---

THE COLTMAN BLOCK IN RUINS!

On Sunday night about nine o'clock after many of our citizens had retired the shrill cry of fire! rang though our village, and the fire bell began to ring the alarm.

The fire was discovered near the southwest corner of the Coltman Block, and was already well under way when the alarm was given.  The entire Fire Department was soon on hand, the engines began to play upon the fire -- everything working just right.  There was no delay, other than is perhaps incident to any fire, during the first moments of excitement. 

The only weakness at all apparent was a slight disposition to keep away from the engine;  but before this became in any way detrimental ,the people began to relieve each other at the "Brakes" and the engine was kept in motion in fine style, until the three cisterns near the corners were all emptied, and the engine moved upon the Blackfork bridge -- where the supply of water was inexhaustible.

The small engines did noble work at the east end of the building, supplied with water by the ladies and others, throwing their stream over Mr. Ealand's house, and keeping the east end of the building standing as long as possible, in order to shield the row of buildings on the east, while the large engine was engaged in keeping the brick block to the west of the fire safe and the fire from spreading in that direction.

A number of men and women went around to the rear and saved Mrs. Maria Anderson's house, and thus the fire was kept within those limits during the whole time.

The wind was favorable, sending the blaze and sparks directly south through the open space where there are no buildings, thus saving the stables to the southeast, as well as the buildings to the east along the street.  The frames on the north side of Main Street directly opposite the fire, were kept wet with water from buckets, and this was sufficient, aided by the plan of keeping the north side of the burning building standing to the last, so as to prevent the extreme heat from melting down the frames on the north. 

The night was not too cold, the water did not freeze, and all that seemed to be in the way was the mud.  After keeping the fire confined within limits of the frame block wherein it commenced, for several hours, further danger was over, and the surroundings saved.

Mr. John Dempsey owned the two frame buildings to the west of the old Coltman block, occupied by Mr. Robinson as a hardware store, and by Mr. Leibenthal of Cleveland, as a clothing store.  The Coltman building was occupied by Mr. William Sipe who kept the Merchant's Hotel, and by Mr. Coltman, who had a restaurant, and his wife a milliner shop in the east end using the back rooms as a residence. 

The furniture and Hotel equipments of Mr. Sipe were nearly all saved, but in very bad condition.  He had no insurance.

Mr. Coltman got out some of his goods but in the same shape.  No insurance.  The clothing in the store of Mr. Liebenthal was saved.  On the two frame buildings of Mr. Dempsey an insurance existed of $500.

Mr. S.F. Robertson from his stock of hardware saved several show cases, safe and a few other goods, but the remainder will be a total loss.  Insured $3,000 in the Hartford, $1,000 in the Sun of Cleveland, and $1,000 in the American Central of St. Louis.

The total loss is hard to estimate, but we put it at $20,000 on which an insurance of $5,500 will be realized, and an addition to be made of whatever the brick wall of Mr. Dempsey may prove to be damaged, which is covered by an insurance.  We have heard the loss estimated at thirty thousand, but we think that too high.

The financial standing of none of the sufferers will be in the least effected by the fire, and aside from the destruction of property, no losses will occur.

Upon the whole we have escaped wonderfully.  No one seeing the fire during its progress but will say it was almost a miracle to see wind and weather in our favor, and the destruction of property so small as it is.

Col. Dempsey is the heaviest loser as Mr. Coltman's building was covered by mortgage to him, which under the circumstances is a total loss.

Phoenix like, this block will rise again from its ashes, this time of brick, and be rebuilt better than before.

Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon our Fire Department from its Chief down to the men, as well as many of our citizens who labored faithfully at the engines and otherwise.

Mr. David Cummins, at an early stage of the fire was ordered to dispatch to Crestline for aid, and to their honor be it said the "Relief" of Crestline under Mr. Cruzen came to our assistance, among whom we noticed Fred Newman, John Hays and many others.  All honor to Crestline and her brave firemen for their prompt response to our call.  Though coming too late to aid us much, still, in case of emergencies, arising from a further spread of the fire, their assistance would have been invaluable.  Our boys are ready to help Crestline whenever needed.

<< Back to Misc. Records Index

<< Back to the Richland Co., Ohio Index

Friday, May 09, 2008