Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1894-12-06


OF the fire is unknown. All those
first on the scene declare the flames
started in the drug store. The
burglary theory will be investigated
as soon as men can get at the three
safes lying under the debris in the
cellar. One belongs to the post
office, another to P. P. Phillips and
BENZ. 7. Powell,
The confagration destroyed prac-
tica ly the entire mercantile business
of Cedarville, wiping out six stores
and the post Office, as we'll as the
only public hall, and the finest lodge
room.
On the corner was Eldridge &
Briggs drug store, and the store was
we'll stocked. Adjoining this on the
west was the post office and station
cry and confectionery store of James
Demaris, the postmaster. Every
thing here was wiped out of existence,
including all mail matter which was
in the Office, the fixtures, etc. On
the south of the drug store was the
large clothing, boot and shoe store
of 2. P. Phillips. He was carrying
a very heavy line and not an article
or anything was saved. His loss is
estimated at $4,000 Directly ad.
joining this was the tin shop of Chas.
Stevens, and this went up in smoke.
Stevens loss is $4,000
Directly west of Bateman's block
was small frame building in which
was the grocery store of Walter Jer-
rell, and the harness shop of Will
Treichel. The stock of the latter
was gotten out, and he is the only
business man of tbs unfortunate
ones who got his stock from the
buildings.
On the second floor was the large
furniture establishment of Adams &
Garrison. Benz. T. Powell, had his
law offices on the second floor, and
his loss will be remembered, when it
is considered that much valuable
memoranda was destroyed, also his
law library. and much else that can
not now be known OF course what
was in his big safe is propably all
right
On the third floor was the hand.
some lodge room of the Masons and
the Knights of Pythias. All the
furniture and valuable paraperanalia
is entirely destroyed.
1t is not oknwn just what the loss
will be, but it can be footed safely at
S25,000, part of which is covered
with insurance
The Bateman building was owned
by syndicate of seven gentlemen,
as follows Robert Bateman,
Herbert Newcomb, William Brown,
Benz, f. Roray, Henry S. Garrison,
and DR. Glandon The latter told a
PIONEER reporter that the building
was valued at $4,000 and there was
an insurance of $4,000 upon it All
the victims of the fire are insured
excepting Postmaster Demaris, but
of course the insurance will not
begin to cover the loss.
The reporter was unable to learn
particulars of the insurance at Cedar
vile, mach of it having been placed
by agents and the insured could not
remember the companies issuing
the policies.
Inquiry among the insurance men
of this city developed some informa.
ton. The companies represented
by James j. Reeves will lose $500.
2. z. Phillips has two po icies there,
one of $500 and one of $1,000. FL
bridge & Briggs have two policies,
one of $4,000 and one of $1,000
There are also two policies from Mr.
Reeves office on the building, one of
$500 and another of similar
amount. Ogden Burt also has $4,000
upon the building.
The Cumberland Mutual will lose
$4,000. One policy being held by
Chas. Stevens for $1,000, and the
other by Adams & Garrison for $400.
The confagration will be a severe
blow to the village, and one that will
require time to recover from, and
yet there is feeling Of thankfulness
that the damage was no greater, as
it seemed for time that the town
was doomed.
1t is expected that the syndicate
owning the building will immedi-
ately set about to rebuild the block,
and an elaborate structure may be