HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1976-09-09, Page 5•••
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THE HURON EXPOSITOR:
SEPTEMBER 8, 1876.
non exproitov.
]DISTRICT MATTERS.
RICXSON & Co., having
sold out their drug and Jewelry bustness, particu-
Mrs of which ;aro in another advertisement else-
where, end all the China, Crockery, Glaeswaro,
&O., RaViEla been loft on our hands, it mot:Li inten-
tion in the next few wteeks to divide them oat
.• among our eustorners at a Became in order to
cleat oat, and Wring a very large stook both in
Collar, store and upstairs will promise bargains
ouch ar never soon before. Our miscounts know
that we have given them Goods cheap for a good
many years, but thle last chance will crown ail
for dead bargains. So come quick and take away
the goods, as we have several thousand dollars
worth to dispose of We very short time, and they
must be sold or partly given away. 455
THE Rio. FIRE. -W3T, ROBERT:W:7 &
Co. wiala to inform their many friends and cus-
tomers that the promisee at present °coupled by
thorn are not burned, as reported, the building
formerly occupied by them having been consam-
orl. They aro prepared as formerly to sell all, de.
scription :of Hardware at ..449 ke.:west possible
pric9e. Renioniher the Flee° : Sifin of the Cir-
cular Saw457
ALLEN'S GROCERY is the place, come
with a smiling face and‘the money in yom pocket,
and be convinced that ho gives the best value in
Sugars, Teas, Rico, Raisins, Smoke . Hams, Ba•
con, Crockery and Glassware, Te5 Sots, Fruit
Jars, ac. 452
CLIA ftLES Mocme begs to announce that
he has fitted aphis sky.light and operating room
and is now prepared to furnish a bettor class of
wok than he has heretofore. Copying and en-
larging done as usual. 456
SP I N ING WHEELS. -A Large Stock of
, Spinning Wheels, Reels, Baby Carriages, and the
Cheapest Furniture in the ,Cptutty, at PORTER'S—
. Hatt. Robertson's did stand, Mau Street, Bar
forth. 448
DVE STUFFS, DYE STL'ilder
•
lgagentad„ol3womitCoobineal, Indigo, fee., all ot
the fitMst Prlidifeliig-rioli-e0MrsTat-B,-
Lumsdeu'e Corner Dru's Store. 455
SEED 1VIIEAT.-Parties desirous of
awing the Seneca ral1Wheat can see sample and
get their orders filled at J. Fat ItLE Seaforth.
THE BEST VALVE in Sugars are to be
1001 01 the Cheap Cash Grocery. JuliN Fain -
000 47,4 •
TEA. -.Ten pounds of good tea selling.
at J. Fara. Cheap dash Grocery for e2 50.
AT IrrAcale.-.Mr. A. Calder, photo-
grapher, requests us to state tliat he is
haying new rooms fitted up, and be ex-
pects to be prepared to Accommodate his
friends and cuatomers with phetographe,
as of yore, in a week or two.
QbicF. Wonit,-Accorcling to an esti-
mate made by a man of figures, and
which we believe to be correct, property
was destroyed on the morning of the fire
at the rate of $10 a second, or MO a
minute. It is much easier to waate than
to accumulate.
FUNERAL SERMON. -The 1 uneral ser-
mon of the late Miss Stoddard and her
eister Mra. McKenzie, both datighters of
Mr. Julia Stodderd, . of . Egmondvillee
will be preichele 'by Rev. Mr. Goldsmith
in- the Presbyterian ciaurch OR Sunday
evening 'next at the usual hour. -
Pose eaNen,--The concert and other
amus,ementa, in behalf of the Fire Brig-
ade, which we announced last week, has
been postponed until a future occasion.
it Will not be possible to have the other
amuseuaenta spokeu of this .season, but
the concert will likely be given during
the fall. When the date is fixed due no-
• tice will be given.
0OUNCIL MEETING. -At it meeting of
the Town 'Council, held on Tuesday
night, it was moved by Mr. Gfassie, ace -
ended by Mr. Williaius, and carriedeun-
aiumously, that this Council tender its
hearty thanks to the Seaforth Fire ,Bri„
TH9E SEAFORTH ARE
A TERRIBLE CONFLAGRATION.
FORTY HOUSES ARO BUM-
' NESS PLACES BURNED.
-.. •
Over One Itundred l'hournad Dol-
lars Worth of Property Destroyed.
Over Thirty Families Rendered
Homeless.
•
The Trial and Comlnittal .of the Sup-
posed Incendlaxy.
•
About 2 o'clock on Monday morning
lag, the citizens of Seaforth were arous-
ed from their slumbers by the dreaded
alarm of fire, and. in a few minutes hun-
dreds of people, men, women and chils
dren in all manner of attire, were rush-
ing to the scene ofethe fire. When fret
diecevered, the fire was issuing from the
rear portion of a small ,frame building
in the centre of the wooden block on the
east side of Main street and north of St.
John street. This building was occu-
pied as a small grocery or candy shop by
a woman -named Mrs. Griffith. Before
anything could be done to stay the pro.
geese ef th6 flames, the fine had attained
good headway, and had spread to and
enveloped the buildings on either side of
the one in which it, land originated. In
O effort space of time hundreds of. people
-vvere.on theestreet, angst eteeelfiese_ eegeeee
and hook and ladder apparatus- were -
brought into requisition. The fire en.
gine was etationed at the tank at the
corner of Main and Goderich streets, and
commenced playing on the burning
buildings on the east gide of Main street,
These buildings were, however, of such
inflammable material -that the water had
but little area on ,the flamed., and the
fire spread rapidly both north and south.
For a time it was hoped that the large
frame store ot Mr. William Campbell, to
the north of where the tire started, and
on the south east corner of Main and.
