The Portland daily press., 1890-01-08
A Valuable Library DestrOyed-Ad.
joining Buildings Ruined.
AndrOseOggin Poultry Show and The
Poultry Meet an Untimely End.
Portland Piremen Do Valiant Service
Fighting The Flames.
Especial to the Pressl

LEWISTON, January Fire broke out at
about 5.15 o'clock tonight in an elevator
shaft in the rear of the stage Of the Lewis
ton City Hall. The flames soon spread to
the back of the building and in few
minutes, it was all blaze. The fire depart
nient Of both cities responded quickly and
worked heroically but could not qrench the
flames, which had gained CONTROL Of the
building.
The Andr0scoggin Poultry and Pet Stock
Association opened their annual four days
exhibit today in the large and small
halls. Mr.. A. r. Crowel of Boston,
associate editor of the American Stock
Keeper and Judge of the dog department.
was ON the stage of the small hail when a
man rushed in and shouted. ''The building Is
on fire but l don't think there is any danger"
In about five minutes he returned and said
it was dangerous fire and everything would
have to be removed. Then ensued a scene
that beggars description. Down went the
dogs amid the smoke which had become
suffocating by this time. Mr.. Crowell made
four trips, In the last one really risking his
life, and succeeded in rescuing 10 high
priced CANNES. The superintendent of the
dog department did excellent service and
every one was saved The poultry depart
ment in the main hall, was less fortunate
and only few were saved. 1t is estimated
that 1000 birds perished valued at So per
head.
The fire was now assuming such
dangerous proportions that Mayor Little
telegraphed Portland and Bath for assistance
and favorable replies were received. All
hopes of saving the city building were now
given up and every effort was directed to
keep the fire from spreading. The glare Of
the doomed building lighted up the entire
city and the park in front was mass Of
living humanity. Fully $1,000 people were
witnessing the conhagration. AT this time
the explosion of cartridges in the armory
added to the confusion. At 35 Asa Greene,
an electrician in the employ Of the city, fell
2S feet from the top Of an electric wire pole
in gallant attempt to cut the wire for the
safety of the men. He was internally
injured and there are little hopes Of his
recovery. He was unmarried and
about So years of age. At I o'clock,
smoke was seen issuing from the
brick structure: The first story Of this build
ing was occupied by f. l.. Hoyt, grocery
man, and the second floor by Weeks's job
printing office and the Daily Advocate.
There was club room in the third story.
These were soon in flames. At Z 40 the
Portland fire engine No. and hose No. 8,
accompanied by Capt. Eldridge and 10 men.
arrived. The special was in charge OF Con-
ductor Perry with Jack Sinclair at tbs
Horses were awaiting and in fifteen
minutes from the arrival of the train, they
were doing effective service.
The city edifice is said to have been
one of the finest in New England. The
building was dedicated December 5, 1872.
| The interor of the large hall was so by 165
and 81 feet and inches high. The floor had
seating capacity of 1,6OO people and the
| Park street, $50 feet on Pine street and 40
| feet on Lisbon street. The height from the
| sidewalk to the cornice was LOG feet; height
| Of spire 206 feet The vane was nine feet
long. The building cost s25O,0oo The
liquor agency ,was:ln the ba,ement and the
liquors were destroyed. The loss here is
heavy. The money in the city treasury was
saved but the records are in the vaults which
| are supposed to be fire proof. The criminal
rect rds of the municipal court were saved
but Clerk1of Courts Laughton's and Judge
| Cornish's private:libraries were destroyed.
| The Manufacturers and Mechanics
| library on the second floor. valued at $4,000.
is total loss. The loss of private property
\ cannot be learned tonight, but 1t Is quite
heavy. There were four drunken prisoners
in the police station in the basement and
they had to be dragged out or they would
have lost their lives. Chiefs Tarr OF Lewis
ton and Miller of Auburn have worked
| heroically. The Portlanders behaved nobly
and are the recipients Of heartfelt thanks
| from Lewiston citizens. Had the wind been
blowing everyone feels that the entire busi-
ness portion of the city would have been
| burned. City officials are looking already
| for new offices. The entire loss will
aggregate about $3.50, 900.