At half past eleven o'clock, on Wed
nesday night, fire broke out in the
hardware store of Stevens Bros, and
could not be stayed until •it had con
sumed ten business houses and a
dwelling. The lire originated as near
as can be ascertained near the south
wall and about the middle of the
building and by the time it was dis
covered had made such headway that
nothing could be done to save the
remainder of the block. I*. T.
Steven’s bank, Fosbinder’s shoe store,
O. Thomas’ market and grocery, Gib
son & DeLong’s market and grocery
and the Monitor office completed the
row. While this was in progress the
destructive llames leaped across the
road and, as if it had been that much
hay, completely wiped out J. A.
Thomas’ drug store, J. Eastman’s
harness shop, J. E. Doran’s building
containing his residence, Dr. Van
Dusen’s olllce, M. Howard’s barber
shop; Jas. Bunt, residence and millin
ery store; John Stephen’s restaurant
and dwelling, Mrs. Grace Steven’s
residence.
The losses aggregate between $75,-
000 and SBO,OOO. The insurance was
light, several parties carrying none
whatever. The cause is now thought
to have been spotaneous combustion,
as there was a quantity of old rags in
that part of the building.
Most of the parties expect to rebuild
at once and although it is the second
sad blow in eight weeks, there is a de
termination to erect better buildings
and also to provide some means of
protection from another visitation.
Fish or Stone.
1 odgevlllo Chronicle.