Goderich streets, could be saved, but
tem hope could not be long cherished,
for a smart wind from the south west
sprung up, and while it temporarily
,cheeled the progress of the flames south-
ward, it increased their fury and drove
them -still more rapidly toward s the
north-east, and in a very short time Mr.
Campbell's store watt enveloped. The
firemen then directed their attention to
the hotel of Messrs.. Stephens & Mc-
Kinney, and the stables a Mr. T. A.
Sharpe in the rear, and commenced pour-
ing water on them. in the hope of stop-
ping the north eeasterlyipprogrese of the
flames, bee all in vain, a sharp current
of wind carried a spark from the rear of
Campbell's store into the hay loft over
Share's livery stable, igniting the hay.
The flee ran through the hay like' light.
ning, and almost in a moment the whole
building was enveloped. So .speedily
did the fire spread through these build -
rugs an the rear of the hotel, and so
teuee did the beat become between the
eburning rows on either side of Groderich
etreet, that it was with great -difficulty
and danger that the hose of the engine
could be withdrawn. At thie juncture
the.whole of the row of wooden build.
inga on the east side of • Main etreet and
north of -St.,John street, including Mr.
Gra.ssie's wagon shop and Stephen's. ho-
tel, were it mass of flames, and just as
gade for their faithful and energetic, ef- the firemen were conveying, the hose to ,
.- • ' • t'
forte in endeavoring to extinguish the .play on the wooden ,buildings On the ...
c' • 1 ye .e.._.. ..... .. ..... _..- ..... e 0
terribly destructive fire which destroyed west side of Main street the water in
a large portion of the besmess pert of the' tank gave out, and the engine had I se ... I 4`
es ; I • ; I
Seaforth on Monday morneegelast. . to be reniceesel to the tank `on the corner -I: , • • I 0 e. I
at the Presbyterian ohurch. Before the ! '1 "
i
IrIA,GISTRATES' ,COURT. -On .complaint engine could be got iu play at this tank,
e, i
of the Maycir, two young men named • the intense heat from the east side of i„ • . •oe I
John Dunham and George Holland, were Main street, aided byea sort of circular .. ,1 M .
,-. Y
tried -before Justices John Beattie; D. D. current of air, igniteclethe wooden build- 1 • ,. . )
r 1 • es - I Se •
Wilson and George Sproat, on Monday . ingreon the west side. The' shop occu- I , )
i • I 0
afternowelast,'the former. for assaulting pied by Mr. Coventry was the hrst to I . . .-. .
ee. 1
and bectting a constable while in the die. catch on thie side, and the fire ran I
: 1 1 ;
!
ing of the tire. Dunham pleaded guilty, ' got to play on the building's between Mr.' 1 1.. • _ ••• ......... ___ ..... ____ •
! -1 1
and. was sentenced to pay a, fine of $25 Coventry's shop and the Mansion Hotel, I I . i . ,
and costs, or id default to beemprisoned but the fire spread. so rapidly and the I i 1 1 P3
for 30 'clays in the -County jail. Not hav- heat became so fearfully intense, that the 1 I S' i St
, ' - 0
ing the money, he was sent to Goderich hose men were fofced. to withdraw. On
oa Tuesday. ff olland denier' the chaxiej, this side also tfie fire spread almost with 1, , • . , ,., :
l'
was. an eve witness to his pprformances, was now burning iu six ,different dire°. 1 . • ...4 ! r.
proved the complaint well founded. He time at the same time. At lest the i ... - ........
was fined $1 and costs. The fine was Mausion Hotel building, the most costly 1 • i ' re , sa
paid and thceculprit liberated. and beautifueeditice in the town, was on .
. _
, fire, and the entire town seemed des- • ,. • /1
DELIVER T.Ir,-We are requested to tined to destruction. The residence of .1
••. e , ........ PI
'urge upon .any who Mayraill have in Mr. Grassie on George street was also I
inside of Mr. Lurasden's drug store were
blackened and charred with the heat,
while the front of Mr. Wilson'a store,
XO the 110THA of Lumsden', was badi,
singed. Had the,fire spread to either of
these buildings the entire northern part
of the town- would have burned, while if
it had croesed John street on the south,
the part of the town between the burned
district and the station would most are
suredly have been cleaned out; in tact,
had it not been for the brick building
erected tide Bummer by Mr. Megareee
the whole of tbe town, betweensthe Hu-
ron road and the railway track, would
to -day be one mass of ruins. It was this
buildingetogether with the almost super-
human efforts of the citizens, which ease
ed,this part of the town: The tire com-
menced, as nearly as can be ascertained,
about 2 o'clock, and before 5 it had done
its dreadful work. The sight which was
presented .when daylight 'dawned, was
one not soon to be forgotten. Two large
squares of buildings id ruins, and God-
• °i -ice and St. John streets for two equares
to the west, literally filled with furni-
ture, stoves, boxere crockery, god an un-
imaginable variety of articles, and hun-
dreds of begrimed and weary men and
women searching among this labyrinth
for what remained of their worldly pos-
sessions. When the buildings on the
east side of Main street teak fire, the
moveable articles in them • were mostly
-
taken out and placed on the opposite
aide of the street, in the hope that there
ttley would be safe, but as soon as the
fire extended to that side of the street,
the heat became so intense that they
could not be again removed, aced were
consumed.
__So .auten_as the fire had burned itself out
sufficiently to render all danger cif far=
ther spread apparent teams were got to
work, and the geode saved fronethe burn:*
ing buildinge were gathered up and seawe-
ed away in places of safety, and by 9
o'clook in the forenoon, the streets were
pretty well cleared. We are sorry to have
it to say that there are the beat reasons to•
believe that some miserable demons in hu-
man form, instead. of aiding to stay the
flames and save property; took advantage
of the excitement which prevailed, and
employed their time' in spiriting off such
articles as they could conveniently_carry.
