The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-02-01
EMERSON, MAN.,
HAS TERRIFIC FIRE
ENTIRE BLOCK OF CANADIAN
CITY, JUST ACROSS FROM
PEMBINA WIPED OUT
LOSS 100000.

Emerson. Man. Feb. 1.-The worsA
tire that has ever occurred in Emer-
son started Friday evening at $50
o'clock and completely destroyed
100000 worth OF property. The hre
started in the extreme north end OF
the Alexandria block in q store for
merly occupied By Bell a Co, ana al
present rented to Pereleg Bros. who
have been conducting a bankrupt
/ stock sale.
Amongst the heaviest losers are
Pereles Bros, stock in hand covered
by $4,000 insurance; Good Bros. res
taurant, loss $4,000 insurance, $1,000:
postofice and G. p commercial Once.
loss $1,000, insurance s50ta Emerson
Journal Office, loss $1,000, insurance.
$500; Casselman's drug store. loss
$4,000. insurance $4,000: Manitoba.
government telephone Office. loss ST.
oo0 insurance unknowns w. r. Scarff,
loss $4,000, small insurance
The two stories of the block were
used as residential flats and ofices
and among the losers are: w. J. Nc
Clelland, $500, insurance $500; w. 3.
Fairhairn, partial loss $500, no insur-
ance; Mrs. Good, loss $500, small in
surance; w. j. Cherry. loss 500 no
insurance; Mrs. Sitlington, loss $500,
no insurance; D. Forester. loss $500
small insurance; Principal Crearer.
loss 5000, no insurance. w j. Nichol.
loss $500, no insurance; 4. G. Muir-
head loss 5000, no insurance.
Besides the numerous small losses
local syndicate. owners Of the block
lose two thirds of an $4,000 building.
covered by $4,000 insurance.
lneendiarisnn Suspected.
There is suspicion of incendiarisrn
and 1t is likely an investigation will
be held. The occupants of the store
at the time of the fre state that the
stove was knocked over, causing the
blaze. In 20 minutes after the Are
commenced, the entire end OF the
large block was in flames, and with
the assistance of strong northwest
wind 1t looked as IL the whole business
portion of the town was doomed.
The fire brigade worked hard to
control the fire but the area to cover
was too large for the towns eouio
ment and the efforts OF the brigade
were directed to saving the buildings
across the street The good work OF
the firemen doubtless saved the Ang-
To- American hotel, Christie's livery
barn, Watson's livery barn, Turner's
blacksmith shop, A. Riyard's house,
Van Whort's livery barn and other
adjoining small buildings besides the
southerly division of the Alexander
block
For three hours the fire lasted and
the residents of the country for ten
miles around were attracted to the
scene. A special rain conveying 200
citizens of Pembina, N. D., came over
to lend any possible assistance.
Business Center Of Town.
The Alexandra building was built
during the boom days and had the
largest frontage of any building in
Manitoba. It occupied an entire block
with 300 feet facing on Main street.
w. Fairbanks, now of Winnipeg, was
the original owner. There was Thir-
teen stores on the ground floor. The
part saved was built.in 1892 and that
destroyed was a 200-foot addition
built the following, year. The build
Ing has been the pride of Emerson
since it's construction and occupied an
imposing position n Main street. For
4 number of years Il has been the
commercial and business center of the
town.
The strong wind drove the Are over
The first fire wall and for time IL
ooked as IL the entire block must 60
but the wind subsided and the COM
oined efforts of the citizens and the
ire brigade, saved the southerly Sec
ton All telephone communication
with the town has been destroyed.