The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-10-16

lnOnaS lapperS livery SudDle ohturUdy
night and although the fire alarm was
given and the fire companies responded |
promptly, yet the fire spread rapidly
and was not conquered until ten build |
ings and thirteen business places, $50, 900
worth of property, had been destroyed
by the fiery-tongued fiend, 1t was the
greatest conilagration that has visited
Reynoldsville in quarter of a century
There was a strong wind blowing at the
time, which famed the flames into a
fierce and uncomfortable demon that
seemed determined to swallow up the
entire portion of Main street west OF
Fifth street. 1t was only by the brave
and persistent work of our noble volun-
teer firemen that the flames were finally
conquered. We want to say right here
that our firemen deserve great deal of
praise for the gallant work they did
Saturday night, for they certainly had
a long and extremely hot fight before
they gained the victory over the fiery
element. The fire started at 11.15 p.
m. and 1t was 200 a. m. before the
danger was passed.
When the fire alarm was given men
rushed into Mr.. Tapper's livery stable
and found that the fire had good start
in the hay NOW. The horses were
and all the buggies, hacks and carriages
on first floor were taken out, but all the
sleighs, sleds, robes, feed, &C., on second
floor and all the single harness were
burned. Mr.. Taper lived in front part
OF the stable, on second floor, and all
his household goods, including gold
watch and chain that had been given to
him, valued at $500, and over 800 In
cash, were destroyed. The Deible
building, between Tapper's and Hotel
Belnap, in which was w. E. Stormer's
meat market and NJ. Geisler's tailor
shop, was licked up by the red-tongued
monster. Adjoining Taper on the
west side was Ezra Hartman's black
smith shop, with residence on second
floor. The fire spread so rapidly that
Mr.. Hartman and family barely escaped
with their lives and were not able to
save anything, not even more clothing
than what they could hurriedly slip on
as they got out of bed. Mr.. Hartman's
team Of horses and wagon was all that
he saved. Ed. Phillips barbershop and
dwelling were the next in the path Of
the fire. Mr.. Phillips succeeded in saw
ing the things out Of his shop and few
household goods. Mrs. Lavina Baum's
residence adjoined Phillips and some OF
her goods were saved, but were badly
damaged j. F.. Miller and John L..
Ewing's meat market also went up in
smoke. Swartz Bros, grocerymen, and
A. z. Snyder, tailor, were on the first
floor of the McGaw building and f. S.
Strawcutter lived on second floor. The
flames licked up the building and two
car load of feed that Swartz Bros. had
just put into their feed department,
besides a large amount Of other things.
Snyder succeeded in removing consider
able Of his stock. Mr.. Strawcutter saved
some of his household goods.
Hotel Mcconnell, one our popular
hostelries, of which the genial Frank j.
Black was proprietor was consumed by
fire fiend. Some OF the furniture was
carried out but was most all either bad.
ly damaged or destroyed entirely by
rough handling, and sparks raining
down upon it. Adjoining Hotel McCon'
nell was two-story frame building
owned by f. A. Mcconnell. The first
floor was used as billiard room by Fred
Biggie, and the second story was used
as annex to Franks Tavern and was
furnished as bed rooms. The next build
ing to that was small brick owned by
f. A. Mcconnell. The first floor was
occupied by r. ]. Thomas barbershor
and second floor was part of the annex
OF Franks Tavern. This was the only
brick building In the path OF the fire
and only the front and one side of 1t was
brick, but that was sufficient to enable
the firemen to get control of the fire
The rear part of the building next te
brick, owned by Mrs. Charles Montgom
cry, was damaged. Mrs. Thomas
Wiudle occupied the first floor of thai
building with her racket store and
lived In rear OF store, and William
Burns lived on the second floor