It is believed that a good deal of property
has been lost in this way. , A severe ap-
plication of the " cat" to the bare
backs of those who could be guilty of, so
despicable a crivae as the.' Weald be a fit -
trig punishment. Next to the person
who applies the incendiary's torch is the
mean spirited wretch who would steal
the, property of hes neighbor which had
been rescued from a burning building.
Too much praise Minuet be given to
the oitzens generally for the noble man-
ner in which they worked, teeth la en-
deavoring to check the fire and in saving
•the property of the unfortunate, ani
d it s
not the men only who are entitled to
praise in this,respect as most valuable aid
,was rendered by the ladies. But while
our citizens generally did Meek duty nobly
in this respect, and did the utmost thet
lay in their power, there were a few who
stood by and looked on sad declined to
lend a helping hand lest they might over-
strsin their ,nerves or eoiltheir clothes.
Mee of tide atelier are only excelled in
;peewees/1 by the sneak who will purloin
and carry off his neighbor's geode while
his house is in flames; their own consci-
ence ranee give them as severe torture.for
their meanness as any Punishment the
law can inflict. The fire brigade also
rendered good service with the engine.
It is true that after the fire got fairly
etarted the engine had. not much effect
upon the flames, but there was not water
enough in Seaforth had there been one
hundred engines to apply it to atop the
tiro in the =dirt of tbe wooden buildings
where it originated. The engine was, in
the main, well maimged and did good ser-
vice, and had it not been for it the fire
would undoubtedly have been worse than
it was. During the fire • several received
severe acratcbee and wounds, hut none
were seriously injured. It was also pleas-
ing to notice the orderly manner in which
.all conducted themselves, both during
and after the fire. There were few at
any time -who were the tyoree of lever.
This is someteing new at fires, and cal.=
eidering the -very hard work which was
done and the length of time thefire lasted
it is meet creditable to the people of Sea -
forth, and more especially to, the young
„men, that it drunken man on the streets
at any timethoughout the morning or the
day was a rare exception. The reflection
af the ,fire was visible for several miles
around, and- large numbers of country
people came into town about 4 o'clrictic in
the morning. During Monday and Tues-
day large numbers of people from Clin-
ton, Goderieb, Mitchell, Carronbro.ok,
Bruesels, and other places came to town
to view the scene of the fire. The follow-
ing diagram will afford some idea of the
extent and positiou of the burned district:
PLAN 'OF THE BURNED DISTRICT. .
NOTE. -Figures represent tee builditage burned; thorterendengeeed but Saved are
represented by letters. All the buildings burned, with the exception of :the Man-
sion Hotel blook, were wooden buildings:
•••••••• •-•••• j• • ,
N
1
I I
1
, i *4 ' 1
.1 2 •• . • I I
1 i . I
1 II i ' ••--
I
I • 1 11 ! '0
I
H .••• IZ . .1
I
I DODIERICII .
. .
1
STREMT• -...•-• i , I. i
Total loss, $102,800; insurance, $36,400;
leaving a loss over insurance of $66,400.'
• elm Griffith, the owner and occupant
of the premises in which the tire engin-
ted, was placedmeder arrest on simpi-
cion of having fired Iser premises- on
the afternoon of Mouday alt was brought
before the Mayor and justices Wilson,
Beattie and Sproat, to answer the charge.
She pleaded not guilty, and the following
evidence waa taken e
Patrick Cooney testified r. I reside
Seaforth, and work as baker for Mr. bee-
garey ; know defendant by sight; was
at the fire about the first; to all appear-
ances the tire, wheal first saw it, seemed
to be in the rear of biro. Griffith's build-
ing, and was confined to one building ; 1
was making bread in Megarey's bake
shop, and Mrs. IvIegarey came to where
we were Working and told us Mrs. Grif-
fith's shop was on fire; this was about 2
o'clock when I got to the scene of the tire;
Mrs. Griffith came out to the side -walk
and commenced to cry; Could not say
that'llre. Griffith was not sober ; when
I got to her shop it was fa of smoke ;
the fire would probably have been burn-
ing 10 minutes ;- never lard Mrs..Grif-
fith making threats to burn her property;
I only saw twopartiesat the fire when I
got there; did not . hear Mrs. Griffith;
call fire; I feel quite satisfied that the
fire did not start on the adjoining prem-
ises occupied by Mr. Calder.
Patrick Megarey,--,- corroborated the
evidence of former witness, with the ad-.
,dition that he heard prieoner . ask
•if there was- Mo.-. person' who woad
help her ; never heard Mrs. 'Grif-
fith make threats to burn bee property;
prisoner was to all appearance in her
night -dress when I saw her, and had
some bed clothes and other articles on the
-street. ---
Andrew Calder, -Know defendant ; I
am one of the sufferers from the fire; 'first
saw the defendant an the street about
half -past 2; when I saw her she appear-
ed to be gathering something off the
street ; she wae not gieing the alarm of
tire; the fire was coming through the roof
of my house when I first saw it; my
house adjoined that of Mrs. Griffith; am
satisfied the fire originated in Mrs. Grif-
fith's house; have not had any conversa-
tion with Mrs. Griffith for some time;
have been told by EL person that I had
'better.move out of where I was living as,
elle had threatened to burn me in my bed;
to my knowledge I never gave her cause
to use such threats towards me, but have
always treated ber kindly. ,
Thomas Stephens, -Know defendant;
did not see her on the evening of the tire;
know nothing as to the origin of the fire;
had a conversation with defendant about
six months ago; had been inher shop,
and she told nae Mr. Calder had raised
eome eeporte about her whichtere not
and stock, and d -n him, she veouid burn
him up; she also stated to me that Cal-
der had circulated a report that witness
and another eerson were keepirig her in
town she said .she would make it hot
for Calder -she would burn him some
night; f, cautioned her against using mach
language and in reply she said she would
do it ; so far as I recollect this was all ;
/ I told Mr. Calder of the threat that. de-
fendant had used against hum; from her
meaner and conversation I believed at the
I tirne she was in earnest.
