The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-07-15
THURSDAY
OPERA HOUSE BURNED.
Albany Visited by the Worst Fire
for Many Years.

AUuut y CtOCA tuA5 mOEulbS uhutce
were discovered issuing from north OF
the rear of the opera house. Thew we're
seen from the depot when the freight arr
rived so much start had they gotten, and
the whistle of the engine was blown
shrilly. Il attracted attention down
street, and W. B. ellison, who lives near
the fire bell, and who had arisen rushed
to the tower and rang the bell. The re-.
sponse was a prompt one. The whole
end of the opera house, Ludwig's tin
shop, Beams grocery store and the ad-
joining warehouse buildings on the alley,
seemed to be in flames at once. Every
thing was as dry az tinder and burned
fast. the fire spreading quickly and it
looked as if the city was in it for big
contiagration. A stream or two from
the hydrants soon began 10 check the
flames and both engines in few mo-
ments, which seemed much longer, had
streams playing on the buildings. Good
work was then done and after an hours
work only the charred remains of the
several frame structures were left of Ale
hany's only opera house, OF Beams gro-
cery store and the little warehouse sheds
on the alley were entirely destroyed, also
Ludwig's tiushop and the warehouse on
the alley in which F. E. Allen & Co.,
had forty or fly stoves and other
things belonging 10 their business, stored,
and which were all destroyed except the
stoves
Our citizens did splendid york in re-
moving goods and the eutire steck of
goods of o. A. 2eam was saved in good
condition, nearly all OF Mr.. Grsdwohl's
stock of groceries and crockery in the
corner store in the opera house were
saved, though some were burned, be
thinks about 500 worth, and Mr.. Lud-
wigs Timing and plumbing utensils were
nearly al gotten out. E. Il. Case, the
barber and his father resided above Lud-
wig and saved only few things. Mr..
Gaze senior iosing even hls false teeth
The fire department altogether did ef.
fieient work.
The total loss is proba oly about $40, 900.
The opera house with scenery was worth
nearly 81, 900 and the several adjoining
buildings nearly as much more with the
contents not saved
The bnilding in which Mr.. Beams
store was located was owned by Mrs.
Mady, the adjoining building on the al
ley by Mr. Grsdwohl and the Ludwig
shop and warehouse ia the rear BY w. @. !
Fweedale. Mf Gradwohi is the princ.-
pal stockholder in the opera house prop
eriy.
The fire undoubtedly started in the |
shed used for storing wood. located on |
the alley, perhaps on the outside of the |
shed, perhaps on the inside, those who /
1rss saw it are not certain. Back OF the |
shed was considerable coal oil stored |
and when this exploded the flames /
spread to all the adjoining buildings,
burn ng the rear OF Beams, the opera |
house, and the Tweedale building ap-
psrently at about the same time and |
spreading in each toward their front |
rery rapidly.
The opera house was insured in seyar-
II companies for sci 90. There was no
insurance on the goods OF Beam, Lud-
Wig and F. E. Allen & Co.
NOTES.
There was rot enough water and the
.Isterns gave out, or nearly so. The
lydrants lacked power and the stream
vas not of much service. Mr.. Hogue
avs large number of faucets are left
'unning IN tiie closets, causing the lack
)i power. Whatever the cause there
,iAo0Au Ue TemHuF.
The firemen never worked betted.
F. E. Allen < Co. win save most OF
heir stoves, but lost good deal OF other
things such as salt, etc. Their loss is
probably 500.
Arrangements should be made for an
other opera house. Albany is too big, q
place 20 be without public building
any length of time.
The cause OF the fire will lie long a
natter OF speculation, and there viii be
! big difference OF opinion. Was it in.
;endiary or accidental.
This morning, during and after the FIRE,
he w, q. T. q. served 10 the firemen
coffee, which was greatly appreciated
In its 4th of July writeup the DENocRAT
neglected to mention the fact thst this
organization had fine float in the par
ade, regular cold water affair.
Stewart & Sox' loss by water running
IN the basement was less than 500.
The Albany Bnilding Association,
owners OF the opera rouse property, are 1
already contemplating the erection OF q
brick opera house IN the site OF the old
,1e. Il should be dene.
The fire department wish to thank the
" G I U and City Restaurant for sub
:tantial favGrs this morning, which were
greatly appreciated.
Mr. Gradwohl will locate his store in
he place vacated by 0'Brien, Mr. Lud-.
wig will go into the Louis corner and Mr.
Beam has not yet secured place but de-
;ires to remain near the same part OF
.he city.
The loss on No l's.engine house was
S25, and j. M. Ralston and G. q. Burk
hart's companies have already paid the
same, old line style.
Prof. w. L. Jackson has been elected
principal OF the Tangent public school
ior the ensuing year. Mrs. Jabkson was
elected assistant.
Herbert Murch, Of the '9S U. of o.
class and winner of the Failing Grafton |
prize, has accepted q position as report |
Or on the Oregonian, Portland, and viii
shortly enter upon his new dudes -
Guard.
]. b. Tiiiotson, well-known contract
or, is 10 the city from Albany. He is
now engaged in driving piles in front OF
Fishers Touring mills, above Corvallis,
TO stop the encroachments OF the Will
annette river during periods OF high
water. Mr.. Tillotson lives at Albany,
which is now in the midst of fields OF
waving grain and new mown hav-Port.