The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-11-04
BIG FIRE AT CLINTON.
Twenty-Five Buildings Burned-Loss
SI5O,00O.

Ell Oy other voices, tDen WIN. Virgins,
the sexton of the NJ. E. Church, rushed to
the church and rang a general alarm,
which aroused most of the people on this
side Of the river.
|. The fire started in the building on Main
street owned by Alex. Probasco, and oc,
cupied by John Lunger and David Crots-
ley. These buildings were soon beyond
saving, although gallant fight was made
by the citizens to keep back the flames.
From this block the FIRE leaped across
the street and took hold the property of
G. W. Gebhardt, and soon the whole front
from there down to the store of Honness
& Butler was in flames, and now lies 10
ruins. Those who lose their home on
that side of the street are Mr.. Gebhardt,
J. V. Tunison, p. G. Wagner aud son,
Mrs. H. Champion, VIM. Teats, C. W.
Leigh and J. w. Garrison.
Between the property of Mr.. Gebhardt
and Alex. Probasco there is drive-away
to the livery stable, and in the rear lived
VIM. Cramer, who loses his little home.
Across the drive away was the hand
some home of Alex. Probasco aud In the
rear f the house were his barns, which
were full of horses, carriages, sleighs,
etc. The horses were quickly run out
and turned into the pasture land adjoin-
ing. and willing hands assisted Yves. Hoff-
man, the hostler, to get out all movable
property.
The flames took hold of these structures
from side to rear and 1t was not long be-
for they were beyond saving. Next came
the home of Mrs. G. H. Rittenhouse, as
we'll as the store-room of the G. o. p. G.
s., which was stocked with large assort-
ment OF new Fall and Winter goods.
Then the home OF L. B. Baker, with all,
or most of Its contents, fell a prey. Gone
is the word TO express the situation. With
hard work the devouring element was
checked at this point on the south side Of
the street.
On the North side of the street the
flames licked up the Probasco building, as
above stated, the barn of Judge Hoffman
and cleaned out the entire front from the
Probasco block on down to Hoffman s.
Duckworth's large store (Which was an
old land mark). Here the conflagration
took hold of the buildings In the rear Of
the store, which are owned by E. V.
Perry, and occupied by Geo. Leigh and
Mrs. Mary johnson. This was a double
dwelling. Mr.. Parry's large mill took
fire, but was saved.
Cnders carried the fire to the home Of
Mrs. George Gulick aud her son Frank, on
Leigh street, but by hard work this pretty
home was saved.
The following business firms on Main
street lose their property:
Alex. Probasco, liveryman q. w. Geb-
hardt, boots and shoes John V. Tunison,
fruit and vegetable market; ]. w. Gar
rison, meat market; Case & Runyan,
hardware; Rittenhouse s. Co.. clothing !;
P. G. Wagner, boots and shoes; Teats 81
Carey, tobacco and cigars; Hoffman Il
Duckworth, general merchandise; s. G.
Lunger, meat market; Robert Fritts,
pool room; John Lunger, boots, shoes,
harness, &c. David Crotsley, confection-
airy and market; W. C. Gebhardt, law
office and A. w. Stout and A. L. Nc
Crea, sewing machines.
To say that our people worked hard,
does not cover the case, for many stou,
hearts and willing hands rendered all the
aid possible under the circumstances.
We are without fire apparatus, and water
had 10 be carried TO the flames 10 hand
buckets.
Mayor johnson telegraphed for help to
Pennington, Phillipsburg and Easton.
Pennington sent some men, but could
not secure car to carry an engine or
hook and ladder truck. Easton and Phil
lipsburg sent men and steamers and hose
carts, and with this help the FIRE was got
under control All honor to the neigh
bors for the timely help.
To the call for help the following com
panes responded Reliance Hose Co. No.
of Philiipsburg ; Centennial Engine and
Hose Co. No. l of Phillipsburg, and Eas-
ton Engine Co. No. / of Easton.
The loss will probably reach between
$40, 900 and 100, 1000, and there is some
insurance, how much we cannot now
say.
CLINTON, Nov. FRIDAY, Saturday and
Sunday were days OF sightseeing 10 Gin
ton, and ii is estimated that 10, 900 or 49,
900 people have come in from the sur
rounding towns and adjoining counties to
take a look at tue ruin left by the confiag
ration of last Friday morning. Twenty
five buildings have been swept away by
the flames, and SO completely did the de-
vouring element do its work that there re-
mains only part of the massive walls of
the stone building owned by Hoffman &
Duckworth, general merchants. This
structure was erected sixty years ago, and
for quarter Of u century has been occu-
pied by the above firm. Their loss on
building and stock is $4,000, but they
are Insured for 1926, 900.
On Sunday the streets Of the burned
district were crowded from curb to curb
with vehicles OF every description. The
business men are already taking measures
to resume operations. Alexander Pro-
basco, who is heavy property-owner here
and the leading liveryman, commenced
this morning TO build temporary barn
for his use. He has the contract for car