................
r i
28 • Wm. Whitney -sworn, - know de -
1 of f 'Want ; ea* her on Monday mornint at
true) and that She had insured er hoese
'
et'e
2
a'. I
....... •..............__i
1 e
80 2, 1 VI I the fire itliout 2 o'clock ; at that time er
1 T .
I et1 promisee were on tire; when I first saw
her she wets standitag on the sideewalk ae
„.
the door of her building; she Was making
g I
...... ..... ....
1 '
, 2
charge of his duty, and the latter for be- through the building as if it had beers• r
ing drunk and disorderly ou the morn- tinder. The engine was immediately 1
bite the evidence of the Mayor, w o the rapidity of lightning both ways, and ;
at:J*011N Street. 74
their possession artield readued from the at tide time disCovered to be in ileums,
tire which belong to any of the sufferers, the fire from the burning mass behind it
to report such articles as they May have pouring ou to it in, such 'torrents ;that it
to the policeman or at the Mayor's of- • was impressible to do more than save a
fice, when the neceesary steps will be pot -tion of its contents. Main and God -
taken to secure the owners. T,We are °rich streets, between the burning rows,
many articles ef Value which gee knowe Were like heated 1 urnaces: The entire front
to have been Saved from the burninA, row of buildings on the weat side of
built:liege, end which the owners are as Main street, from St. ifohn to Goderich
yet unable to find. Parties baying such street, and the whole block pn the east
articles would, therefore, relieve those side of Goderich street, b tween Main
who have already suffered much, from a ancl George streets, from ieeegarey's now
deal of anxiety by reportieg as above di- brick store to Goderich street, and ehe
meted. Mrs. Carmichael bad three seta row of buildings along Goderich street
of valuable fins besicles.many other adj.. east of Main street, were at this time
cies rescued from the fire', and which • burning with the most terrible fury. A
leave since been picked up by some un- onasaof flames, covering an area of near -
.known person, and she cannot get any .ly five acres, is an appallitig sight. The
trate Of , theme` Mr. Stephens, Mrs. efforts of all were now directed towards
Whitney and many others are similarly preventing the fire extending northwards
situated. This notice should be suffi- and crossing Goderichetreet on the west
cient to bring to light any articles which side of Main street to the stores of Mr.
have been thus taken. Lumsden and Mr. D. D. Wilson, and
east and north to the residenees of Mr.
BUILDING lir THE Butsun rinerni.*r. L. Murphy and Mr: James Waste and
e --It is ploasttsg to be able to note that southward, on the east side of Main
street, peat the new brick building of
Mr. Megarey, and on the , west side of
Maim street aorosa St John street to the
istore of Grey, Young & Sperling and
THE EXPOSITOR Office, innnediately in
the rear. At these several points a most
dreadful etrugelo with the flames ensued,
and at times it seemed almost certain
that`these who were so bravely fighting
the elemente, in the hope of saveig furth.
er destruction, would be baffled. The
struggle lasted for about three quartere
of an honr, during which time ell the
guarded buildings Were on fire several
time, but the Lire was each time ex.
tinguitilaed, end by &tern:tined efforts
mut the valuable aid of wet blankets and
aplentiful supply o silt, the buildings
were saved and the futther progress of
the fire Was stayed. The Windew
cia-
ins in Megarey's neve balding were all
burned, and the frame ,bahling on the
Beath side of it wars in it blaze several
trmeie the Verandah in front of Grey,
Young & Sparlicifee done lead emighe fire
and Was tern down, While 611 the frame
buildings in teem the littgeaparke of fire
for a time fellen showeta. On the Mirth
fide .of the fire the danger Was Mean More
fkMinent. The Woecleti blinds on the
meet of thee° property owners in the
burned district whose buildings were 'de-
stroyed intend rebuilding. Owing to the,
lateneas of the seasom however, it is
probeble that only a few of them will be
able to commence this fall. Mr. Car-
enichael, mite his eharacteristicpluck ,
and. enterpriee has deterndhed to rebuilcl
on his property; the property of Mr.
t Duncan on the corner of St Johtt street
will also be built oe ; Messrs, Stephens
& McKinney intend rebuilding this fele
if possible; Mr. Campbell has already
purchased' a portion of the materials fof
rebuilding onhis property ; Mr, Ankara
• Mr. Mcfireeer telhl eaoh rebuild in the
spring '• Mews. Robertson & Co. intend
rebleadingas soon as material cum be got,
and i
it s more than probable that
Masers, Murphy and Stark will rebeild.
AR, the new baildings will be of brick,
Mr. Grassi° will els° rebuild at once.
This will nearly fill pp the buillea dile
trioe.. We have over confidenee, there.
fere, that wkat is DOW a deSOltita waste
, ea -before Heother rex be ebvered With
handsome Mid eubetantial brit* eclificee
so terat After all tbe fire, instead of r� -
Milting disturtrously to the toWne will re.,
eat ,benefidialler.
• ,
, to .
no attempt whatever to alarm tbe neigh-
bors ; 1 aamosted her and said, '" this is
your place on fire," and she then said,
" My God, is there no one to help me et
I looked into the door of defendant's
store and saw a pfbe of clothes' within
the door which too cl like toLed and bed-
ding; the tire was not up to the bedween
saw it; / did not notice that she had
any artiolessearried out; the fire seemed
to.be in the baekpart of defendant's build-
ing when I fleet saw it ; 1 am positive
she was not giving any alarm of fire, and
did not de so until I approached her; I
was positive in my own mind that defend-
ant had set fire to, the premises, and)said
to her When she spoke to me that it was
a pity she was not in the fire the corn -
mon report has been that the defendant
kept a house of ill -repute ; I had no per-
sonal know:edge regarding the character
of the leouse, except that myself _and
other members of our family have
seen parties going and consing from the
house at unseasonable hours.
