The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-01-12
Mr.. S0pER BURNED OUT.
Bi- Residrur" with Hest Of thc
Sungtuts pr-truypd.

NuultNts Vr~lfnI yea.
Fire broke out in Mr.. John II.
Soper's residence, Nuuanu avenue,
between three and four O'Clock Sat
urday afternoon, and in a few min
utes it was occupied by the flames
throughout. The family was all
absent at the time, only the two
Chinese servants being on the pre-
misses. Neighbors rushed to the
scene and succeeded in dragging out
the piano and a few other articles
from the lower floor. All else of the
contents was consumed.
A general alarm brought out the
fire brigade in quick time. Mechanic,
Hawaii and China engine companies
brought their steamers, and Homo
lulu company its hose. Hook and
Ladder company was present with
its implements. The Fire Police
mustered strongly, with their ropes
keeping back the crowd, also pre-
venting carriages from driving over
the hose. Six streams were turned
on the fire, reducing it to control in
80 minutes, when Mechanic engine
was reserved alone to play on the
cmbers. The charred frame of the
house was left standing as monu-
ment to the prompt and efficient
service of the department under
Chief Engineer Wilson, his assistants
and the various foremen. Mechanic
Engine Co. No. was first on the
ground, playing two streams from
the engine, under command of AS
sistant Foreman j. w. Mcdonald,
who also took charge of line of No.
volunteer boys hose from the
hydrant.
For some time the house of Hon.
Antoine Rosa, next adjoining On the
town side, was in great danger. His
stable and the line fence were partly
burned. The furniture was taken
out of the house by many willing
hands and returned when the danger
was over. With the wind blowing a
gale, the residences of DR.. Stangen-
valid, Mr.. j. ID. Tucker and Mr.. e.
Along, to leeward of Mr.. Rosa's 5,
were also in no small danger. The
rear of DR.. StangenwaId's house did
catch fire, also tree in front, but
prompt attention prevented damage.
A fiery blast loaded with sparks
seemed to drop down on Mr.. Along
extensive roofs, and only the vigor-
Gus efforts of the servants prevented
a general blaze.
The burned house belonged tc
Hon. j. Mott Smith. 1t was insured
for $1,000 in the Fireman's Funo
Company of San Francisco, Will
Messrs. Bishop & Co. the loca
agents. The building was a large
two-story structure in two sections
put up at different times. The
original section was built thirty-tive
years ago by Mr.. Melcher of the
firm of Melcher & Co., the predeces
sor of the firm of Schaefer & Co
Its frame and fittings were imported
from Germany, and the house at
tracted much attention for its antique
German style. Fifteen years o
more ago an addition was erected
containing a dining room on thu
ground floor and two bed chamber
upstairs.
Mr.. Soper had no insurance on hi
household goods. He cannot as we
give an estimate of his loss, as thu
articles saved are distributed il
different neighboring houses. Th'
loss which he realizes most is That 0
the thousand and one domestic
mementoes which cannot be restored
at any price. The fire originated
either in the kitchen or in the ser
wants bedroom, but by what mean
cannot be gathered from the contra
dictory statements of the China
men.
Mr.. and Mrs. Soper and one chile
have been kindly harbored by Mr.
p. G. Jones, the rest of the children
by Rev. A. Macintosh, Chief Justic
Judd and Capt. Mist, until they cal
make new arrangements for domicill
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