The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-03-21
chesanin0 Fire.
From The Argus.


At little before 9 o'clock this morning our
slumbering village was rudely awakened by the
changing Of the fire bell and in short time the
streets were filled with excited people hurrying
to the scene of confagration-for such it was
fast coming to be-and on reaching the spot
Pratts shoe store was found to be all ablaze,
with the flames already reaching toward the
post Office consuming on their way the one sto
ry building occupied by F. A. Greenfelder as q
farm implement store.
1t was plain that nothing could save either of
these buildings, so great start had the flames
already obtained, and the thing now to be done
was to save what could be saved of the contents
and II possible the fire from spreading to the
west and taking the remainder Of the block.
Pratt's building was SO far gone that only
show case and some few other thing, worth per-
haps $75 could be gotten out; the post office was
broken in and most II not all, OF the mail and
other matter saved and the boxes removed. The
upper story Of this building was occupied by
Justice Wood and Twp. Treasurer c. w. Hop
lSins, and in endeavoring TO save the desk con-
tanning the township books and papers Mr.. Hop
kins and l.. c. Gaylord were both pretty well
scorched, the former quite severely.
The engine had been stationed at the cistern
manned, and was now throwing two streams
onto the building but in spite of the favorable
west wind the rnany-tongued monster ate his
way steadily westward, taking first the building
occupied by Warren Lewis and family as mil
linery store and residence. This furnished fuel
for the roaring furnace only for few minutes,
and the next victim in order was the fine Gould
building q store building about 100 feet long the
first floor occupied by w. A. Eastwood as gro
Gerry, and the second story by John Stevens as
residence. This building served to give the
flames new impetus and it now looked as If the
entire block must CO. excepting, perhaps, Walk.
er's furniture store, but large force had been
at work for some minutes tearing out the build
ing next west OF Eastwood's grocery and so far
succeeded in weakening it that when the west
side of the grocery had fallen in they were able
to pull it over into the ruins OF its neighbor.
This made slight break in the long row of
frame buildings that occupied nearly the entire
block, and by dint of unfiinching courage and
perseverance the progress in this direction was
checked, and all, especially those occupying
buildings in the block, began to breathe natural
ly again. During the whole time there had been
but very light wind, blowing from the south
west, which was most favorable for the saving
of the rest of the block, but it served to greatly
endanger A. A. Johnson's saloon, standing
short distance in the rear of the post office, and
on whose safety depended also that of two or
three dwellings just north Of It, In the rear Of
the saloon and adjoining it were some sheds or
stables reaching to within a few feet Of the
rear of Eastwood's store With difficulty the
attention Of part Of the people was directed to
these buildings in time to barely save them
from the reigning demon. While water was be-
ing thrown on the roof and sides OF Johnsons
saloon building the slipping Of ladder precipi-
tilted Mott Mead and Lester Burrows to the
g 'ound, from the top Of a one story addition.
,tt reaching the ground first and the ladder and
its other occupant, coming on top of him. The
assistance which was quickly at hand was not
needed, however, for by the merest luck neither
of the boys were more than slightly bruised.
The property owners whose buildings so mar
rowly escaped destruction may thank the exist
ence OF the cistern from whose abundant supply
of water the fire was prevented from doing more
than double the damage that it did. And this is
another reminder of the exposed condition of
the range of wooden buildings on the south side
of Broad st. which is owing to the foolish policy
which resulted in the filling up Of the cistern
placed opposite It. The losses estimated are
approximately as follows: b. +. Pratt, build
ing and stock Of boots and shoes, $500; p.
Gould, building, $4,000; e. Woods buildings,
5000; Mrs. L. D. Snow, Of Merrill building, $500;
H. ]. Bentley, building, $500; F. A. Greenfelder,
stock of farm implements $1,000; John Stevens,
household goods s70o; Warren Lewis household
goods, $780, Nearly all the post office equip
ments were saved. Total, %, 100 There was no
insurance on any of the property, the insurance
companies deeming II so hazardous that they all
fought shy of 1t. All the buildings burned were
two story frame structures except one, the agri.
cultural implement store which was one story.
F. II. Bakeslee succeeded In removing his
stock OF musical instruments and sewing ma
chimes and w. A. Eastwood his stock OF grocer
ies The latter will move into the Chrysler
building and there continue business. The post
Office will for the present be located in Evart's
store
Go to Goldsmith's for your next pair of
pants, second floor Wesener block.
Now is the time to have your upholstering
done before the rush. We have full line
of coverings in pushes, tapestries, mo-
<,uoxkac apd oiIk hrocafoI1ae Woodord n