A BRACE OF FIRES IN CORTLAND

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 4, 1887.

A Brace of Fires.

The Hitchcock Manufacturing Company’s Machine Shops Damaged by

Fire—Col. Frank Place's Residence Burned.

   At 7:30 o'clock last Sunday morning smoke was seen issuing from the engine room of the Hitchcock Manufacturing Company's foundry and machine shop on Port Watson street by William Wilson, who ran into the foundry where he found the fire located in the boiler room. Failing in his attempt to extinguish the blaze he ran to the Squires block and aroused Engineer Knickerbocker at the same time giving an alarm.

   The Fire Department quickly responded and very soon had hose attached to the water hydrants corner Main and Port Watson and Tompkins streets. The steamer shortly put in an appearance and had a stream on the flames. The fire had spread from the boiler room to the machine shop and was rapidly working toward the office in the front part of the building. The boys now had five streams on the building and the amount of water thrown was immense.

   The flames reached the water rooms in the front part of the building and were draft up through the elevator to the press rooms of the Monitor office [Temperance Party newspaper—CC editor] in the second story. Every thing about the presses not made of iron was burned up and the damage must be considerable, although it is as yet impossible to tell the amount. At about 11 o’clock the last spark was extinguished and the firemen retired.

   The furniture and valuable books and papers in the office of the Hitchcock Company were removed to a place of safety. The roof of the engine house was burned and the woodwork in the machine shops badly injured. The ceilings of the main building and the elevator were badly burned and injured.

   The company estimates the damage to the building at $2,500; on machinery and stock $5,500. The loss on merchandise has been adjusted to $1,500. The Monitor people had an insurance of $1,500, which it is believed will fully cover the loss. The insurance is as follows:

   Maybury & Maycumber, on foundry, machine shops and ceilings, $3,200.

   H. J. Messenger & son, main building and contents, $3,000

   I. A. Nixon, stock in main building, $2,000.

   T. Stevenson, buildings and contents, $5,598.

   The cause of the fire is unknown. Mr. Wilson made the rounds of the buildings about 9:30 the night previous and reports that everything was in good order and that there was no fire in the boiler. Knickerbocker says that when he first saw the fire, it was located in the ceiling over the coal bin. The adjusters are at work as we go to press.

COL. PLACE'S HOUSE BURNED.

   At 1 o’clock the same day the fire bell again startled our citizens. This time the fire was said to be located in the residence of Col. Frank Place, corner of Pomeroy and Port Watson streets. Port Watson street was badly drifted and it was hard work for the boys to pull the steamer through the drifts, but they arrived on the scene in a very few moments after the alarm was given.

   Hose was attached to the hydrant near the S. & B. crossing about 1000 feet from the fire, and the steamer was located at the creek near the house and soon had a powerful stream on the burning building. The fire had made such rapid progress that the building could not be saved, but the boys prevented other buildings in the immediate vicinity from taking fire by deluging the building with water. It still stands on its foundations, but is worthless.

   Nearly everything on the first floor was saved, but very little was taken from the second story where the fire originated. [The fire was] supposed to have taken from a wood stove in a room on the south side of the building, occupied by the Colonel’s daughter Miss [Helen] and Miss Lena Edwards, who boarded with the family. Miss Edwards lost nearly all her clothing and keepsakes. Mr. and Mrs. Place were at Sunday school and did not know of their loss until the house was ruined.

   The fire was first discovered by Mr. Jay Peck, the nearest neighbor who lost no time in entering the kitchen when he found Miss Edwards, totally unaware of the impending danger. Neighbors gave the alarm and assisted in removing the goods. The house was insured with Messrs. Maybury & Maycumber for $2,200 and the contents for $900.

   Had it not been for the water works it would have been impossible to have saved the Hitchcock Manufacturing Company's buildings besides others in the vicinity. If we had not had a steamer, it’s more than likely that other buildings besides Col. Place’s house would have been on fire.

   Every member of the Fire Department is entitled to great credit for faithful, hard work at both fires. Chief Engineer Dowd, made an excellent record.

Great Loss by Fire [Advertisement].

   The Hitchcock Manufacturing Company will sell for the next 30 days all of the goods damaged by their recent fire at one-half their value, such as wagons, cutters, harnesses, blankets and farm implements.

Change of Firm.

   Mr. Geo. W. Lansing, an long and favor ably known as proprietor of the Central Meat Market on Court street, has purchased the market of Messrs. Stearns & Hilsinger at No. 70 1/2 N. Main street, and has taken possession. Mr. Lansing is building on an addition in the rear which will give him more room, which he needs in order to accommodate the large stock of choice meat's with which he is filling the market. He is also putting in a cooler, besides many other conveniences which will enable him to have everything in the very best of order for business. Mr. Lansing has always kept a No. 1 market and he proposes to have things about his new place of business in better shape than ever before. All of his old customers will be pleased to know that he has again gone into business and such new ones as give him a call will be pleased with the treatment received.

For Sale.

   Twenty house, cottages, single or double. On time, if desired, with enough down to secure the sale. Houses are provided with modern conveniences, extra deep wells and double ordinary sized cisterns. Special attention to thorough drainage. Cupboards or closets abundant.

   [50] desirable village lots on Elm, Pomeroy, Franklin, Garfield, or E. Railroad streets; well drained and fertile soil for gardens. Lots sold on time; 25 per cent down or money advanced to improve the lot when sold; 50 per cent in building materials if desired.

   Several choice lots on Prospect Hill on Stevenson place. Sightly, salubrious, and well drained. Located on a new street running north from Prospect street, opposite the residence of James A. Calvert, Esq., and parallel with Graham ave., only nearer Main street. When six lots are sold a water main will be put in, connecting with the village water works and making a most convenient water supply.

   Also a number of first mortgages for sale. One each of $300, $1,000, $1,500, $1,700, $2,000, $2,500, $3,000 and $6,000. Have sold some ten mortgages for other parties recently. All correspondence held strictly confidential. For full information call on or address:

THEO STEVENSON, Masonic Block. Cortland, N. Y.

Patrick Gilmore Band 1884.

Patrick S. Gilmore

HERE AND THERE.

   Be sure and hear Gilmore’s Band.

   An elegant free lunch is set up at the Cortland House every day.

   The Wire Fabric Company, of Homer, will increase its capital stock to $50,000.

   About 90 couples attended the Knights of Labor dance at Keator Opera House, in Homer, last week.

   A portion of the cornice of the Graham block on North Main St. was torn off by the high winds, last Saturday night.

   The saloon run by Frank White, corner of Railroad [Central Avenue] and Main streets, was closed on Tuesday last, and his license revoked.

   The tin roof on Herbert Ware’s house, corner of Cleveland and Pomeroy streets, was nearly torn off by the high winds of Saturday night.

   During the high winds of Saturday, Garity’s [omni] bus was blown over. It contained three passengers, and, fortunately, none of them were hurt.

   Gilmore's world-renowned band will give two entertainments in Mammoth rink [The rink was located on the east side of South Main Street, south of the Messenger House--CC editor], Cortland, on Thursday, March 24th, 1887, for the benefit of Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co.

   During and after the fire at the Hitchcock Manufacturing Co's foundry last Sunday, the Messenger House and A. G. Newton furnished hot coffee to the firemen and all who applied.

Patrick S. Gilmore: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_S._Gilmore