- The case at this juncture was adjourn-
ed. until Tuesday evening.
TUESDAY NIGHT.
The firet witness examined was
W. N, Watson -Knows eothing of
1 ; the origin of the fire ; am agent for the
I Statacona Ineurance Company; have
I
' I , , acted for this company since February'
. •
EXPLANATION TO PLAN OF BURNED DISTRICT.
1- Mrs. Griffith's store, where the fire originated. 2-A. Calder's photograph
•
gallery and residence. 3 -James Murphyee dwelling house. 4 -James Murphy's
gmSe
-Coes store. 5-W. Roberts n -Coe .
s Vacant store. 6 -johns & Rowc 's
urniture warerooms. 7--S. Star 's shoe shop. 8 -Mrs. Grahanee millinery store.
9-W. Nen-man's barber shop. 10-Mre. Whitney's tin shopand residence. 11-
• Miss Leach's millinery store. Pee - Thomas Lee's grocery store. 13-G. Dent's
dry goods store. 14 -Hoffman Brae -there' dry goods store. I5 -T. Coventry's shoe
store, 16-Passmonee grocery store, 17-P. Megarey's bakery. 1S -Mansion
Hotel brick block. 19 -British ITotel. 20-W. N, Watson's offiee. 21 -British
Hotel etables. 22-T. A. Sharp's Livery, 23-T. A. Sharp's reeidence. 24-J.
Queleh's residence. 23-Vatant dwelling house.. 26-W. Sochel's residence. 27
-R. Young's residencl. 26 -Wm. Henderson's paint shop. 2e -Wm. Grassieet
blacksmith shop. 30 -Win. Grassie'a earring° Factory. 31 -Wm. Grassie's dwell -
Mg house. 32-W. Canipbell's clothing store. 33-1YliseWright's millinery stom.
'34-Seatter's block. 35-A G. Ault's grocery. 36-D. McGregor & Son's book-
bindery. A -P. Megarey's new brick buildin.ge which saved the rest of the east
side of Main street. B -Row of wooden buildings. ' 0 -Gray, -Young and Spar.
lieg's store. D-Couuter's• jewelry store. E-Powell's Hotel. F-EXPOSCTOt.
printing office. G-Mausion Hotel stables. 11-Lumsden's drug store. 1 -Wil'
son's egg store. ,
1
The following is a list of the aufferera
together with the lassie •and insurance
of each : Mrs. Whitney, stoves and tin-
ware, loss, $2,500, insurance, $I,900; J.
Duncan, owner of Mrs. leirhitiaey's bale.
itig, and two adjoining stores,lowee3,060,
insileance, 82,000; Mies Leitch, milliner,
loss, $500, no insurance e Thomas Lee,
grocer, loss, 81,000, fully insured; Geo.
Dent, dry goods, boss, --3,000, endurance,
$l,000; Hoffman Brothers, dry goods
and millinery, toes, $7,500, sinsuranee,
84,000; Thos. Coventry, boote and aloes,
loss, $Z500, insurance, $2,000; Mrs.
Pasamore, oonfe.ctionery and household
furniture, $600, to intsuranee ; P. Me.
Gareje baker, $2,100, insurance, $1,0(X4
J. MoMelkin, general goods, lose, $9,500,
insurance, 84,000 3a jainierion, boot!
and shoes, 300, no insurenoes 4ohn
Eclea liezness, $800, net ealterlit.
Cermichael, Manision Hotel, . adjoinieg
blisok of frame buildings, hotel and
sfuenittere, $27,700, tre ineuranee ; Wm.
Csumbell, building:and Stook of clothing,
$5,000, 'fully insured ; Mies Wright,fanoy
goods, $100, no insurance ; Mr. Gillespie,
s,
harness, 6300, no insurance, Alex, Ault,
store and groceries, $3,000, Ineurance,
6300 ; D. McGregor &Son, building, and
bootie and stationery, $2,000, insurance
81,000; Andrew Calder, building and
photorakhio 9teek.•4600, no insurance;
Mrs. Griffith, building and confectionery,
8450, ineuraisce, $600; James Murphy,
store, dwelling house, groceries and
household furniture, $4,800, inaurance,
$2,200; Johns 8c Roweliffe, furniture,
$4,000, iesurance, $2,700 ; Wm. Robert.
:son & Co., two stereo, 81,600, ineurance
8800; S. Stark, buildings, and boots and
eboes, $1,800; ineuratice, $1,000; Mrs,
Grieve, hotleehold furnitere, &e., $100,
ise ineureime ; Wifliitth Oreetsie, sholge•
dwelling house arid wagdemekers stook,
$5,000, insuranne, *8,200; Btophene &
MoKennys hotel beildinge and fernitute,
$8,000, indenter* $2,000 ; Thos. 8harp,
banteekelce furnittite, &O., $100; Thereat,
DOW/de, lumber feta, buildings, $2,200,
interline°, $800; Their. Stephen*, dwell-
ing 'hewer, 400, no insurance ;
&fibbing, of Leptis buildings tvoupted by
Wm. 11, Watson, $900, 111niraneee$600.
,
last; the compiuy sent me receipts of
all policies expiring on, the succeeding
month; I enquirea•C and examined into
the Several risks Which were t� be re -
1 nOttred, as shown by teeespeceipts sent
ole; a few days ago the-Rompany sent
me up a renewal receipt on w policy hall
!' by the defendant, Mrs. Griffith; the
I policy covered $600, and would expire
; about the middle of the present month ;
1 I wrote to the company to ascertain
whet property this policy covered;
I conld not judge whether a not this in'.
