The Portland daily press., 1890-01-08

had in the basement an armory, the city
liquor agency, the street commissioners Of
fee, the city marshaPs Office and the city
prison. The second floor contained the mu-
nicipal court room, the city council rooms,
the water board Office, and the offices OF the
superintendent of schools, treasurer, collect
or, city clerk, and clerk of courts. On this
floor were the Mechanics and Manufacturers
Library rooms. Above were the splendid
city hall, the most capacious in Maine, the
small hail, and armories of the military
companies. On the lower floor of the ell
was the United States post office.
The fire caught in the elevator shaft, and
In very short time was beyond control. The
tower, over 200 feet high, was menace, but
after It fell the firemen could approach the
fire. They were busily engaged in keeping
the surrounding buildings cool. The build
ing was wholly destroyed. 1t was built
about IL years ago, and cost $4,000. There
posed to be safe in the heavy vaults. The
the city treasurer saved his
valuables. In the building were the armories
Of the Frye Lighs Guards, the Sheridan
Guards. the Nealy Rifles and the Dana Bat
terry. The latter had ; cannon which was
destroyed and the equipments of all the COM
panies were destroyed. The valuable library
OF the Manufacturers and Mechanics AssO-
citation was burned. 1t consisted of eleven
able reference books that cannot easily be
replaced. 1t was insured for 100000 Post
master Walker was able to save all the mails
and nearly all the government property,
either by carrying 1t away or depositing it In
the safes. He will have an Office open ready
for business in the morning Tonight's mails
have been dispatched from Auburn. Engines
from Bath and Portland helped Subdue the
flames. 1t Is marvel that it did not extend
to more buildings.
Tha IL, IL fRa H..
40 minutes. The fire extended to the Tracy
block, which was ruined. 1t was occupied
by +. l.. Hoyt & Co., whose picture stock
was being sold by auction, and by Weeks's
printing Office aud the Lewiston Daily Advo-
cate. Weeks was well insured. The build
Ing was owned by Cyrus Greedy and j. Y.
Asa Greene, an employe of the city cleo
trio light department, climbed a pole to cut
the wires, and fell He was reported kille d.
but his injuries will not prove serious. The
Ancroscoggin Poultry Show opened today.
Most of the fowls were burned. The dogs,
numbering nearly 100, were saved.
The losses and insurance as far as learned,
ale:
Mechanics and Manufacturers Library, loss
S15,O0U; insured for $1,000.
y. Y. Scrut0n, on block, $1,000.
w. ii; Weeks, printing office, fully insured:
+. l.. Hoyt, grocery store, partially insured.
National Advocate, loss $4,000; insured for
8 0OU.
Labelle building. owned by N. W. Farwell
heirs; Insured for $500, which will cover the
loss.
Insurance on the Mechanics and Manufac-
tnrers Library is in the Quincy Mutual,
$1,000, the Fire Association of Philadelphia,
$1,000, and the Royal Liverpool S30O0
Aid from Portland.
Word was received in Portland just after
the evening train had gone that the fire had
assumed dangerous proportions and asking
for assistance. Engine and hose 3 and about
twenty members of the department were
loaded on special train and started off to
the rescue. The spare engine was put into
No. 3's house and a number Of volunteers
were drafted to fill up the vacancies in the
companies.
Striking While the Iron Is Hot.
Especial to the Press.l
LEWISTON, January 7.-Mayor Little has
sent the following despatch to Congressman
Dingley and Milliken and Senator Frye:
The city building, including tile post office, is
burned to the grOu d. We feel that now Is the
time 10 ask Congress for public building viii
you present the matter TO Congress at once?
III. @. LITTLE, Mayor.