Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-30
BATHS LOSS.
Smoking Ruins Where Stood
Stately Buildings.
The National Guards Still Projecting
Valuable Property.
Many Eurned-out Business Men Already
Estabiitksi inlTemporsry Quarters.

Bath, Jan. f9.-(Special The gallant
members of the National Gusrd are tonight
patrolling the streets in and near the Sec
ton covered by the disastrous fire of Sun
day in heavy, wet snow storm, which
though it makes their duties any thing bu.
pleasant and agreeable, is welcome, mas
much as it removes all danger from flying
cinders and sparks.
II is welcome because by the fire was
wiped out large slice of the business pant
of the city, including the Ssgadahoc house,
two national banks, one savings banks, two
drug stores, several cigar stores, wholesale
and retail, the leading bookstore, large
fancy crockery store, livery stable,' large
dry goods store, several tenements, large
boarding house, book binderies, large shoe
store, newspaper office. with insurance
and law offices, besides damaging several
other stores and buildings. Everyone now
wonders that more damage was not done
and marvels that the fire was stopped as il
was.
There was a red hot meeting of the city
government tonight. The question of tie
water supply came up, and long, loud and
bitter were the words against the policy OF
management that should leave a city in
such ,lefenceless condition from fire,
when it was paying roundly for protection.
Mayor Shaw sail, it is reported, that he
had not been officially notified of any break
in the water pipes, but had heard that there
was one and that Diver Purington of Bruins.
wick wanted $l00 for repairiog it and the
nn ,popu ,rnul1 oiy cn1v CO. Tho
of such action on the part of the company
is seen tonight in the unsigh,ly piles OF
ruins that ornament the corner of From
and Center streets and vicinity.
The just indignation of our people now
does not begin to equal the feeling of utter
despair that overwhelmed hundreds of per.
sons Sunday when it was found that no
water could be secured from the hydrant
and that the flames were rapidly spreading
in 4ll DIRECTIONS.
1t is reported that the insurance CON-
panies propose to investigate the affair
to the very bottom and that suit
for damages against the Water Co.
is not one of the unlikely things that may
be heard from in the near future. 1t is as
serted that the c0mpany's contract with tht
city has by no means been kept and great
dissatisfaction is expressed on all hands.
The fire has afforded an opportunity for
what may prove beneficial and decided i'm
provement-the widening of Front street a.
that point where the buildings were de.
stroyed. The street at that place was very
narrow and since the coming of the Elec-
tric Road track, the need of more room
has been forcibly felt. The matter came
up at the city government meeting tonight
and was referred to the committee on high
ways. There is strong feeling that some
thing in this direction should be done and
that now is the proper time to do it.
EVERYBODY is loud in their praise of the
work of the firemen, both our own and
those from Portland, Lewiston and Bruins
wick To their efforts is due the saving of
many thousands of dollars worth of prop
erty. The steamers from Portland and
Lewiston and the hand tub from Brunswick
did service that will never be forgo o'ten.