The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-01-28

Snyder on the other, we're soon seen to
be in flames.
The chance OF saving the remainder of
the town was then prophesied as hopeful
BY some Of the citizens who were engaged
in fighting the flames Some Of the peo-
pie who helped 10 bring the firs TO close
made one powerful effort. although they
were without fire hooks or ladders. The
loss caused By this ire IS estimated at
not less than $4,000.
THE TsEE o. 1872.
The great fire u IS-2, is supposed to
have originated from a spark that flew
from Heim 1, Co.'S foundry into a stable
belonging % Francis Z. Weimer. which
place was situated then where the Opera
House nov stands. twas supposed that
bundle Of straw Erss took FIRE The
owner of the stable, on discovering Ere
in The now. went up and attempted
to throw out ihe bnrning bundle, but ss
the band had been burned IN two, he was
not successful, and the fire was carried
from. cne end OF the mow 70 the other,
when. N a momeat. tie contents Of the
stable were found to BE asmass Of hAmef.
When this fTe broke oct th. wind was
blowing al q terrible rate, and therefore
It carried pieces Of lumber for miles. It
was not fye minutes from the tine that
the alarm Of FIRE was Srst given; before
at least a fozen Of houses were seen 10 be
burning. With a terrible effort the flames
Ieaped from one building to another and
seized everything that came in their way,
House after house went down with fright
ful scenes, and the families who had pos
session Of them we're compelled to Zee
for their flames. The attempts which
we're offered TO stop the progress Of the
FIRE were in vain. The brayest men
we're shocked BY the disaster, and women
aud children were found running for
their lives. and screaming in the logdes;
voice Of agony and despair There were
many Instances where goods took FIRE in
the SIMS Of persons who were trying to
save them tr carving frem one side OF
the street 10 the other. The loss caused
by this fiTe was estimated at from $780,
0o8 10 slGaaGa0 The wealth ofSomersei
horeush wss entirely destroyed by this
f;re. EseEy store with the exception OF
one, all the hotels but cne. two banking
houses, ali the lawyers oiiices,,two print
ing offices, and the Presbyterian and Lu-
theran churches were also destroyed by
these flames, and one hundred and
6fty buildings. Of whica ffty-txo we're
stores and Dwellings, and these are sup:
posed to have covered an area of 80 acres
which were then ? mass Of ruins. Every
thing these baidings contained was de-
stroyed and il was enc Of the most de-
structige fires that the borough of SON.
erset ever Witnessed.
TIE PiRE or 1876.
This fire originated about the same place
As the one previous. The borough OF
Somerset was consumed three times by
fire. The first occurred Thursday. 0cto-
Der Is. IS,l5 the second, Thursday, May
2, 1872. and TIE third, Thursday. May
6, 1876 Il WIS thought that the fire
broke out intAe pattern shop of the foun-
dry Of Davis, Mccoy < Co. After the
alarm had been sounded il was but a
very short time before 3 crowd Of earnes;
workers we're on the ground. ready to Of
fer their lives and limbs in order that
they might have stayed It's progress Al
that time It was thought - have started
from q spark which few from the forge
in the foundry. The wind was blowing
from the southeast at the time the fire
started aad itsoon spread TO the neigh.
boring shops where i vas supported fal
in aivance. The shed between the foun
dry and the residence OF 8Ir George sha
fer was torn down, hut the fire had toe
much Of starr and 9; leaped across the
street 10 where the ssmerset House nov
stands The buildings were as dry 8.
powder and burnt as quickly. Larg'
pieces Of burning matter were taken ~
by the wind and carried some distanc,
and wherever they fell caused FIRE.
This was the second time the Somerse
House was seen To be in flames. II wa
a very few moments from the time th'
Buildings took fire until they were found
to be 3 mass Of ruins The wind still
increased and scattered fle brands in
parts Of the town. At the time this fir'
occurred Somerset had no engine, anC
not even a hook or ladder; with the VIZ
ter running short in many places It wa
enough TO discourage the brzvest Of men
/ Water lines were formed TO the WE'LL
where they thought there was am
chance Of saving property. This was no
as destructive Are as the one whiel
I happened several years before. Bot a
/ the sane time Il was bad enough to De
stroy about two squares and quite mum
F Der Of other buildings. The citizens 0
Somerset Borough now DAYS have no bet
I ter protection against Ere than they haC
then. Although there is no excuse for il
F It has beea talked Of time and again b!
some Of the citizens who claim that ther
ought 10 be some protection against al
enemy ofthis kind Il has often beer
said when these parties are through tha
is about as far as it goes. They may no
have money enough TO guard against
conaagration Of this kind, or else the,
are afraid Of investing a few dollars fo
fear Of losing what small sums they have
The loss caused By the IRE of May 2
1876. i estimated a. not less thar
$4,000
THE SOMERSET 4 cAafRRIA r r.
The Somerset & Mineral Point Rail
road vas completed in ISL As its mans
implies. it extended from lockwood, OF
the Pittsburg Division Of the B. & o. r
R.. to Somerset
In 1880 the road passed into the hand
Of the B. & o. authorities. and has sine
been extended 10 Johnstogn. Ever sine
the time that Johnstown became il
northern terminus the s. & c. has beer
an important and, l believe, pro6tabI
branch Of the 3. < o. section.
{ THE soCrH FENs 4 z.
The South Penn road was begun il
/ 1888. There Was considerable work don
I in Somerset eonntv in cuts and fills sn,