TERRIFIC FIRE!
The Finest Block of Elyria in Ashes.
Twenty Two Different Business Departments and Eleven Offices, besides one of the Finest Public Libraries in the State, Destroyed.
Loss Approximating $250,000
Two Hundred Men and Women thrown out of employment
The Alarm
A little before midnight on last Saturday the rapid clangor of the
fire bell called the citizens of our town from their peaceful slumber to
witness a conflagration, equally destructive to our place as was the late
fire of Boston to that city.
Origin of the Fire
Concerning the origins of the fire there is nothing positively
known. There are many different theories and opinions. Some claim it to
have been the work of an incendiary, while others attribute it to a defective
flue, &c., &c. It was first discovered in the northwest corner
of Elys block, on the second floor, in a room occupied by Starr Bros.&
Cos. tin shop. The wind, blowing a severe gale from the north west, carried
the flames so rapidly forward that it was with difficulty that the clerks
sleeping in the upper rooms of Starr Bros. Dry goods department made their
escape through the windows. By the time the firemen had their engine in
position to spout water, the heat had become so great that it was impossible
to get near enough to reach the flames. There being large openings in the
walls between the rooms, the fire was transmitted to all parts of Starrs
business establishment with such rapidity that not a pennys worth could
be saved from the destructive element. Mrs. Olmsteds millinery stock being
in a room likewise opening into the Starr Bros. department, suffered a
similar fate. All this time the firemen were working with unabated energy
to stay the progress of the flames; but the furious gusts of wind began
to blow down the crumbling walls, which forced them still further into
the background, and made the operation of a hand engine to quench such
a monstrous fire seem a mere childs play. It was but a few moments until
the fire forced its way into A.H. Pomeroys dry goods establishment. Through
this part of the block extended a fire-proof wall twenty inches thick,
and for a time it seemed that the farther progress of the flames would
be stayed.
At this time the firemen made a desperate effort to get near enough to reach this wall with water, but the intense heat drove them back after a number of unsuccessful attempts. There was a momentary lull in the wind, and for a time hopes were entertained that the east part of the block would be saved, but it was only momentary, for suddenly a furious gust arising drove the fire forward along the wooden cornice above and the awning below, and in less than half an hour the eastern part of the block was one huge mass of flame. From this the fire was carried to the Mungaven House, which being a wooden structure and greatly exposed to the wind, burned down with inconceivable rapidity, the blaze next reaching the wood-shed near the passenger depot of the L.S. & M.S. Railroad. The further progress of the fire was prevented by keeping the walls and roofs of neighboring buildings well saturated with water.
Aid From Cleveland
Finding that our hand-engines were inadequate to check the flames from
devouring the whole block and probably the entire east end of the street,
including the depot buildings, J.H. Faxon, Esq., at the suggestion of some
of our citizens, telegraphed Cleveland for aid. It was found necessary
to run an engine to Ridgeville for this purpose, as the telegraph wires
at the depot were very foolishly cut before any immediate danger threatened
the building. This delay was a serious one. As soon as the dispatch was
received in Cleveland, the chief engineer of the fire department called
for volunteers, when ten men promptly answered the call and were shipped
by special train with steamer No. 4 (the Palmer) under the direction
of Assistant Engineer Mc Mahon, they arrived here about three oclock,
at the announcement of which a sigh of relief went up from the hearts of
our citizens, and our Cleveland friends were welcomed by hearty cheers
on all hands. Arriving too late to save any particle of the Ely Block or
Mungaven House, they set to work to look after the Odd Fellows Block and
the depot buildings. A difficulity arose from lack of water, all the cisterns
but one, having been pumped dry. Hose were stretched from the cistern on
the corner of Middle Avenue and Second Street, but fifteen minutes had
not elapsed before it was emptied. A large water-cart was then placed north
of the depot, and by replenishing it from the railroad water tank, kept
full by their pump, a sufficient quantity of water was obtained. By these
measures the buildings east and north of Ely Block were saved.
The Crowd
The continuous ringing of the fire bell called together a large crowd
of people. Some nerved up by exitement, engaged with almost superhuman
strength, in carrying great loads of goods from the burning building, others,
overcome by excitement, ran about fretting and giving everybody instruction
what to do, but failed to do anything themselves. Some gazed on in philosophic
quietness, with their hands in their pockets, failing, even, to keep out
of the way of those who would work, others, having an opportunity to smuggle
a few swigs of liquor, ran about with muddled brains speculating on the
future of Elyria. Some women with wrinkled brows and grey hairs, stood
around wringing their hands in great distress, while others, of less faded
appearance, complimented their lovers on their bravery and energy in fighting
the fire fiend.
