Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-03-29
SOUTHWEST HARBOR FIRE.
Big Hole Burned in Business Center
of Town.

, Big Hole burned IN Business Center
! of Town.
! Four of the principal business
blocks of Southwest Harbor were
wiped out, and a fifth was
badly damaged, by fire early Mon
day morning. The fire started in the
rear OF the general store of A. l.
Holmes about o'clock, and before
it was under control had spread to
the two-story block occupied by the
A. & P. store, the Ralph block, and
/ the building owned by Thomas Law
ton and occupied by his variety
store. 1t also jumped the street to
the Odd Fellows block which was
destroyed The Masonic block
caught fire several times, but was
saved, though badly damaged. The
house of Dudley Mayo, cuilt two or
three years ago, was damaged to the
extent of 81 600 or more, though the
family is still able to occupy it.
Several other buildings in the vicin
ity suffered damage. The origin of
the fire is unknown.
The total loss is estimated at
$125,000 The heaviest individual
loss falls upon Arson |. Holmes,
whose store and stock were valued
at about $45, 900. 1t represents the
accumulation of a lifetime, in which
Mr.. Holmes had built up a large
business from small beginning on
the same site.
The second floor of the A. & P.
building was occupied as dwelling
apartments by Mr.. and Mrs. John
Carroll. Mr. Carroll owned the
building He saved practically
nothing from his apartments.
The Ralph block was occupied by
j. H. Montgomery's drug store,
Ralph's restaurant, with Ralph's
boarding house occupying the upper
floors. The loss in this building is
represented at $50 600.
+ The Odd Fellows block was valued
at $4,000, though it would cost
twice that to replace it to-day
There was an insurance of only
$4,000. In this four-story building
were located the dry goods store of
Arthur L. Somes, the jewelry store
of Eugene Thurston, the central tel
ephone Office the law offices
of George R. Fuller, the dental Of
fees of DR.. Philip Gilley, the office
of Superintendent of Schools Clark,
the customs office, and the quarters
of the Odd Fellows lodge Miss
Anna Robinson. night telephone
operator, is one of the heroes of the
fire, remaining at her post sending
out calls for assistance until driven
from the building by the heat of the
fire.
When the fire was at its height.
it looked as if nothing could save the
entire village. The Park theatre
building built about two years ago
and practically fire proof, stopped |
the spread of the fire in that direc-
ton. The combination truck from
Bar HarbOr arrived after a gruelling |
drive Of four hours over difficult |
spring roads, but the local fremen |
had already won desperate fight.
Southwest Harbor is badly strick-
en- by the fire, but the spirit of the
people is undaunted. Recovering |
from the first stunning effect of the |
catastrophe, on every side are heard |
expressions of thankfulness that it |
was no worse, and determination !
that better Southwest Harbor shall |
arise from the ashes. 1t is early yet, |
pending insurance adjustments, to |
talks definite rebuilding plans, but |
Thomas Lawton has already an !
nounced that he will rebuild at |,
once.