Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-24
By Sunday Morning Fire
at Lowell, Mass.
Six Engines, 20 Streams, 1856
Firemen Work Six Hours.
Daring Reseues by Firemen and
PoIies..SpeetacuIar Scenes.

Lowell, June pa close summary
Of the damage done in the three alarm
fire which occurred yesterday morning,
Just before o'clock, places the loss at
about $4,000.
The fire, which was the most spec
tacular and the second greatest in the
history of the city, swept an area of
nearly 80 square yards in the heart of
business Lowell. The buildings de-
stroyed are situated on Hurd and War
rem streets. which run parallel.
An investigation into the cause of the
fire has developed no new facts, al
though the theory that it was caused
by lighted cigar stub carelessly
thrown into a corner at the wrestling
matches held in the O'Dowd building
Friday night has been abandoned.
Two brothers, giving the name of
Krackos, who were engaged Friday
night to sweep out the building, were
at work at the time the fire is sup
posed to have started, and though
they state that they left the building
for breakfast with no intimation that
the building was afirc, it is believed
that they will be closely questioned by
the police.
The buildings destroyed are the
ODowed building st. Pauls Methodist
church. Bunker & Hennessy's pool
room and Orville Pcabody's carriage
shop and stable.
1t took 1S5 fremen aided by six en-
gines and 20 streams. six hours to con-
troll the flames, and it was nine hours
after the fire had started before the
last engine went away.
Many deeds of bravery were per-
formed.
One group of firemcn tried to plaC"
ladder against one of the walls Of
ct. Paul's when the wall topplcd over,
seriously injuring Philip Mclaughlin,
a member Of Hose 3, Lieutenant III. A..
Merrill of Truck and Robert l.. Car
land of Truck 3.
All three were badly cut by falling
brick. slate and glass, but not one
would leave the csenc.
Many other caes of burns. suffoca-
ton and proStration from heat took
place. but no one was hurt badly
enough to require hospital treatment
Officer John H. Clark is the hero Of
the fire. He rang in the alarm and
also dashed into the boarding house
conducted by William Watcrhouse,
which adjoins the ODowd building.
and. aided by Miss Edith WatcrhouSe,
located woman in bed unconscious.
Grasping the unconscious woman. he
succeeded in bringing her to the street.
Rushing back. he piloted several other
panicstricken women to the street.
The incidents In connection with the
consuming OF st. Paurs church were
pathetic 1t was one of the oldest and
most historical churches in the city.
From it had been displayed the first
union flag that ever appeared on
church in New England.
While it was being destroyed
meeting of the trustees of the First
Universalist church opposite was held
and an invitation extended to the con-
gregation OF the burned edifice to hold
their services in the Univcrsalist
church tomorrow.
The church was a substantial brick
building and was dedicated in 1929. Tn"
fire completely ale away the roof of the
edifica. a portion Cf the sttscplc only re
naming.
A magnificent organ. valued ut $1,000,
which had Just been repaired at Il cost
IF $4,000. was wrecked by the falling roof
and the fire.
The damage by fire is confined to TIL"
roof. wallis and organ. the auditorium
and basemen suffering, however, from
water.
The total loss will probably amount
to- S50.O00. There il an insurance Of only
$40 100.
The D'IIcwd building is three stories
and Is built Of brick. 1t contains = Skat-
ing rink ard bowling alley, conducted
by Bunker & Hcnncssy, who also own
the adjoining onc-story wooden building.
which was used a.: a pool room.
Since the warm weather began the
skating rink had been closed. hut oCra-
sionally smoke talks and wrestling
matchc.; had been held. over 500 pairs
Of roller skates, an organ. piano ard
other musical instruments were de-
stroyed.
O'Dowd's loss on the building will be
about $4,000. There is an insurance Of
$4,000. Bunker & IIcnncsSy will suffer
a loss Of nearly $4,000.
In the rear of the O'Dowd building
on Warren street is the building Of II.
J.. Tibbetts. which is occupied by Or
the time of the fire he mad put away in
his loft many carriages and SleighS
owned by wealthy residents Of Lowell.
The barn. which is q large one. con-
tanned SO horses and the tlrcmen and
policemen were kept busy In taking out
the struggling animals TibbettS will
lose approximately $4,000. and Peabody
q like amount.
Because of the closeness of all the
buildings and the fiercencss Of the
flames it was impossible for the fire
mon to make Roadway as the streams
on the outside proved useless. while
the few who entered the buildings were
In great danger of the falling walls.
The fire is the second largest in Lo-
wells history. Some years ago the
building occupied by O'Donncll & Gil
bright took fire, a loss of over s175,OOO
resulting.
taials Letter in Bangor COM
merci1l: Arthur Cote of Riddefnrd,
H.. II.