FIRE! FIRE!
Causes a Loss of $25,000 in Necedah
Seven Buildings, Including the Armstrong House, Wiped Out of
Existence!
A Clean Sweep From Dupre's To The Rink!
Insurance, $10,000
Fire Discovered First in Reed's Drug Store -- Origin of the Fire Not
Known!
The Prompt Action of Citizens Prevents Fire From Crossing the Street -- Necedah
Lumber Co's Store Has A Close Call!
Most of the District Will Be Rebuilt Right Away -- Good Work Done. -- Necedah
Needs a Fire Department -- All About the Losses and Insurance, Etc.
Necedah Republican [Necedah, Juneau Co., WI], Sept. 24, 1886
THE FIRE.
At 12"30 o'clock Tuesday morning, the fire alarm was sounded by the hoarse
steam whistles and load cries of men. The fire when first discovered was
in the back room of Reed's drug store, but before any number of persons had
arrived upon the scene, the fire had communicated to the adjoining buildings,
and looked as if our entire business center was to be destroyed.
The fire was first discovered by Mr. E. D. ROGERS, who had been reading until quite late. He laid his book away and was enjoying a quiet pipe, when he heard a crackling noise, which he at once proceeded to investigate by passing into the adjoining room, where the glare of flames were reflected on the walls. He immediately alarmed his neighbors, and they set to work to get the pump and hose in readiness of action and thus the battle commenced, with the red-hot enemy in possession of our works.
About the only means of fire defense controlled by the village is a pipe laid through the street, with hydrants and hose. But as they pump is property of N. L. Co., and they use it but very little during the summer, therefore it is not always ready at an instant's warning to serve the public.
So on this occasion it was sometime before a proper stream was forced through the pipe, partly through time required in steaming up and the inexperience or want of presence of mind of those in charge. ALthough late in getting on the field it did great service; it saved what remains of the business center. By this time the fire became so hot that the full force of the pump was required upon the Necedah Lumber Co's store, which several times was on fire; had it burned would have carried the buildings on the east side with it, and probably have finally accomplished wholesale destruction by communicating to the lumber yard. When the great heat at Reed's store had spent itself, one stream was brought to bear upon the south wing of the fire at Welch's building, Dupre's brick store furnished a good check, although it looked once as if the fire would flank the boys at this point and continue on in its destructive course. On the north another stream quenched the firey demon at the old house next to the rink; thus fire was controlled. But a clean sweep was made from Dupre's to the rink, as follows: M. W. WELCH, building; F. A. CANFIELD, building; T. WESTON & Co., building; H. F. YOUNG, store, residence and workshop; S. HILES, building; J. H. ARMSTRONG, Armstrong House; T. WESTON & Co., dwelling. N. L. Co's store was scorched and front glass all broken; the postoffice and Bishop's buildings show the effects of heat.
Although Necedah has no organized fire company, the fire Tuesday morning
showed plenty of citizens, that could be trusted in any emergency. And
the men were not alone, for many of our ladies were equally as brave and
courageous.
The following is a list of the losses. The figures in nearly every
case has been given by the individual interested:
T. WESTON & CO. owned the building in which the fire originated. Loss, 2,000; insured, for $1000. Will probably be rebuilt, if it is, will be substantial, either of brick or iron.
WM. A. REED, drugs, medicines, etc., occupied the north half of this building. Loss estimated, $4,500; insurance $4,600. Dr. Reed loses a fine medical library and entire set of instruments. His safe went through the hottest of the fire in good shape.
E. S. MINER, stationery, blank books, school supplies, etc., occupied the south room. Loss, $900; insurance $500. The safe went through the fire, but it was left door up and the pipes were turn on, and the books were scalded.
MISS EMMA ACKERMAN, dressmaker, rooms on second floor. Loss, $200; no insurance.
MISS F. A. GEE, dressmaker, rooms on second floor. Loss, $300; no insurance.
DR. M. W. MULLOWNEY, office on second floor. Loss, library, instruments and clothing, $350; no insurance.
H. F. YOUNG, furniture stock, household goods and building; saved furniture in dining, setting and one bed room, and a small part of stock in front store room, probably, $150. Total loss $2,000; no insurance. The family have moved into the Summerside residence, opposite Babcock's. H. F. Young has been in business in this village for the past ten years. Will open again as soon as a room can be found.
AMERICAN-NORSK, store building was owned by Samuel Hiles of Dexterville.
