The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-09-09
FIRE. FlREl
Fully $40 900 Worth Of Prop
erty Destroyed.
The First Genuine Fire ia Many Years
AFull Description Of the IN
fortunate Event.

Twas only last week that we
were congratulating the people Of
Alexandra on their continued good
luck in the way of fires. We went
ou to state that fires were unusual
here, and when one happened lso sell
dom were they, that oar citlzeus were
more than surprised.
But our good luck changed, and
when it did it struck MS nnawares and
at a time when we least expected it.
For more than month We have
experienced drou,h-no rain has
fallen during that whole time, aid
water bad t'ecnple scarce-S0 scarce,
indeed, that but for ON artesian we'll
many would have suffered for want Of
water. And this last point taken into
consideration, when the fire flames
hesiege us, is most important factor
Bnt to the poiut-th. fire! the HE!
the fire
m Tuesday yesterday morning) vas
the most disastrous which has visited
Alexandra in many wears, aud swept
away III less than an hour over ten
Thousand dollars worth of property,
causing great distress and trouble.
ITS ORIGIN.
From what the DEMOCRAT reporter
could learn, and he used every effort
in finding ont bow the fire originated,
it seems that the flames were first dis.
covered in the stable of Mr.. Nelson
Taylor, lately rented to Mr. Ellington
of Miden, ani who has been in charge
for few weeks. No one can particn
larlv account as to the real origin of
the fire. This seems to lie an impos-
sihility, catching as it did in stable
loft, filled, as we learn, with hay and
other provendet, and where no one
was likely to use fire, seems quite a
mystery.
HOW DISCOVERED.
The fire was discovered, as we
learn, by party of gentlemen who
had been at a dance gu Lamour.e
On their returning home, at S o'clock,
when the fire broke out, they saw the
blaze aud gave the alarm. Soon the
crowd gathered, aud what was after
wards done, in the way of gallant
fighting, combating with the fiery
flames as they reached in their mad
fnry from house to house, is hard, in.
deed. to be described
PRoGpEss OF THE FIRE.
FROM the stable, where the fire
n,iginatea, the faues swept across to
the residence of Mrs. DeIpline Hey
man, and from there to be house oc-
rnFira hy Mr. w. Il Sanford. These,
in turn, were burned to the ground,
Notwithstanding the noble efforts of
our gallant tire,nen aud others who
assisted them. In the meantime fur
ni,nre was being pulled out.
The houses adjacent were smoking
with heat, and only 10y the united ac-
tibn # the firrmen were they saved
Twas thought that the flames
would spread, but lnrkily only a lighl
wind was blowing, and hence the fire
was under control in a short time
that is, after it had consumed about
ten thousand dollars wor,hof property.
WORK DONE.
AS to the manner in which onr fire
laddies worked, as also the outsiders
who rendered great aid and assis
tance, the nohlpst words of praise are
due. They did their duty well aud
are justly entitled I" ti,coniums Of
praise from all sides.
PROPERTY DESTROYED.
We have estimated the loss Of
property at ten thousand dollars. and
we think we are correct, as the fnl-
lowing will show: Mrs. Hey,nan's
home $3.50; Mr. Nels Taylor $500;
tile residence occupied by Mr.. San
ford $500; and the hafancp is made
up in tue way of individual lnsSes.
These wrrc partly covered hy irsn-
rance, viz; Ms Iieym,n $1,000 on
her dwelling and $1,000 ~ the hnnse
occupied by Mr. Sanford
Mr.. Hal,,tnpr who owns the bnnse
s'a ding on the cnrn-r Of Sd and Mur-
ray streets. and which was damaged
by the flames was insured for SlyOO
MIR. Nels. Tavlnr was insured for
$1,000. His loss is qnite heavy.
Mr.. Ellington, who Orcnpied the stable
of Mr.. Taylor was burned out iii April
last in Mi,,le,l.
The hand engine, Lizzie, was down at
the fire, but not having any hose, could
not render any aid.
Who did the best work II do.s not
stand us well in hand to say. Everyone
did his part.
But Lordy! Isn't the engine is u daisy.
Give her water, and she will do tho rest.
The whole block was burned with the
exception of the Haritner honsc-t'lis
bnildidg is no less than forty years old.
The Hook and Ladder Company lost
eight of their buckets and everyone OF
their axes save two.
Turregano is the boss Of firemen-his
bounce or tumble from the Hardtncr
building is unprecedented. He got to
the ground safe and sound-we will 20
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