Buratto° was too high until I ascertained
weat property the policy. covered; a
policy for $600. would require to be 're.
presented by at least $1,000 worth of
property; I could not say wlaat would
be it fair value for the defendant's -.prop-
erty ;. the reason 1 wrote 'about detene.
tinter ineurance Was because I desired to
know' how much was on building and
how much on stook; I would coneider
8600 it very high insurance on the de-
feneent's property; 'an insurance receipt
was here produced, showing the insur-
ance centoextend antil the 21st Septeraber
ln
H. 1V1,cGregar, sworn : I have been
living in it building adjoining that occu-
pied by Mrs. Griffith; was wakened
abeut half -past 2 Monday morning by
my wife crying fire; eaw flames running,
in tech of my room windows; ran out to
baokyard with pail of water, but I saw
that defendant' buildings were too far'
•gone ler me to do anything,as the flames
were coming out from i
the nside of the
building, and almoat tee entire back patt
wart burning; I am positive the fire
originated in the defendant's building;
I did .not eee defeedant, nerrilid I hoar
bee giVe any alerm of fire ; have beefiern
Mes, Geiffith's store, and would not
Value hot atoek at more than from $50
t$10; the leuilding 1 would value at
Aimee 860; I Would conaider $600, an ex.
orbitaaly high ineurence on this prop-
erea ; have not noticed defendant temov-
intprepetty ftoni het premises, eer have
I heard bee Mike any threets to butt
her own or any other person's property.
have not heard much noise in defendaa's
house whine the past three weeks; had
defendant given the alarm of fire 1 think
I would have b,eard her.
!ehe case was adjourned until 6 O'clock
on Wednesday evening.
Ve ED:4E9,VA? EVENING.
The Court resumed at the usual hour,
and several vietnesses • were examined.
The evidence, however, wee only ocon-
tirmatory of that given previouely. It
showed that the deMndant had frequent-
lyand to different persona used threats
to burn her own premieee that oho might
revenge herself on her neighbors. It was
also further shown that the defendant
had long borne a disreputable character,
and that her house evaa a resort for aban-
doned characters. After considering the
evidence the court coacluded to commit
the accused for triej at the next compe-
tent court. ,She was accordingly couvey-
ed to Goderich jail on Thursday. '
'The excitement during the trial was
moat intense, Bad at each sitting of the
court the hall was crowded.
MRS. GRIFFITH'S STATEMENT.
Mrs. Griffith, the accused person, states.
that she did not heve a fire lighted in her
house since Sunday morning. That she
was from home during the day visiting
friends, and only returned about 9 o'clock
Sunday evening. She lit her lamp, and,
in accordance with her usual custom, left
it burning on a stand near the wall in the
kitchee, or most easterly e room of the
building. She then undressed herself
and retired to rest on a sofa in the cen-
tral room, which is between the kitchen
in the rear. and the shop in front. She
says that for several months she had been
in the habit of making liege -bed on the ,
sofa, in this room instead of in her bed.
room. After retiring she slept soundly
until -aWrilteriecl sinoke,--which .was
suffocating her. When she awoke the
room was tilled with smoke, and she im-
mediately sprang up and opened a door
leading to the kitchen where the left the
lamp, and was int as soon as she opened
the door with e volume of flame and
smoke. She then opened the door lead-
ing to an alleyway which, ran alongside
her building aud cried for help. She
then proceeded through her ahop and
opened, the street doorand again
cried for assistance and gave the alarm
of fire. Not seeing arty person on the
street, she ran back jute the room where
she had been sleeping, seized the clothes
she put off the night before, and carried
them to the -street, when she Again re-
tnreed to try .and .get,ather„ articles, and
the thing which came first to her hands
was -a basket coritaiffing some clothing
which had comefrom her washerwoman
On Saturday night. The fire had, by
this time,. gained such headway that she
Could nor'again enter ,th,e burning build-
ing, and she says the did not noeice any
person on the street until ahe came out
the third tile°, when elle few young
Whitney. She strongly affirms that she
'wai under the impression her insurance
had experedeand that she had not renew-
-Rd it. - She also says that he cannot ac- •
count for thOrigin of the fire in any way
other than that the lamp she liad left burn- •
ing on the stand had .exploded, and the
flames communicated, with the wooden'
partition near the stand. She declined
to answer whether or not she was sober
on Sunday ,night. Whether or not
there is any truth in her statement is a
matter which will likely 'forever remain
O niyetery. The threats which she has
been proven to have made and her deter-
meeeed and dissolute character aeem to
indicate that her statement, although'
plausible, is not much to be relied on.
, Hibbert.
THE FALL SIIOW.-The Fall Show of
the Hibbert Branch Agricultural Society
will be held at Staffa on Tuesday the 3rd
of October.
. , Auction Sale.
,
Monday, Sept. 18, on Lot 30, Con. 6, ,
Flibbert,farm stock and implements. Jim!
Waters, proprietor ; W. Hodgson, 'auc-
tioneer.
TAILOR—ING DEPARTMENT
Complete in every detail, showieg the
Largest and FinestAsaortment of
IMPORTED CLOTHS
EVER 9LI0WN XT TELE
777 777, ,
Purchased and Carefully SeleaCd in thc
, best European Market for Cash
BY OUR MR. MCDOUGALL,
Orders for Clothing will receive Prompt
Attention and will lrelound
PRECISELY RICHT IN PRICE.
PRECISEL/Y—RICHT IN QUALITY.
-
PRECISELY RICHT IN INANUFAC'RE.
Delightfully Warm for the Fall
• Season.
, The Very Lowest Pricop for these
Tight Times.
Made Moat Carefully oft the
Premises.
COMB Early and leave your measure.
First Come First Served.
lecu can make the Bese Choice now.
TERMS - ' - CASH,
Or 1 per cent per month added.