It was built in 1883, and cost $2,200; it was insured for $1,000. It
was occupied by:
F. E. HURD, dealer in general merchandise; August Charnholm, manager.
Stock between $8,000 or $9,000; goods partially saved, but damaged;
insurance $2,500; loss and damage will exceed the amount of insurance.
They have secured the France building for the present. They propose
to re-engage in business as soon as a proper place can be found and are now
waiting for the insurance adjusters.
In the second story of this building,
W. E. ARMSTRONG'S household furniture was stored. Loss $600;
no insurance.
The loss of the ARMSTRONG HOUSE, was the greatest incurred by the fire, both to its proprietor, John H. Armstrong, and to the village. Some of the bedding and one stove was saved. The loss is estimated at $6,000; had been insured for $3,750 on building and $1,000 on furniture; but the first policy had expired. Mr. Armstrong purchased the hotel six years ago. The family have moved onto the farm east of the village. Will erect a temporary place for his bar immediately, which is now located in the room under the Opera House; his liquors suffered the same fate along with T. M. Canfield's.
LOUIS PFAFF, the Armstrong House barber, places his loss at $25. Located at Central House for the present.
THE OLD HOUSE, property of T. Weston & Co., was unoccupied at the time. Loss, $600; insured for $300.
The rink woodshed was razed to insure the safety of the rink and other buildings.
CANFIELD'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, was erected in 1884; the building and fixtures were owned by Dr. F. Antes Canfield. Loss, $3,000; insurance, $1,300. Dr. Canfield has decided to build again on the lots where the Chamber of Commerce stood. The new building will be built on a different plan; it will have a front of 42 feet and will be 66 feet deep and will be divided into store or business rooms.
THOS. M. CANFIELD, occupied the first floor of the Chamber of Commerce as a sample room and billiard hall; loss on liquors, and barn back of building, $300; no insurance. The liquors were saved from the fire, and afterwards stolen.
THE BAND BOYS used the upper room in this building for practice. They saved all property but a four dollar lamp.
M. W. WELCH owned the building occupied by J. E. Daly and E. Peltzel. The building was erected in 1882; cost, $1,150; it was insured for $800. Mr. Welch will sell the ground probably, but in case he does not, he will rebuild.
JOSEPH E. DALY, dealer in jewelry, stationery, fruits, etc., occupied the first floor of the Welch building. His stock invoice $2,500; a large part of it was removed from teh building. Loss estimated at $700; insurance, $500; available on goods destroyed, $300. Mr. Daly has been in business in Necedah seven years and proposes to continue, if a suitable store can be found. He has possession, temporarily, of the Nooney building.
EDWARD PELTZEL, merchant tailor, occupied the second floor of the Welch building; part stock saved; loss, $150; no insurance. He has moved his shop to his residence for the present. He will probably buy a lot and put up a building.
THOS. NOONEY. This gentlemen owned a barn back from the Welch building, that cost to build, $175; insured for $100; contained small amount of hay.
L. DUPRE & SON. This firm occupies the only brick store in the village. At this point the south wing of the fire was checked; the contents of store was moved out when the fire was hottest; loss and damage placed at $150.
VILLAGE OF NECEDAH lost its calaboose, three hundred feet of sidewalk and one street lamp; loss, $500.
NECEDAH LUMBER CO'S STORE, which was badly scorched, and the glass broken, blankets damaged, etc., will use up $600 before the place will be in as good shape as before.
JAKE GROSSE left his front door open and went out the back way to fight the fire. His loss was about $30; no insurance.
It is the sacred duty of every town and village to be prepared for fire with the best equipments for extinguishing their means will permit. We, as a village, have none. Let us profit by the lessons of the past and act promptly, so that when misfortune in shape of fire shall again overtake us, we may be prepared to meet it as we ought and before we are entirely destroyed.
A CARD
I wish to hank my friends for the assistance given me on the night of the
fire and feel especially grateful to the ladies, who watched my goods on
the street. Very Truly, J. E. DALY
THANKS
Mr. and Mrs. H. F. YOUNG take this opportunity to return thanks to the citizens
of Necedah for the timely assistance rendered them during the late fire,
in which their home and property were destroyed, feeling greatfully indebted
to the people assisting, for what they have saved.
THANKS
We desire to thank the people of Necedah for the faithful work performed
during the fire last Monday night in saving our stock of goods from the
American-Norsk store. It was by your efforts that so much was rescued
and we are grateful. We shall resume business in a few days and shall
be pleased to see our customers again. Yours Respectfully, F. E. HURD.,
A. O. CHARNHOLM, Manager