The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-07
FIRE ON THE SOUTH SIDE.
1t Started In the Basement of u. "
Humphreys Drug store.


Soon after Cierl, James j. Touhil. oe
d. w. Humphreys pharmacy at 1i,S
Pittson avenue, opened the store yester-
day morning, he discovered smoke aris-
ing from the basement and he immedi-
ately gave the alarm of fire. The Will
liam Conncll and the Century Hose
companies and the Neptune Engine
company responded promptly and from
$50 until o'clock in the afternoon they
were forced In battle with the fire be-
fore 1t was finally subdued.
There was not much damage done by
the flames; the destruction was princ'-
pally from smoke and water. 1t was
one Of the most stubborn fires that has
occurred in "A long time and broke out
afreSh several times after it was
thought to have been eNtinguished.
The building Is q three-story brick
structure and one Of the most SubStan-
tiul ones on the South Side: the first
floor was occupied as drug store by
u. w. Humphrey. whose residence is at
9O2 Cedar avenue. Mr.. ltunphroy was
for long time chemist for the Lacka-
wanna Iron and steel company. ana
about eighteen months ago he pur-
chased the stock from DR.. j. a. Man'ey.
and has since carried on the drug busi-
ness there.
BuiiLing owned by Dr. Mnnlev.
The building is owned by DIR. Manley.
The second floor was occupied by two
families l.. f. Carey and John Smith.
who came to the city recently from CO.
hoes, \. Y. They are emnloyed at the
Lackawanna Knitting Mills. The top
floor Is rented by Columbus Council,
Young Mems Institute,
Mr.. Humphrey will he the heaviest
loser. He carried an exceptionally fine
stock of drugs. medicines and pronrie-
tarv articles. valued at between $1,000
and $4,000. His insurance amounts to
only S2.iG0 The entire stock was sub
stantially destroyed.
1t is impossible to estimate the dam
age done to the builiing. 1t was in
sured for 81 600 and that will compen-
safe for the rehabilitation of the build
ir". Tho 6rst floor is practically burned
ont and the walls will need much re-
pairing. The plastering is ruined ana
will have tn bo replaced.
DR.. Marley's loss will come on him
through the destruction OF his office.
which was n rear annex 10 the drug
store. He carried only S400 insurance
on his office effects and he had a choice
collection Of hooks He is a student and
surrounded himself with the works Of
standard authors, the latest volumes OF
general information. ana expensive
medical treatises. These and his valu-
able and varied sets of surgical instru-
ments and clinical instruments We're
totally DESTROYED. He kept most of his
clothing i'm his office: too, and he had
several suits of clothing and overcoats
burned up.
Losses OF the Tcuauts.
The rooms Of the Young Mems Tnsti-
tute were filed with smoke that dis
cGlored the walls and ceiling. The loss
to the families on the second floor will
not exceed 800. but they carried no in
surance.
At no time did the flames blaze out as
IL to signify that fierce fire was burn
ing uo inside. Huge volumes of black
smoke filled the air. The firemen fought
hard i'm the cold weather tn confine the
fire to the building and hinder It from
spreading. At . o'clock the last ember
was quenched.
Mr.. Humphrey will omen up In few
days i'm the same place to attend to his
prescription trade. 1t wI.i be possible
for him to get started in one corner of
the store. The insurance was carried
in companies represented by G. G I3O-
land.
The iiremen feel very grateful to DIR.
and Mrs. Manley for their kindness in
providing thcm with substantial re-
fr.,.