The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1892-08-19
MYSTERIOUS AND FATAL FIRE,
RESIDENCE OF N. P. BRIGGS BUi NED TO THS
GROUND-MRS. BRIGGS PEEISHEj
IN THE FLAMES.

just as the forms of the GAZETTE wera
being made ready. for the press, disastrous
| and fatal fire occurred at the residence of
N. P. Briggs, on the corner of Fouit and
| Madison streets, in which Mrs. Briggs, one
| of the oldest residents and most highly es-
! teemed ladies of Corvallis lost her life.
The fire was discovered by the workmen
on the city hall, shortly before five o'clock.
They gave the alarm and rushed to thd
burning building, which was then enyeloped
in a mass of flames. Rushing up to the
| front door they were confronted by most
shocking sight: There, lying on the hall
| flour was the prostrate form of Mrs. Briggs,
burned almost beyond all human recogni-
tion. With the greatest effort the body was
| carried out of the burning building, and
taken to the opera house and turned over td
the tender care of lady friends.
At the first tap of the fire bell the depart
| ment turned out promptly, but the fire had
gained such headway, and burned with such
tierceness that all that could be done was tu
try to save adjoining buildings. Through
the inetficiency Of the water service, and the
excitement of the tiremen, it seemed, for a
time, that every building on the block, and
several on the block across the street, would
60.
The residence of Dr. Pernot caught fire
several TIMES, and it was with the greatest
effort that it was saved, with the small forc6
of water, from the hydrant, at the COM
niand of the firemen; and it was not until
the frame of the Briggs residence fell in that
the fire was under control.
just at this iuncture fire broke out in an
old building, known as tie junk building,
situated on Water street, near the Bentoi
County Mills and warehouses. The fire
crught in the roof from burning cinders, but
was extinguished after doing about 500
damage.
The origin of the Briggs fire will always
remain a mystery, but the general SUPPOSE
tion is that while Mrs. Briggs was lighting
an oil stove to prep Ire luncl the stove ex-
ploded, setting fire to her clothing and en-
veloping the house in flames, and before
she could escape and call assistance, was
suffocated by the smoke and flames and fell
in the hallway, where she was found; and
was burned to death.
Not thing in the house was savel ex-
cept rockingchair, and a bicycle belonging
to her daughter, who had left but half hour
before for visit to Albany, little dreaming
of the sad bereavment about to befall her.
As soon as the seriousness of the calamity
was known a messenger was dispatched t.i
Albany to convey the sad news to her and
bring her home.
The sudden and unfortunate death of Mrs.
DTISSS was d severe autiCIion W heT puSDduU
and only daughter, who have the sympathy
of the entire community. Everybody knew
her as a most estimable lady. She had
made Corvallis her home for many years.
She was aged So years, 6 months and 20
days. Her funeral will take place from the
residence of ]. r. Bryson at 2 o'clock Satur2
day August 20.
As near as can be learned, the damage by
the fire is as follows
N. P. Briggs, residence, furniture and
clothing, $500, partially insured in the
State, of Salem; DR.. Pernot, damage to
house, barn and furniture, about $500, nsur-
ed Mrs. Armstrong, damage to furniturej
$50; Damage to Junk" building, 500.
The ladies were on hand with their usual
promptness, and served hot coffee to the
irernen.
A representative of the water company in
forms the writer that the cause of the ineff-
cheney of the water service, during the early
part Of the fire, was from the fact that at
this particular time of the day. so many
garden hose were drawing the water from
the mains that the water in the tanks was
unusually low, causing a considerable decrease
in the pressure.