GENTS' FURNISHINGS,
HATS Able CAPS,
Weelds, Arrivala from New York of the
. Newest Styles Ont.
111cDotrcatt, & Co,
'
1
,I..tig.i.,titjRc;s$it'..pxpolT913.j.f,potolgtvi.B.E.ft.1);: 1974
• ,
4
Fire
ected
.• „
4
NEW ADV4RTIBEMBNTS.
Weseeyst-Logan & Jaraiesoe.
Millinery -Duncan &
•Card of 'Thanks-Jamee Stanley,
Tailoring -A, G. McDougal & Co.
Farm for Sale-Jobn Eaglesen,
Fenn for Sale --Francis
Notice to Debtor-aWilliam Grassie,
Girls Wanted-Miee Anderson.
Voters' Lists -Township of Hay.
Weetern Fair -Vern. McBride.
Auction Sale -Simon Pewell.
Estray Pig -Henry Pedrew.
Threshing Machine for Sale.
ROI:KU to Rent -Mrs. P. Markey.
Room e to Rent -L. Meyer.
Notice -Mrs. Whitney.
Notice of Meeting -Edward Cash.
Card of Thanks-WilliameCampbell.
Dress Models for Sale -Miss Quinlan.
Notice-eD, McGregor & Son.
Auction Sale -A. Goveulock.
,Auction Sale -John Smallacombe.
Central Exhibition -G. Murton.
Lecture -Henry Ward Beecher.
Card of Thaeks-Hoffirian Brothers.
.Auction-Meitland Bank Cemetery.
Coat Maker Wanted -Hodgins & Pay.
nron txpeoitor.
SEAPORT11, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,1876
Seaforth's Fire.
Seafoeth has, at length, had its big fire.
This was an event not altogether unlook-
ed for. It has, in fact,- been expected
for some years. Ie view oi the charac-
ter of the bloeks of wooden buildings op
either side of Main street in the locality
where the fire originated, there was•
scarcely a resident of the town who did
not live in daily and nightly terrore,of a
--fire which -might endanger the town,
&caking out at any moment. This long
dreaded event has at leogth occurred, and
_ the destruction and devastation has been
even worae than ehe most timid ever an-
ticipated. The extent. of the loss the
town has suffered will be ascertained by
reference to our report of 'the couflagrae
tion uf Monday morning last, which ap-
pears in another,column. But, heavy as
the lose is to the town, and hard as the
blow may fall upon individual sufferers,
we have cause for thankfulness that tbe
general devastation ianot greater than it
is, and all will now rest naore easily that
the danger which has so long isaenaced
thena hes permed.' . While, therefore,
we deeply sympathise with those -
who have unfortunately suffered so
severely, we do not,so far teethe interests
\of tbe town are eoncetned,mourn ever the
loss it has sustained. The loss will oeilP
be temporary, and will be mach more
than compensated for by the good results
which will, or should follow. With the
exception of tbe handsome brick block
owned by Mr, Carmichael, the major -
AY of the -buildings destroyed were of
'a olasi3 which, although valuable to those
• who_owned them, were a.positive injury
te the town and a hindrance to its groeeth
and progress, aed, from a town point, of
view, are well out of the way. Had the
Maureen been saved, few would have re-
gretted the destruction ' of. tbe others, as.
their existence prevented the erection a
good and oreamental buildinge in their
vicinity,and they occupied valuable space
which, now they are gone, ,will soon be
occupied by better. • So that, ,upen the
whole, we anticipate good results rather
than evil for Seefortla from tbe.conflagra-
tion of Monday 'morning. .There is no
• reason why the pretent burnt district
shordd not, ere this time next year, be
covered with brick buildings which will
be a credit to their owners and orna-
ments to the town. There is abundance of
capital to build them and there
in trade te impport 'them. All
that is required is enterprise on
the part of the business men who own
the property, and pnblie spiritedness on
the pare of, our capitalise. Several of
those who own the property are aisle ani
willing to build themeelves, and tebse
who are willing but are not able should
be liberally aided by those of our capital -
had who can spare the means. 'As an
investment, this could not fail to be re-
munerative. No surer or more ,profite
able inveitment for capitol eonid bo
found. Our town is free from debt, and,
consequently, taxa arenot burdensome.
It lias enjoyed for years a business en.
equalled in extent by may other toven of
it* size and years, ha Canada. It is ear -
rounded byan agricultural country
which cannot be excelled for fertility,
and which is populated by people unsetr-
peesed for industry, fnigality and enter-
prise; Why, then, would it not pay,
and pay well, to employ capita in build.
ing np such a place? Let each one put
his shoulder to the wheel, and do his
share in proportion to hi,s ability, and
before it year passes round our town will
not only have reeovered from the slight
shock it has received, but it will be vast-
ly in advance of what it was before. Sea -
forth has always occupied a foremost.po-
sition among the towns of Ontario, and
we are sure that it it the desire of her
citizens not only to keep her PI that po-
'on, but to place her ahead .ofj alt
her mpetitors. We hgve now arrived
sits of orisis in our existence. We
are, as were,,on the balance. Wheth-
er we go backwards or forwards remains
entirely with ourselves. We have the
facilities for advancement at our com-
ma:A if we like to take advantage of
them ; 0r, felling this, we can teemain in-
' active, and retrogression. will follow, and
the trade and prosperity we once enjoy-
ed, stud v43ioh might still °enflame to
peerless, will go to our rivet,. Fiera our
knowledge of the, epiitalista and the
Pttsieess mew of Ssafertlh Ilt4eser, we
Isel'Offeetti sato i11prelldtMe thst t4ey
wjflieikree See +arch fate' Ser. ehe. jaetert. te
overtalee our town, but, me the contrery,
therwill put forth the effeit and, ern -
brace the offering oppottursiter 'to
Im-
proa'e our position and eniQedinge, end
to make our town even more Attractive
and More a subject of eavY' to leer rivals ;
than she Mee ever bean before. ".