The Goods Saved
The proprietors of the business rooms in the eastern part of the block
made an early and determined effort to save their goods, and a large amount
was caried out on Broad Street, Middle Avenue, and the town park. These
places contained all manner of goods; boots and shoes, flour and groceries,
drugs and medicines, clothing, counters, safes, books, furniture, &c.,
&c. This afforded a favorable opportunity for stealing, and we are
sorry to say that there are those amongst us who are so devoid of humanity
as to take advantage of a fellow man thus in sore distress; for we are
credibly informed that a large amount of goods were stolen. Mr. Mungaven,
especially, lost a large amount of his stock in that way. As is usual under
such circumstances, a large amount of goods were wasted and destroyed
by removal. For a time, Cheap Side, corner of Broad Street and Middle Avenue,
was threatened, which made it necessary to move a large portion of the
goods a second time, which was attended with considerable loss and damage.
The Losses
It is impossible to give anything like a correct idea of the losses
sustained directly or indirectly. We have worked hard to this end, but
have found it utterly impossible to come to a definate conclusion. We give
below a list as nearly correct as we were able to secure it:
Losses Insurance
Heman Ely buildings
. $80,000
$25,000
Heman Ely, office furniture and safe
$2,000
none
Starr Bros., groceries, etc
... $70,000
$30,000
Mrs. Olmsted, millinery
$6,000
none
King Solomons Lodge, F. & A.M
.$2,000
$1,250
John Mountain, merchant tailor
$800
none
A.H. Pomeroy, dry goods
.$10,000
$5,000
T.H.Linnell & Co., clothing
$5,500
$2,500
J. Manville & Co., druggists
..$6,000
$2,500
F.B. Sanford, boots and shoes
... $3,500
$2,500
Sampsel, Clark & Co., wholesale confectioners
. $20,000
$10,000
Hoyle Bros., Grocers
..$4,000
$2,000
H. Bruan, produce dealer
$675
none
C. Downing, Justice of Peace
. $250
J. Myers, law office
$1,700
$1,700
S.W. Burrell & Son, dentists
.$800
none
N.L. Johnson, law office
$400
none
C.H. Doolittle, law office
..
$100
none
H.H. Poppleton, law office
..$1,000
none
Topliff & Ely, office furniture and safe
.$550
none
Albert Ely, same
...$1,000
none
Geo. P. Metcalf, attorney
$100
none
Stewart & White, dentists
...$500
none
W.W. Boynton, office furniture
. $700
none
Geo. Olmsted, J.P.
...$100
none
Geo. E. Bronson, picture frames
.. $50
none
Elyria Library
. $18,000 $10,000
Elyria Lodge Good Fellows
.$500
$300
J.C. Potter, photographer
. $2,100
$1,000
L.B. Smith, office fixtures
$75
none
John Finn, manufacturer of jewelry
. $400
none
J.M. Stich, artist
.$100
none
Jay Terrell, insurance agent
$600
none
J.J. Mungaven
.$10,000
$3,200
J.V. Coon, sewing machine manufactury
.. $500
none
W. Kewly, tailor
. $2,100
none
H.M. Redington, private library
. $1,700
none
Odd Fellows
.. $50
$50
Lord & Cunningham, tobacconists
$3,000
$3,000
Spencer O. Emmons, billiards
..$200
none
T. Tunnington, tailor
.$100
$100
Mrs. Julia Poppleton, furniture
$1,000
none
In addition to the above there are a large number of private losses of clerks and others who were doing business of occupying sleeping apartmentsm in the building. The Starr Bros. are the heaviest losers. Mrs. Olmsteds insurance had run out a few days before, and as she was about removing her stock of goods to new quarters she had neglected renewing it, thinking it unnecessary to do so until properly settled. A.H. Pomeroy also had an insurance policy on his stock which run out only the day before (Friday) otherwise he would have sustained little, if any, loss. The total loss, deducting salvage, will amount to about $230,000.
Insurance Companies
The insurance companies in which the above were insured, and their
losses, are as follows:
Phoenix
.. $7,120
Underwriters Agency
$2,750
Westchester
$1,000
North British and Merchantile
$5,000
North American
. $7,800
Sun
. $5,000
Aetna
.$31,500
Home
$10,500
Royal
.. $5,700
Continental
$10,000
Old Hartford
.. $750
National
.. $1,000
The Scene in General
At times, when a severe gust of wind would start the apparently lingering
flames into renewed impetus, the conflagration would present a scene of
such terrible grandeur as is seldom witnessed. This was especially the
case when the flames reached the library. The burning books threw off massive
flakes of fire that floated off in the atmosphere in magnificent grandeur
falling harmless on the roofs of buildings yet wet by a kindly shower that
had fallen in the early part of the evening.
