Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-06-14
MIDNIGHT BLAZE.
coomBs BLOCK GUTrED By
FIRE SATURDAY NIGHT.
sprrSprp WORK BY yTn1nnH PRE-
rryrs CONFEDERATION - NARHow
ESCAPE or PRrERs BLOCK.

ESCAPE or PETERS BLOCK.
r,s large two-story wooden building
:, the north side OF Main street, just east
.,,ne Union river bridge, known a. the
roombs block, wss Quilted BY firs shortly
.s.r midnight Saturday. The loss on
.,,,d;ng and 10 tenants Ii estimated ct
.,on, $4,000, with insurance aggregsting
ESQ. - ,.
wine out the Peters block adjoining, and
,hs row OF brick buildings on State street.
several agencies contributed to the pre-
rsn.ion OF a widespread confiagration,
arst Of all being the splendid work OF the
Ellsworth firemen. Chief Goodwin had
ort all the available force and apparatus,
;,cluding the Ellsworth Falls company.
soon after the fremen arrived eight
strong streams OF water were pouring on
the fire.
PETERS BLOCK IN DANCER.
Other favorable conditions were the
direction OF the wind which was awsy
from the buildings in the immediate
vie,uity, and the fact that the solid brick
wall Of the Peters block, where 1t joined
the burning building, prevented the
suread of the fire in that direction, while
the iron shutters on the rear Of the State
street extension OF the Peters block, or
what was formerly the Brady block, az
forded further protection.
These shutters werc closed promptly
after the fire broke out by some Of those
arst on the scene. In spite OF all the fire
found one weak spot In the building, Just
beneath the CUTTERS, and tongues OF fame
made their appearance in the attic close
under the caves. Here few OF the Grand
Army men, and nremen, with chemicals
and short piece Of hose from the
faucet in Grand Army hall, made . good
stand, and saved the building.
oooxBs BLOCK DOOMED.
The Coombs block was early seen to be
doomed. Just where the Are started is in
doubt, but IT first made its appearance In
the rear OF p. II. Bonsey's bakery. II was
about i2.i5 o'clock when the alarm was
given. Mr.. Bonsey left the building
about IL O'Clock, and be says there was no
evidence OF fire there when he left.
In the light frame building the fire
spread rapidly and soon swept through
the second floor, which was occupied by
the Campbell Publishing Co., publishers
of the Ellsworth Enterprise. The entire
roof was soon sblaxe, and sparks and
burning shingles were carried long dis
tanccs across the river. Streams OF water
were kept on Odd Fellows block, Han
cock house stable and other buildings in
that vicinity. Sunday large pieces OF
chsrred shingles were picked up beyond
the Black homestead on the surry road.
The fire made a complete wreck OF the
upper part OF the Coombs block and the
bakery, while the other two stores on the
ground floor, occupied by r. II. Shea,
pool room, though escaping the full force
o. the fire, were ruined by smoke and
water
THE LOSSES.
The building was owned by Col. c. Z.
Burrill ttwo-thirds interestl and the Dom
aid VI. Stuart estate (onc-thirdl. The
building was valued at 1900, with insur-
5000 and the Stuart estate u ,oco.
Mr.. Bsnsey estimates his loss at q, 500,
with insurance Of 200.
Mr.. Shea, loss about 1900; insurance
500.
Lnnehan billiard room, est mated loss,
1900; insurance, f7s0.
Campbell Publishing Co., estimated loss,
5000; insurance, k3,70o.
The damage to tho Peters block is COM
psratively slight.
The Coombs building was built in the
early '7os by the late Jacob w. Coombs.
The site was formerly occupied by the old
Peters horse sheds and stable.
r. VI. Campbell, Of the Campbell Pub
fishing Co., says he will rc-establish his
printing business and resume publication
OF the Enterprise - soon a. possible after
insurance is adjusted.
2. II. Shea will re-establish himself In
business as soon - loss 10 adjusted. He
will probably occupy rooms on the second
moor OF some once building on Main street.
David Linnshan has rented the Gaynor
building on Water street, and will reopen
ais billiard and pool room there.
+. Il. bonsey 10 not yet prepared to say
what he will do, until the full extent OF
damage to his ovens ID ascertained.
APPRECIATION or yIRs DEPARTMENT.
10 the Editor Of The american:
desire through your paper to express
my appreciation OF the prompt, Intelligent
saturday night.
The very dangerous situation WAS
handled with skin and GOODNESS, and
tnere Il no doubt that the good work
o. the hremeu prevented . spreading OF
.ne nre and destruction OF much valuable
property.
As an QHner Of huildinas In tina vicinity