The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-21
HEAVY LOSSES
Entailed by Fire at UX-
bridge Yesterday.
Four Large Business Blocks
Were Destroyed.
Town Saved by Timely Arrival OF
Flremen From Worcester.

Uxbridge, Mass, Dec. 2l.-One or the
greatest conhagrations that has oc-
Cured in Worcester county for many
years broke out i'm the heart OF the bust.
ness section early yesterday morning.
and before 1t could be controlled foui
large business blocks and three other
buildings were burned. entailing loss
of over 100000, upon which there was
an insurance Of $4,000 The fire is the
seco. Il serious one in this town within
three years. 1t burned for over seven
hours, and the greater part of the town
would undoubtedly have been wiped out
had not timely assistance been sent from
Worcester
The cause of the fire is, unknown.
Flames were first noticed in two diff
tcrent places in the big three-story
wooden block on Main street owned by
II. Il. Gum. Two men, who arrived from
Worcester on the late train, discovered
the blaze, and although they promptly
notified the local brigade. which was
soon on the spot, the flames. famed by
a brisk west wind, spread with great
rapidity to the three-story brick build
ing adjoining. owned by A. X. Taft, and
like the Gum building was occupied by
a large number of business fms and
Offices At this time. when the serious
aspect of the fire became apparent. the
fire department. of Worcester was re
Quested to SEND assistance.
From the Taft block flames leaped
acrosS the street to the tihee-story
wooden building owned by Christian
Gredig, which contained the store of
George Newell and several other places
of business. This building burned furi-
ously. and the town seemed to be in
such danger that many residents for
quito a distance away moved the furni
ture from their dwellings. Sparks and
live cinders fell all over the place. and
bucket brigades were kept busy ex-
tinguishing incipient blazes which
started up In several places. The local
brigade. which is inadequate TO protect
the town at any time. was handicapped
by poor water supply, and was power
less TO stay the flames.
About O'Clock the three story wooden
building owned by Il. M. Goldthwaite
was on fire, and also the two-story
building owned by Christian Gredig in
the rear OF his big block. The
Goldthwaite building was complete
wreck, and the fire continued to spread
when a special train from Worcester.
with q steamer and hose carriage, in
charge OF Assistant Chief Lamb. ar
rived. After some little difficulty in OBJ
tanning water the Worcester engine sue
ceeded in getting several good streams
in the most advantageous place and un-
doubtedly saved a much greater loss.
With the exception OF a barn owned by
Mr.. Gredig and a few outbuiidings. etc.
the fire was stopped at the two-story
building owned by Gredig This build
ing although still standing. was COM
pletcly gutted, and is practically total
loss.
The ruins burned f1ercely we'll into the
forenoon, and owing to the strong wind
a large number of citizens and the fire.
men worked hard to prevent a further
outbreak. The assistant chief of Woon-
socket and two Of his men came up early
yesterday morning and aided the local
department.
Following are the losses in detail:
Gum block--Loss on building $50 900, in
surance $15,0C0; occupants, II. E. Gum.
druggist. loss $4,000, insurance. $4,000;
+. W. Barnes. jowelcr loss $500; G. A.
Carter. clothing store, loss $4,000. insur-
UnCt solNfs iO.S Uil SeN'lAi INV - t'AiNi
insurance agents offices $500 to $500 each;
Foresters' hall on the top floor, loss $500.
Taft building-Loss on building $4,000.
Insurance $1,000; occupants, Blackstone
National bank. loss $4,000. no insurance;
+. c. Hayward, general store, loss $500,
insurance $500; Dr. Gray, dentist, loss
about $500; odd Fellows hall on the top
floor. loss $4,000, Insurance $4,000; several
dressmakers sustained small losses.
Christian Gredig's loss, three-story
building. $4,000 insurance 100000 two
story building, loss $1,000 insurance. 1900;
barn. loss 5000. Occupants three Dry
Gredig building. George Newell. store,
loss $1,000. insurance $500; j. Tucker.
Billiards, loss $500 insurance 800; j.
Stewart. harnos~maker loss $500, insur-
ance 5000: Abel Eros. confectionery,
$780, and occupants of offices slight
losses
In the Goldthwaite block. Kelley.
dry goods. less 5000. insurance $4,000:
William Berry. billiards, loss 5000. in
surance $500 several milliners also lost
their properly. upon which there is an