The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-30
MILFORD POSTOFFICE FIRE
DOES $f5, 600 DAMAGE IN GUNN'S
BLOCK.
Mail Matter All Saved-Firemen HandI-
capped by Many DinicuitIes-Flre May
Have Been Imcendtary.

A%ANS SeSh AheehNtHTys
Milford, Dec 29.-The most serious
confiagration since the destruction of
the Park hotel started this morning in
the postoffice block on River street and
damaged the block to the extent of
about $4,000 while the stock and fix
lures of those doing business in the
blck were destroyed or damaged with
a loss of $4,000 The first alarm was
turned in at 2:45 when fire was discov-
cred by Mrs. Henry Clark of Prospect
street, who aroused the neighborho0d.
At that time the flames were raging
fiercely in a bay window on the first
floor fronting the Weapawaug river,
but had not succeeded in eating their
way to the second story. Arctic En-
CINE company responded quickly and
did good work. The hydrants of the
Milford Water company were used and
the firemen had four streams on the
building up to Z o'clock when the num-
Der was reduced to one. The firemen
battled with the fire in the rear
of the Milford bakery until late this
morning.
B. B. B. Gregory, the proprietor of
the Milford bakery in which the fire
was first discovered, is of the opinion
that the fire was of an incendiary orig
in as it seemed to have started in the
oil tank which was filled on Saturday
with fifty gallons of kerosene oil. Mr..
Gregory roughly estimates his loss at
about $4,000 and is only partially in
sured. The apartment in which the
baking was done is totally destroyed
and the store proper which is situated
in the front of the building is total
loss as far as the stock and fixtures
are concerned, and the wood work is
badly scorched.
The barber shop conducted by
Charles Wilhelmy, directly over the
Milford bakery, was saved as far as
fire was concerned but the volumes of
smoke that issued from the fire below
and the water used will damage his
place of business at least $500.
The drug store conducted by James T.
Highly was damaged principally by wa
ter, although the expensive fixtures and
metal ceilings are complete loss. His
heavy stock of drugs, tobacco and CT
gars We're destroyed. The firemen man
aged to save the prescription books and
the heavy show case in the center of
the room, while Leander Usher, the
clerk at the store. saved what money
was in the cash drawers. Mr.. Higby's
place is covered by insurance.
Gums hall, situated over Higby's
drug store, was also damaged by wa
ter and all of the very elaborate fur
nishings were destroyed. 1t has been
the meeting place for number of
secret societies, and the damage to
this part of the building will it is be-
lieved reach $500.
The Milford postoffice was damaged
only by water. The entire contents was
moved into the street at the time of
the first alarm and while the ceilings
are somewhat smoked UP and water
was ankle deep in the office, Postmas
ter Tibbals had the water cleared out
and the Office was opened for business
late this morning. All of the early
morning mails were left at the depot
until all danger of fire had disappeared,
S. r. and M! c. Ford who occupy the
remainder of the building were hard
ly Inconvenience and were able to
resume business this morning as usual.
The postoffice block is the property
of Hon. George M. Gum, and has been
the scene of three disastrous fires in
the last fifteen years. 1t is worth
about $25,000 1t is considered the bust
ness center Of the town as right direct
ly opposite is situated the town hall
and Milford high school.
In speaking of the fire this morning
Mr.. Gregory said that he was in the
building at / o'clock and left every
thing in good shape, having personally
fixed the fires and attended to other
matters pertaining to the usual early
morning business. He is quite positive
that the fire did not originate from the
oven or the stove in the baking room.
During the fire there were several
firemen who had their hands frozen
and feet frost bitten, among them be-
ing Patrick Nolan and Walter Roder
Mr.. Roder's hands were so badly frost
bitten that he was obliged to seek med
ical attendance.