The hurrying to and fro of the excited crowd, the crash of falling
timbers, the heavy thud of tumbling walls, mingled with the shrieks of
locomotive whistles, and the hoarse notes of the firemens trumpet, together
with the crackling and roaring of the fire, created an impression of horror
that will not soon be forgotten by those who were spectators of the scene.
The Future
Our merchants did not allow themselves to become despondant over their
losses, but like true philosophers, immediately set to work to put up tempory
buildings on Ely Park, a privilege wisely granted by our council, and at
the present writing there are already a number of these buildings enclosed,
and in less than ten days the great business center of Elyria will be found
to occupy the Town Park, so that the patrons to the Elyria trade can expect
with certainty that all the burnt business departments will shortly be
in readiness with new goods to open the spring trade. As for the block
burnt down, Mr. Ely has already taken the necessary steps to rebuild it.
The front, we are informed, is to be of Milwaukee brick. The basement and
first floor are to be ready for occupancy by the first of October. Mr.
Ely has both the means and energy to drive business, and ere six months
will draw to a close, we will see a finer block than the former occupying
the place of the present gaping ruins. It is true that the losses are severe,
but the losers are all men of pluck and good business capabilities, so
that we can reasonably expect Elyria will suffer no permanent injury and
scarcely a temporary delay in her progress.
The Lessons the Fire Has Taught
There is no doubt but that the fire could have been brought under control,
when it reached the fire-proof wall between Pomeroys and the Library if
the fire department would have had a steam engine at their disposal.
2. That our water conveniences are inadequate, and that there should be steps taken at an early day to secure ample supplies.
3. That there should be a special police force appointed, who should report for duty at the call of the fire bell and assist the fire department, preserve order, guard goods, etc., etc. Such a force could have done an immense amount of good in guarding and saving goods on last Sunday morning.
The Safes
Starr Brothers safe was dragged out of the ruins on Sunday evening
and allowed to cool until Monday, when it was opened and everything in
it found in a good state of preservation, which was a source of gratification
to the firm and a number of private depositors. Mr. Heman Elys safe was
also opened on Monday and the books, papers and coin contained therein
found unharmed. The others being mostly of a smaller dimension were dragged
out before the fire.
Cheering!
At the present writing Mr. Ely has about fifty men at work clearing
away the debris.
Visitors
A large number of visitors from all parts of the country around have
been in to visit our place since the fire. Prominent among these was a
bevy of students from Oberlin, some of whom so far forgot their manhood
as to become beastly intoxicated and were obliged to take on lodging in
jail for the night. We give particulars elsewhere.
A Generous Offer
At the meeting of the Odd Fellows at their rooms on Tuesday evening,
the following resolution was adopted:
Elyria Lodge No. 103, I.O.O.F.
March 18,1873
To the Master, Officers and Members of King Solomons Lodge of the
order of Masons, Elyria, Ohio
Whereas, Elyria has come in for her full share of calamities in the
destruction by fire of her best business block in town, and knowing that
your hall, regalia, furniture, etc., were all destroyed by said fire, therefore,
Resolved, Tht we tender you the use of our hall to meet and transact
business until such time as you may be able to get other quarters.
O. Bowen, Permt Sec.
Action of Council
At the council meeting held at the mayors office on Monday evening,
the following preamble and resolutions were introduced:
Whereas, In view of the recent calamitous and destructive conflagration, which occurred on Sunday morning, the 16th instant, destroying the Ely Block, a large portion of the business of our village, depriving many of our most enterprising and energetic men of places and facilities to transact their legitimate business, therefore:
Resolved, By the Town Council of the Incorporated Village of Elyria, that section 2, of an ordinance passed January 5, 1872, restricting the use of Ely Park for certain purposes, be suspended for the term of one year, and further,
Resolved, That any person who was doing business in the Ely Block, or who has been deprived of their place of business in consequence of said fire be permitted to occupy Ely Park, for the purpose of erecting or moving upon said park tempory structures demanded by the present emergency, under the direction of the Mayor.
The foregoing preamble and resolutions were put upon their passage by
yeas and nays, and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Hill, Jones, Phipps,
Nichols and Spitzenberg; nays, none.