased by the present owner, Mr.. Clark,
in 1878. Mr.. Clark had made many i'm
pr0veme ats on the building and il was in ex-
cellent shape. A large amount of stock was
in the building. Mr.. Clark had material for
between forty aud fifty of his dropsxle
wagons on hand and in nd1itinu tn this had
many carriages in various stages Of construc-
ton and repair. Many of the latter were
taken out to places OF safety but large
number, including nearly all the new stock.
was a total loss Mr. Clark estimates his
total loss at about 5000, including $500 on
the building, $1,000 on the tools and the re-
mainder on the stock,
lie held s2 800 insurance on both stock
and building, which was placed with Macom-
bers agency. Downiag also held some in
sura1ce on private s'eighs aud carriages
which were in process of repair or being
stored.
Mr. C.aik hal jus, succeeded in building
up a prosperous business a1d HI, los. will
be severely felt
Wa'er was poured into the structure all
nigh, and n guard from each company de-
tailed to watch the ruins. The building was
thoroughly gutted by the fire, aud but little
standing.