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Source:
Monroe County Appeal, April 4, 1879
About
one o’clock on Tuesday morning last the cry of
“FIRE”
resounded
through our streets, and was immediately taken up by
individuals and hastily carried from house to house, rousing
up the sleeping inhabitants to the realization that the
business portion of the town was on fire. Flames were seen
bursting through the roof, doors and windows of the store
room of
SAMUEL
HEAVENRIDGE
And
now occupied by his son Joe as a drug and notion store. The
residence of W. G. Roy adjoining the store room was next
attacked by the devouring element, and was soon in flames.
The drug store of
JAS.
W. SCOBEE
was
next attacked, and in a few moments was in complete ruin.
From the first it was evident that nothing could be done to
save the three buildings mentioned, and all efforts were
directed to saving the stock of drugs of Mr. Scobee and the
furniture of Mr. Roy, willing hands soon moved the household
furniture to a place of safety, while others were doing all
in their power to save Scobee’s stock of drugs and their
own houses from taking fire. For a time the houses on the
east, north and south were in great danger of being burned,
but by a free use of water and wet blankets all were saved.
The store room of Mr. Heavenridge was so far gone before the
fire was discovered that it was impossible to save anything
there from.
Our
citizens turned out enmasse
and worked like Trojans till the fire was subdued, the
ladies not hesitating to lend a hand when they could be of
any benefit. J.
O. Gooch and C. Carley of Quincy, were in town and did noble
service at the fire. So far as we can learn at this writing
the total loss by the fire will range somewhere between
$1500
AND $2000,
and
is distributed as follows: Heavenridge & son $600; J.
Goodier, $400; James W. Scobee, $500; Mrs. M. A. Buchanan,
$100; W. G. Roy, $20; the Powers Bros., $10 and some other
trifling losses that cannot now be estimated. There was an
insurance on the building owned by Dr. Goodier, and known as
the “Bonsall Corner,” of $400, in the Home of New York.
If the company pays up promptly the Doctor’s loss will be
small. On the other property there was no insurance and the
loss will fall heavily upon the owners.
As
to the
ORIGIN
of
the fire, there is some difference of opinion, but
disinterested parties think it was caused by a defective
flue, while the owners think it the work of an incendiary.
From all we can gather on the subject we are inclined to the
first opinion. All parties saved their books and papers, and
we trust that it will not be long till we rise Phoenix like
from the bed of ashes, shining with more splendor than ever.
New houses will be erected in place of the old ones, and
what is now termed the “burnt district,” will burst
forth with renewed life.
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