Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1909-01-16

burned some four years ago. The build
ing was owned by Mr.. F. d. Perkins,
who resides in Mckinney. 1t was bet
ter known, however, as the Astin build
ing and was erected in 1874. 1t was
a large structure, extending entirely
through the block from Main to Bryan
street, on each-of which it fronted 80
feet, with side wall of 200 feet Glong
Moscley.
The first floor, of the building was oc-
cupied by the First National Bank, Jno.
NJ. Lawrence & Co., grocers, and Joe
Kosh's saloon. The bank occupied rs
feet fronting Main, on the corner OF
Mosely, extending back for distance
of 100 feet, Mr. Kosh occupying 20 feet
fronting Bryan, on the corner of Nose
ly, and extending back to the banks
partition wall, and Jno. Nj. Lawrence
q Co. occupying 20 feet front on Main,
and extending through to Bryan.
A portion of the second floor OF the
building, about % by 100 feet, was oc-
cupied by the Bryan Evening Pilot,
owned by Mr.. A. J. Buchanan. The
remainder of the second floor was di.
vided into offices for professional men,
but were all vacant at the time of the
fire, except the Pilot office and that oc-
cupied by Messrs. A. X. Brown and
Whit Doremus, representing Busch &
Witherspoon, cotton buyers of Waco,
who lost all office furniture.
Messls. Martin & Lock confectioners,
occupying the building adjoining on
the south are losers to some extent by
having one of their expensive show
cases broken and their furniture dam
aged in moving out.
The total property loss resulting, is
about $4,000.
Vice-President Boatwright Of the
First National Bank stated that his in
stitution was fully insured and will not
suffer any loss whatever. The bank
vault is intact. and only the furniture
was burned. Until further arrange
ments are made the First National
will transac business at Mr.. E. J.
Fountains store on Main street.
Lawrence & Co lost all of their
stock of groceries, but saved their
books, cash registers and office adding
machines. They were among the lar
gest dealers in the city. They We're
insured to some extent.
Joe Kosh carried a large stock of
liquors, wines, cigars, etc He too had
some insurance.
Mr.. A. J. Buchanan, owner of the
Pilot, lost everything he had in the
building The fire originated In his
business office, and from there quickly
burned through the composing room,
hi, big Cranston cylinder printing ma
chine and platten presses falling
through to the Kosh saloon under his
press room when the fire had burned
away the supports beneath. Mr.
Buchanan carried some insurance. but
nothing like a sufficient amount to
cover his loss.
Mr.. Buchanan lost all even his
books and mailing lists and galleys.
Mr.. Kosh will lose approximately
$4,000, or perhaps little more, lack.
ing about that sum of having sufficient
insurance to cover his stock
Mr.. John DAILY Jr., was among the
first at the fire. The fire truck was
driven to the scene by Chief Hamilton,
who rushed over and hitched the team
to the hose wagon, the regular driver
being confined to his home with grippe.
The fire was fought with buckets on
account OF weak pressure from the fire
hydrants. Chief Hamilton stated to
the Eagle man that had there been the
usual pressure he could have confined
the blaze to the second floor of the
building, and believes that he could
have prevented it burning into the
press room of the Pilot Office Mr..
DAILY and others who fought the fire
with the chief and members of the
department are of the same opinion. A
bucket brigade was organized and
buckets purchased from a hardware
store for the purpose of carrying
the water to the roof of an adjoining
building, where it was thrown on the
fire. Some water was obtained for the
buckets from the hydrants, which
would yield small quantity; nearby
cisterns were also depleted of their
supply which was poured on the fire.
With true Bryan grit, those burned
out are getting in shape to continue
business as nearly as possible without
interruption. As stated, the First
National merely moved its headQu.-r.