• ' Reelrlens Insurahee.
It is' feeguently the case tbatinsurance
companies- are entirely to reddees in
accepting risks forwarded them by•their .r.
agents, and too little heed ie paid to the
real value of the • property insur,ed ad
the standine and character of the pry ,
insuring. This reeklossness operates as •
a direct incentive to arson, and perjury.
• Astriking instance of this lack of dis-
cretion in effecting insurance was brought ,
to light at the trial in tide eoevn on
Tuesday .night. It was therfehown that •
the property. of Mre. Griffith wee insured •
foreS600 ; that it was not worth any
such'sinn, and that•the character of the
insured at tile' time she effected the in-
surance was notoriously bad. If insur- •
ence corapanies would exercise more
caution in this respect incendiary tires
would be of less fiequent occurrence and '
their losses would not be se heavy. If .
they would employ as agents responsible,
reliable, local men, wbo have an beterest
and are known in the field in which they
labor,pastead of entrusting their business
to strangers who know nothing and care
less about the people or property they
insure, and whose pnly object is to get
the commission, there would be fewer
dangerous risks taken, apil the companies
as well as the public would be gainers.
liCkZ5 ALEXANDER MCKENZIE,
minion Premier, has been announced to
deliver a political address to his constitu-
ents at Watford to-dey, Friday. The
Hon. gentleman will, no doubt, frilly
and satisfactorily disprove and set at rest
the many plausible fabrications' which
have been manufactured for the purpoee
of injuring himself end his colleagues by
Opposition orators at recent Conservative
pic-nics.
• News of the Week". ..
A HANDSOME Girls -Harvard College.
has received an anonymoue gift of $12,-
375 62 for the use of the College- ,
• DECREASE IN VALUE. - A. piece of
property in. the "up -town" part of New
York City, which in 187e Was valued it
5200,000, was 'sold the other day for
550,000. "-
YELLOW FEVER. -The official report
froin Savannah, Ga., of the yellow fever
cases, shows that there have been 256
cases since August the 21st, and forty
deaths.
BIG WHEAT FARM.e-A Dakota farmer,
Oliver Dalrymple, finished mitting his
1,200 acres of wheat on Thursday,
and on Monday had two steam threshers
at work threshing it from the shock.
CHAMPION. -The champion whittler is
a -son of toil in Michigan. With his
jacknife he hart whittled, whittled, whit-
tted fqr three,months, and,now he has a
chain six feet long fashioned frora a pine
stismparyinac.kpRo.h.ialeodst
will be published shcatly,
L'on the Turkiah ituation by
tiontserosm THEdarUEL -A
and Mr. Gladstone has written to his
constituents at Greenwich that after its
completion he will; be ready to address
.the proposed masvmeeting there on the
subject.
NEW EINE.-The Inman' Steamship
Company will tat a line,ofiseteamers be-
tween France and New York, begionirig
this month. The first steamer, the City
of Limerick, will ,leave Bordeaux on Sep-
tember 20, and will be followed by the
City of Bristol on Oct. 20.
Emu STEEPLE. -The gpire of Rev'. Dr.,
Hall's church, New York, is finished, the
cap stone • being in place at a height of .
286 feet -two more than Trinity. Six-
teen feet more of bronzed and gilded
crestings; which the architect had in-
cluded in his drawinge, were rejected.
FATAL AND DeseritucTive WATERSPOUT
-Advices from -Hay's City, Kansas,
eays 86 waterspout buret in Kill Creek
Valley on Saturday evening Aug. 26,.
and flooded the entire • bottom 1/2 about
15 minutes. 'Hones, cattle, crops, &c.,
were ewept away, and several persons
drowned,.
AROUND THE WORLD. -It 18 said that
President Grant has determined to make
the trip round the woeld immediately on.
the close.of his Presidential term of of-
fice. Mrs. Grant will accanpany• him.
Mr. Ulysses Grant, 5.r., Will go to
Europe on a visit to his sister; Mrs. Sir-
toris.
New SULTAN. -The deposition of Mu -
,rad occasioned no excitement or disturb-
ance. The deposed monarch has been
aasigned the Tcheregaii Palace as a resi-
dence, Abdul Hamed, the new Sultan,
was received by the.Miniaters and func-
tionaries at tbe Topeapon Palace, where
he was proclaimed ne Abdul Flamed the
Second.
Tns WEATHER' IN EUROPE. -The
weather continues unsettlea and unsea-
sonably cold, as it has been throughout ,
Great Britain for ten days past; there
hes ago been an unusual gitantity of
rain, accompanied in many sections. by
violent wind, Similar reporta have been
received from Prance,/ Germany and
BwitzenoliandO'
Ari. -Thera-
AGoere is reported
feam Stornoway, Scotland, the death of
it woman at the lige of 115 yeate ; and it
said that the ege can be authenticated.
It is noteworthY that she resided all her
lifetime 'in a little thatched 'hovel, She
was never married, and until the last
few yearn enjoyed pretty good health,
and was able to 'be out of bed oceasionh
all,y •
$T. RAM T3ARQB ateambsrgo
City of Port 'Huron, loaded whir iron
ore sank un Monday morning ,at, four
o'clook in 50 feet of water, in talre Huto
on, three miles nortlrof Lakeport, The
crew were saved by boats which Went
out to tho rescue. The City of Port
uron iti valued at 815,000, and is
probably wall insured. "She irg owned -in
Tan Bn tartest Buffalo Youle3 Atmetettit C.
-Tho order requiring payment of '.6314
nsony n the ease of Ann Elea against
Br' 'Young not having been 06,14:-
plie '004 the tweenti *si
„placetlizt the hinds of the prOked. Otte&
.08
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