New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-12
LOSS NAY BE MILLION
MONTICELLO P4R1LYZED.
Nearlg Forty-fue Buildings De
StrOyed-COunty Records Burned.
IRy releeraph % DC rrlbune. J

power house Of the Monticello Electric Power Com
pany at O'Clock Tuesday night. The flames
spread 10 the Palatine Hotel the Paatine Theatre.
the First National Bank the Masonic Temple. the
Bolsum House. the Hotel Rockwell and many other
business places and private buildings. In all there
were nearly forty-:ive buildings destroyed and had
IL not been for the hard work Of the fremen the
postohice building, the Methodist Church. the Eps
copal rectory and forty more buildings would have
been destroyed.
Included in the property that was destroyed were
the printing plants Of The Monticello Watchman''
and THE Sullivan County Republican and the Of
fees OF the SURROGATE. the Sheriff and the County
Treasurer. with their valuable records. Not law
yer in the village has Office and library to-day.
From Court Square down Broadway the old
Monticello House. side and the home Of
stephen Strong, on the other, all is in ruins. and
the desolation extends as far back as the next
streets on both sides only two stores standing.
high wind carried the flames east and west.
both sides of Broadway, and the fire soon
beyond control In this extremity aid
rnoned from Port Jervis, and Edgar J. Harding.
chief engineer, AMI seventy-ave and fire APP
paratus were taken 10 Monticello a special TRAN
over the Ontario & Western Railroad. Their ar
rival was greeted with cheers by the people. who
had lost hope. The Liberty Fire Department also
rendered assistance
At i O'Clock this morning the fire was Under con-
troll. Some OF the buildings were blown up with
dynamite. Communication cut of with Mon
teeio by the destruction Of the telephone ana tele
tfdIn oHceS, Cut early this morning a telephone
booth was erected by the Hudson River Telephone
Company in the open air. The National Union Bank
also resumed business in an undertaker's office.
IL is estimated that the loss is S50occo while some
place IL as high Sl00O0O. The insurance is about
$4,000. Several fremen bruised by falling,
and one was overcome by smoke
The list Of burned buildings include the Rockwell
House. the Bolsum House. the Palatine Hotel the
electric light plant, Murrays Music Hall. the
Union National Bank. the Masonic Temple, W.
w. Johns hardware store The Republican Of
hce, THE Waterman" office John F. Tymesons
house, Dr. J. +. curerte's house. the Hudson
River Telephone Offices Kelley's candy kitchen
Thornton & Mfler's drug store Hammond &
Cooks department stores Burns & Taylors de-
partment store, Loderhoses bakery. F. l.. Strongs
grocery store, John Heath's stationery store
Wilbur Strongs stationery store. Thomas Dough-
ertys undertaking establishment the law offices
OF John u. Lyon and George Cook, DIR. J. G.
Osbornes dentist office. George Handley's cafe,
Peton's millinery store. s. q. Carpenters shoe
store. Grain Rundle's drug store. the office 81
Dr. William McWillams. Eli Rundle's laundry.
Reuben Swartz's jewelry store. Warren Smiths
hardware store and Fred Carlise's grocery store
Al this time the year Monticello is filled with
summer bosrders, largely from New York city. and
all turned to help the three fire companies OF
the village. Those who were staying at the Rock
well. the Palatine and the Bosum were without any
lodging place to-day. until they had scattered in
the surrounding country. Nearly all Of them were
able to save their personal effects.
The only method of communication between
Monticello and the outside world this morning
was established top Of telephone pole by
ineman, who opened communication with Middle
town.
The Shern7s house saved by jail prisoner.
who kept playing garden hose on the building.
There were reports Of footing, and the Sheriff
hook precautions 10 stop il. He swore I'm a large
posse and attempts plsging were stopped
one Of the greatest losses by the fire is the de-
struction OF thousands OF wills and records Of the
county. Stanley Gavin, secretary Of the County
y ed a
mart Of the records but the rest were Destroyer
i've minutes after the flames reached the old build
ang in which they were stored A few months ago
Judge Roosa begged the Supervisors TO provide FIRE
rroof cases for the documents, but was told they
would have wait until a new courthouse was
FINISHED
Fire chief John Burns dscredited the story OF loot
yrs but II is known that several trunks thrown from
windows were rihed. and a gang tried 10 rob tho
Adams express office when the fire was al us
height The safe Of the National Bank stood the
test ~ the fire. and several thousand dollars was
recovered.
The heaviest individual losers George Rock
well proprietor OF the Rockwell House. and Peter
{ Murray who owned not only the Palatne House.
but ne recently installed electric light plant and
assembly hall Mr. Murray was in New York, and
returned this afternoon 10 ma everything swept
lway by the flames.
Fire Chief Burns said tonight:
we cannot be too thankful the hundreds Of
summer boarders. and especially 10 the fremen and
they did II is too much TO say that II our
friends from Port Jeryis had not torn down the
Carlisle Building. and our own boys had not saved
The postofice there would not have been roof
standing in Monticello tonight our chief trouble
was that when tried 10 use dozen lines Of
hose the pressure divided that il next
20 useless. one reason the postofice saved
was that most OF hose had been destroyed by
that time
Handbnls were scattered tonight announcing
What the Monticello Relief Association Will give the
receipts OF a performance be given in a tent
theatre Saturday FOR the relief of the fire SUI
fefers. Other measures have been taken 10y the
town authorities for the immediate relief Of those
snost severely affected
The ST D. ~. train yesterday from Monticello
was awaited the Erie station by husbands.
relatives and friends 81 those whose vaca-
tons terminated by the destructive fire Of
Tuesday night. man from Arlington, y. J.. was
there 10 tell his wife and three children that New
York City Was cooler ana more restful than Month
cello.
Their board was paid until the 18TH" he said.
IF the landlord saved his cash box and hasn't
forgotten the incident may take them to Coney
Island to matters IL it doesn't turn too
cold ne added. with a smile
A large man with insufficient breath and an ample
German accent said he looking for his brother
His brother was married. he said and was spend-
ing his vacation with his wife little girl at one
Of the hotels that burned He had heard that they
Were safe but he was anxious TO have the report
physically confirmed.
The three got OF the train and would have been
surrounded by the large man who had waited ex-
cept that tho incoming brother larger stiu The
wife slight, i'm peaceful eyes and quiet man
The Incoming German was still visibly excited
Two leather bags and The responsibility OF getting
his family home caused beads of perspirstion TO
slisten his forehead He wore brass spectaces.