Smyrna times., 1905-04-26
DISASTROUS FIRE VISITS
GRIEvES' LIVERY STABLES

ulIIlTLU LlVLlII OIHUllO
WIPES OUT STABLE AND SHEDS AT AN
AGGREGATE LOSS OF $500 OR $1,000.
Broke Out About -Four O'clock Yesterday After.
noon and Was Only Kept from Spreading
by Valiant Services of Hose Company.
Smyrna was visited by another dis
astrous fire yesterday which had it not
been for the valiant services of our
Fire Company and the fact that there
was little or no wind, might have been
very sweeping in its extent. At about
a quarter to four o'clock fire was dis
covered In the rear part of the hay
loft OF Il. B. Grieves' livery stable,
back of the Smyrna House, and scarcely
before the alarm could be given it had
enveloped the whole building. When
the Hose Company arrived, which was
unusually prompt, the building was
beyond control, and the efforts were
turned to saving the surrounding
buildings from destruction. There
could hardly have been a more dan
gerous location for a fire, for in almost
direct line were eight or ten stables
which would have been a regular tin
der box if the fire had been allowed to
spread to say nothing of the Smyrna
House and other properties in the
business section of the town. 1t
was an awful situation, but thanks
to the efficient services of our
Hose Company, the fire was confined
to the stables and sheds of II. B.
Grieves and the stable of James W.
Spruance. The stable was burned
completely to the ground. Mr.. Grieves
succeeded in saving all of his stock
and most of his property and his loss
will figure approximately $1,000, which
is partly insured. The building, which
is said to be valued at $500, belonged
to Cyrus p. Gears, and was insured
for about $1,000. The loss to James
W. Spruance will amount to several
hundred dollars. The latter's stable
was rented by G. S. Martin to store his
agricultural implements. These were
gotten out and saved with but little
damage
The origin of the fire is unknown,
Cor IL 20 olairna1 kbok NJ ono ba5 t.oo,,
in the hay loft that afternoon and the
mystery of it may never be solved.
The hostlers had just finished clean
ing the horses and Mr.. Grieves had
left scarcely ten minutes before to go
up town. AS soon as the fire was dis
covered, attention was at once turned
to saving the stock. There were seven
horses in the stable at the time and
with the exception of one horse which
was singed, ali escaped without a
scratch. Helping hands also cleared
the carriage house of all the wagons
and carriages, about twelve in number
including the freight wagon and two
large hacks. In the Office we're Mr.
Grieves' books and all the books oi
the Town of Smyrna, of which he il
secretary and clerk. These were
among the last things gotten out
which was just in the nick of time
The harness, robes, about five wagons
and all the fixtures belonging to al
nm 70 dofa iuaru uara oonsuooad =,
the flames. The Hose Company found
it necessary to use all available hose
and had it not been for the new host
recently purchased, it is doubtful
whether the fire could have been con
fined so closely. At one time it il
said that nine or ten buildings wer,
on fire but the constant playing o
streams of water kept the building
from falling an easy prey to the flames
A slight breeze was blowing from til,
, north, which carried the sparks in tn
direction of Martins blacksmith shop
the stables of J. Henry Jefferson, DIR
, J. w. Clifton, Mrs. E, X. Boehmler
]. w. Spruance, Boehmler's Ice house
and others, all of which were at on
time afre aud in imminent danger
Not until Grieves' stable burned dow
was the danger passed. The fire drew
large crowd of spectators. Mr.
: Grieves has rented a portion of Col
Inns stable on Main street and will
: make his temporary quarters ther
: where he will be glad to serve his pa
: irons as before.
TWO PIPES RRRAK nuT AT KRNTnN.