The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-02-05

forenoon, 4th inst, at IL
o'clock. They spent Saturday, Saturday
nigh:, Sunday and most of Sunday night
in the "coop," and first thing Monday
morning were let out on $1,000 bail,
furnished by themselves and Winnipeg
parties. Barrister Bonnar, of Winnipeg,
is defending the accused. There ap-
pears to be many suspicious circum-
stances connected with the origin of
the disastrous fire.
The losses of Messrs. Sinclair, Stock
and Fairbairn are undoubtedly the
worst individual ones, being total, and
including clothing and household furni-
ture.
Fire Commissioner Lindbech held an
investigation on Monday and will report
his findings to the Attorney Generals
All the insurance companies interest
ed are adjusting matters with all poss-
ible speed, and policy holders appear to
get every consideration in square deal.
The Anglo had another close shave,
as had also Watson's livery barn and all
the rest of the town lying south. That
is where the fire engine and workers
did noble work again.
The telephone service was out out of
commission very shortly after the nlarm
of fire on Friday evening and there was
MT time to give the signal in that direc-
tion. The fierce wind drowned the
sound of the bell, and many citizens
were not aware of the disastrous out
break till late in the evening.
Fire in the various premises was a
regular finance as they each came in
turns. The walls mostly falling in,
instead of out. was cause for deep
thankfulness, and no doubt helped in a
great measure in fighting the confagra-
ton.
An unsightly wall still stands as a
monument to the burned portion of
Emerson's fine Alexandria Block, which
was widely known throughtout the
country and wondered at by visitors to
our town. There are four large vaults
contained in the standing wall. Mr..
Forester made use of one, and thereby
saved many valuable papers. The wall
should be pulled down, or blown up
with dynamite.
The saved portion of the Block had
another narrow escape later on. About
4 in the morning a window sill was
noticed in flames, fire having gradually
eaten it's way to that point under cover,
and broke out afresh. Constable Will
son, with some assistance, subdued it
with a few buckets of water, but not be-
fore the sill was burned out. A spark
in birds nest no doubt caused the
second alarm, and scare. It would have
been most serious had the blaze not
been noticed Just in the nick of time.
A special train from Pembina brought
many citizens from across the line, will
ing and ready to render any assistance
in their power, and some of them got in
some noble work. 1t was gracious act
on the part of the N. p. R., and as soon
as Agent Warner (Pembina) notified
headquarters at Grand Forks Supt. Sow
ereign at once gave orders for the special
in all possible speed. The train brought
it's passengers to the bridge and waited
till all danger was over.
The postofice has appropriated part of
the Customs premises on Dominion
street and Postmaster Mclean and able
assistants have things quite handy and
comfortable again. Almost everything
in the postofice was taken out and not
one article of His Majesty's mail was
lost in the shuttle. Miss Mclean accom-.
plished heroic service in the swift dis
patch of mail. The telegraph Office has
gone out of business down town for the
time being and all kilograms are handled
from the G. p. r. depot. The location
makes fairly good postofice, but surely
there is an extra excuse now for hustl-
ing along the new building, the safe for
which was already here and has now
found resting place among the ruins.
The engine never worked better, and
Il 1t was often damned before, it certain
y won praises for itself this time.
There is no discount on the fire fighters.
either. The fire was red devil.
Good Bros, of the Star Cafe, went
light to work and bought out the
Olympia from Nat. McRae, and in future
he Star will be located on Dominion
treet. They will operate the bakery,
unch and confectionery business. Mr..
dcRae and family will again take up
esldence on the farm.
Scarff's harness emporium is in a
ample room of the Anglo D. For
ester's law Office is now next door to
'urtney's on the ground floor The
oURNAL man is sometimes on the street.
nd sometimes in his room.
Casselman's drug store is now to be
ound next the Bank of Ottawa, in the
remises formerly the jewelry store. {
lutte lot of his stock was rescued, {
nd after he gets insurance matters
sttled he will proceed to tidy up again. {
entral lis also here for the long dis
.nce, with Misses Williams and Smith I
n duty, as per usual.