| July 12, 1917 |
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$1.50 Per Year |
| One of the most serious fires in the history of Humboldt occurred on Friday evening last and which in its early stages threatened the destruction of the main business section of the town if not practically the whole business section. The high pressure water works system, however, proved the salvation of the town, and was equal to the severe test that it was put to. The fire broke out about a quarter to seven in the second floor of the Palace livery barn, on Livingston street. The loft was filled with hay at the time, and it was only a few seconds till the whole building was a mass of flames and the best fire equipment on earth could not have saved it. The alarm was at once sent in and the fire brigade was soon on the job, and four streams of water were soon playing on the conflagration. The siren whistle roused the whole town and a tremendous crowd gathered and a large number besides the members of the brigade gave their assistance and helped in every way possible in an effort to check the fire. It seemed like only a few minutes till the large livery barn was a heap of ruins. The heat was terrific, and the next building on the north side, occupied by N. W. Schmidt, shoe repair shop, and J. Brady's building in which was the barber shop and billiard hall, were also soon enveloped. This building was also practically totally destroyed, but by heroic efforts the fire was checked here and got under control and the building adjoining it, owned by the Humboldt Realty Co., and occupied by the Rex Cafe and Thos. Mathews, separated by only a few inches, was only slightly scorched and any damage done was caused by water. In the meantime on the south, the fire had taken a hold on the outbuildings and a barn of the Humboldt Hotel, which were only a few feet from the livery barn. The heat was so severe that the hotel also took fire and it seemed certain that the hotel and the other buildings adjoining were also doomed to destruction. However, with two streams of water playing on it, one on the outside and one being taken right |
inside the building, the flames here were also got under control and finally totally extinguished. It was nearly two hours from the time the fire broke out till all danger of further loss was over. The hotel was very badly damaged, both by fire and water. The greater part of the contents, to which much damage was done had been removed onto the street. The building adjoining it, occupied by E. Maney a barber shop and billiard hall, was also considerably damaged. Much damage was done to the contents also when being removed. The grocery store on the corner, owned by Archie Power, while not damaged by fire, looks as though a cyclone had gone through the interior as an effort had been made to remove the stock before the flames could reach the building, much damage being caused in its removal. It is estimated that the total loss caused by the fire will amount to between $20,000 and $30,000. The livery barn, where the fire originated, was owned by Jos. Maw & Co., of Winnipeg upon which some insurance was carried, but we have been unable to learn the amount. The barn was being conducted by H. C. Hallett, who is a]so quite a heavy loser, as most of his sleighs, which were stored up stairs, harness, feed and other equipment were consumed, upon which there was no insurance. N. W. Schmidt, whose shoe repair shop was destroyed sustained a loss of several hundred dollars. Mr. J. Brady had $2750 on his building, but nothing on the contents. Some of the billiard tables, which were all removed, were so badly damaged as to make them unfit for further use. Mr. Archie Power, proprietor of the Humboldt hotel and the grocery store, sustained one of the heaviest losses. He had insurance on the hotel of only $600 and $1000 on the contents. P. L. Brabazon, who was conducting the restaurant of the hotel, also had a considerable loss. E. Maney had a loss of several hundred dollars, caused by damage to his billiard tables and equipment when being removed.
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