The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-23

Chief Engineer Chase, which brought the other
companies of tho department TO the scene of
the confagration. The fremen worked with
n will, but the sitting smoke from the burn
ing grain hindered them somewhat and in
spite of their efforts the flames rapidly spread
TO other parts of the building
Stream after stream was turned to the
burning structure and the volunteer fircmen
worked like trained veterans, but the fire
steadily gained and their efforts 10 stop the
spre OF the flames proved unavailing.
From the storp occupied by the Hoxie Bros.
Company, the flames gradually ate their way
through the partitions and in an hour the
whole building was wrapped in flames. The
firemon fought the fire manfully and lad
ders were raised to the windows and streams
of water poured into the interior of the build
ing, which by this time reseinbled n furnace.
Lines of hose were also run to the top of the
large brick bu lding adjoining occupied by the
Hoxie Bros. Co., and from this point of want
age the firemen turned torrent OF water into
tn seetbing mass of fire below.
in spite Of their efforts il evident that
the building was doomed TO destruction.
Many of the old residents, remembering the
disastrous results of past fires, were much
alarmed and wished to call for aid from the
n ighboring fire departments but Chief tngi.
ncer Chase kept cool and refused TO become
excited and as the result no other building
was end ngered.
The building, which was about 40x75 feet in
size on the ground, and three stories in height,
was owned by Frank Spalding and was one OF
the best paying pieces of property in Phenix.
IL was built by the late James j. Smith in
1871, TO take the place of the old Mechanics
Hall, which was destroyed by fire the same
year and was the oldest place of amusement
"A the valley. The lower floor was divided
into stores, while the second and third floors
were occupied by Music Hall and a number Of
anteroons. The stores on the ground floor
were occupied by the Hoxie Bros. Company rs
a grain and croclxory store room, i. X Du-
fcsne, as n meat market, Miss B. Carroll, as a
millinery store, and r. NJ. Carroll, rs a hard
ware and tin shop. Ia the basement at the
junction of High and River streets were two
stores, one occupied by Archibald Brown. as
n restaurant, and the other by James Duffy
as barber shop On the second floor one
OF the small rooms in front OF the entrance Of
the hall was used rs "A club room by a French
dramatic club, while the corresponding room
ON the other side Of the hall was used as a
dressing room. ON tho third floor above
these rooms were kitchen and dining room
and last evening the Phenix Woman'a Chris
tian Temperance Union gave its annual en-
tcrtainmcnt and turkey supper in the hall,
the supper being served in the dining room
on the top floor. A subscription party was
20 be held in the hall this evening, and rs
soon rs the managers foundithat the hall was
burned they made arrangements with the
owners of Temperance hall, and the ball will
bo held thore this evening. A number of
other entertainments and balls are booked for
the hall during the coming week and the
managers are today making arrangements TO
hold them I'm other halls.
Z Tho building was valued at 10000 and was
only insured for half its value, 5000 The
tenants were mostly insured and their losses
and insurance are as follows: Miss Bridget
Carroll, millinery, loss. between 500 and $50,
covered by insurance; y. X. Dufresne, meat
market, loss $500, fully insured; Archibald
Brown, restaurant, loss $40, no insurance; u.
NJ. Carroll hardware los 1900 covered by
insurance: Hoxie Bros. Company, groceries,
etc.. loss 5000. covered by insurance. James
Duffy, who runs a barber shon In the base