The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-12-19
A MOST DESTRUCTIVE TIRE
DAMAGES NEARLY HALF BLOCK

roOI Ol tne DullulnB, having penetrated
through the two floors and the roof.
The second floor as well as the
ground floor. was occupied by the Lewis
store and the third was the extreme
northern room Of the Mccormick fur
niture store annex where a large stock
of mattresses was stored.
AS near as can be ascertained by
those who first saw the fire, it was
started from a small stove which was
used to keep the large glass from frost
ing or steaming in the south window
OF the clothing store. 1t is thought
that In some manner a part of the win
dow display came in contact with the
stove and started the blaze which des-
troyed large portion of the block and
closed Ave business places.
AS soon as the streams of water be-
gan to issue from the two strings of
hose which were in operation, they
were directed on what looked to be
the main part of the fire but it was
seen Immediately that If this course
was pursued it would be impossible to
gain control of the situation. The
blaze was beginning to burn through
the walls both north and south of the
clothing store and that if the tactics
perhaps the entire east side of Main
street would be destroyed. The Lewis
store was doomed to destruction and
all efforts were directed on the build
ings adjoining.
The tiremen worked diligently and
several times imperiled their lives in
changing positions in order to throw
the water to more effect. BY this time
the walls were beginning to be barred
from supporting wood work and were
liable to fall at any moment Several
fell but fortunately none of the fire
fighters were injured
The fire which spread north from its
origin followed the second story of the
building and everything was destroyed
over the Kilkenney cigar store. The
store proper on the ground floor was
destroyed as far as all stock is con-
3erned. the back end being consumed
by the flames and the stock being eth
er burned or rendered OF no value for
any use by the water and smoke Mr..
Kilkenney's loss was covered by in
surance.
The store just north of the cigar
store. "Candyland" suffered very much
from water and smoke, the fire, how
ever, getting in it's work, also. The en-
tire stock of sweets was either des-
troyed or badly damaged and the fix
lures, which were all new, were great
ly damaged. The buildings north of
the Lewis store were damaged above
the first story but the work of the
tiremen saved everything north of
"Candyland." The Odd Fellows block
was not reached nor was the Bope
hardware store which is located below
the hall and just north of the candy
store where the fire was stopped.
Beginning at the south wall of the
ly south and damaged the building oc-
cupied by the Guarantee shoe store
conducted by Mr.. Joseph Levy and the
McHale millinery store adjoining it
on the south. The stock and the fix
lures both In the shoe store and the
millinery store were completely des-
troyed by fire, smoke and water On
the floor above the two stores men,
toned Is the north annex of McCor-
micks furniture store. A large stock of
furniture, mattresses, caskets, etc,
were burned before the flames were
finally checked just before reaching
the main store of the Mccormick Co.
which was not damaged, even slightly.
Large fire-doors adjoining the north
annex and the main store we're closed
ON Thursday evening and this was all
that saved it. The sill under the fire
doors was partially burned and the
metal doors were burned and black
ened but they stood the test.
Early Friday morning after the con-
fiagratlon was under control and the
desolate ruins could be viewed to bet
ter advantage, it was most dis
couraging sight. The stores were COM
pletely ruined and large blackened tim
bers and glowing embers marked the
place where brilliant displays of
Christmas goods and general stock of
the establishments stood before the
fire. All of the stores destroyed had
been well supplied with holiday
stock in preparation for Christmas
which Is only a little over week
away.
The catastrophe Of Friday morning
was the worst that has befallen the
business portion OF the city tor man,
years and was one Of the most destruc-