Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-19

HouIton, Me, May 1S.-The most dis
astrous fire in the history of this town
started at noon, Saturday, and before
it was finally gotten under control late
in the afternoon, it had destroyed the
greater part Of the business section, Z,
residences and three churches, entailing
a loss Of fully 100000, only one-third OF
which is covered by insurance. One
hundred and twenty-five families are
homeless, and the loss to the town is
one which Will require many years to
repair
The town fire department. powerless
to cope alone with the flames. was ably
assisted by firemen from Woodstock.
Pressure Isle ana Caribou, while volun-
teers from this and surrounding towns
did excellent service with buckets and
other apparatus in saving property
which would otherwise have been de-
stroyed by the showers Of sparks which
were blown in all directions by the high
wind.
The fire started in the rear Of Dyer's
market and grocery store on the north
side OF upper Main street. and in an
incredibly short time was sweeping
through the business section at a pace
which led many to believe that the en-
tire town would be wiped out Of exist
ence.
Every business block from Mechanic
street to East Main was levelled, as
were the fine residences on the S. T.
Plummer estate and several smaller
residences on Powers avenue.
On Mechanic street, French's brick
block and +. Woodbury. & Cos. occu-
pied by the American Express and a
grocery. was badly damaged.
On the opposite side We're the Almon
Fl. Fogg Cos. two blocks, on the cor
ner of Main. extending to Mechanic
street Their large storehouse, two
blacksmith shops and one paint shop
were destroyed.
On the south side of Main street, from
the corner Of Kelleran, beginning with
F. Woodbury's residence and going
west. every place of business was
burned as far as J. e. Burnham's block.
On Kelleran street, south from Main,
every residence on the west side, and
also the Free Baptist church, were de-
stroyed, while on the east side the fire
burned from the corner of Military
street to within two houses of the cor
ner of Park.
L. Il. Johnson's fine residence and
that Of J. II. Sinclair on Military street
fell victims to the flames.
On High street nearly every residence
south Of the Kicker dormtory TO Hi
ram Smiths residence on the west side
were swept away. and on the east side
nearly everything from the corner of
Park street to the Merritt House.
On Haywood street every residence is
gone from KelIeran street to High on
the north side, but on the south side
one or two residences We're saved.
| The business places burned out are:
| Almon II. Fogg Co., hardware; Mrs.
| Orr. millinery; Leroy Dyer, meats and
groceries: Sincock e. Gillen, millinery;
| Newell. millinery; c. Fl Thorn, stoves;
S. l.. Somerville, groceries and fruit;
keaton &, Belts, furniture; Campbell
bakery and lunch; Martin Lawlis liv-
| cry stable; II. #. Collins, marble work
er: Chinese laundry; Dennis Sheehan
harness maker; I. NJ. Brewster shoes;
bowling alley and fish market; f.
/ 3. Cornelson, barber: Thibadeau Bros
Dewey Hotel; Isaac Yetton, lunch room
| The Unitarian, Free Baptist and
| Methodist churches were also de-
strOyed.