Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of Manistee, MASON and Oceana counties, Michigan H. R. Page & Co., Chicago - 1882 -54- THE GREAT FIRE OF 1881 Saturday, June 11th, 1881, the city of Ludington was visited by a destructive fire that, in the space of a few hours, wiped out of existence nearly one hundred buildings, and destroyed property mounting in value to about $200,000. The total insurance on the property destroyed was about $95,000. A very full account of the fire was published in the columns of the LUDINGTON DEMOCRAT, and we quote from its columns: "The fire originated under the bakery building situated on West Loomis Street opposite the site of the old Marshall House. It was first discovered about fifteen min- utes to 12 o'clock, and the alarm was given at once. Flames burst from under the bakery building, between it and the Eberle building, and within a few minutes both structures were in flames. The wind was brisk from the southward, and during the afternoon veered to the southwest. The hand fire-engine was placed in posi- tion and two streams of water were thrown to check, if possible, the rapid progress of the flames. The fire was either caused by the careless stub of a cigar, or it was the work of an incendiary. Both these theories have earnest believers. "At one time the fire seemed to be under control when it was confined to the building under which it originated, but the bursting of the hose delayed the work of the engine, and during the inter- val the fire gained sufficient headway to defy all attempts to check its progress. The flames rapidly devoured the buildings located on the rear alley, and also those on either side. The wind seemed to freshen to a gale, and flying cinders communicated destruction to the old school buildings on the corner of Ludington Avenue and James Street, and to the frame buildings located on South Charles Street. By this time the utmost confusion prevailed, hurrying to and fro were the many occupants of the buildings in range of the fire on the avenue, and all with the intent of saving what little property they could. The heavy column of smoke darkened the sky and blinded the buildings in its wake from people a block dis- tant. The flames communicated to Kuhli's barber shop, on the east side of South James Street; and also to the LUDINGTON RECORD building on the same street. They also leaped across South Charles Street, and in an instant Ewing's carriage warehouse was in flames. From the Ewing warehouse the Alexander brick block caught on fire, and with its contents was entirely destroyed. The Ewing carriage factory, west of the Alexander Block, caught on fire, and destruction spread to Robert Street, buring the residences of Mr. LAFAYETTE BENNETT and Mr. D. ABAIR, together with a greater portion of their contents. Fire was communicated to the barns and buildings on the alley, and to the HOLMQUIST undertaking estab- lishment, where it was finally checked on that block by the united effort of a large force of men and one stream from the engine. On the east side of James Street Clayton's brick block, with its contents, was entirely destroyed. Stout's furniture ware-rooms and every building on the entire block, with the exception of the David Wilson brick block, the Demme market, and two small residences located on the extreme southeast corner, near the M. E. Church, were burned to the ground. The engine house and council room, on North Charles Street, was destroyed; also every building on the block fronting on Ludington Avenue and lying between North Charles and North James Streets, except the brick stores of Cartier & Filer, B. J. Goodsell & Co., George N. Stray and W. C. Starr, and the frame residences of Mrs. JAMES THOMPSON and Mr. Wm. ALLEN. Every building on the block facing Ludington Avenue, and lying between North James and North Harrison Streets was destroyed, including Temperance Hall, the Congegational Church and the M. E. parsonage. The flames spread east of South Harrison street and burned Gebardt's brick building to the ground, and running north burned the Episcopal church and parsonage, and on the west side of North Harrison, and north of Court Street, the resi- dences of Mr. THOMAS G. BISHOP, Mr. JOHN DAVIDSON and Mr. FRANK STEVENS were destroyed, with nearly their entire contents. The fire was at last got under control by the exertion of almost super- human efforts on the part of the people. Several buildings were saved ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -55- from destruction by the utmost exertions, among them the Presby- terian church, the residence of Mr. J. A. GEBHARDT, the stores of Cartier & Filer, B. J. Goodsell & Co., George N. Stray and W. C. Starr, the shoe store of Mr. D. W. GOODENOUGH, the FAYETTE JOHN- SON block (in which is located the DEMOCRAT office), the Ennis house, the residence of Mrs. JAMES THOMPSON and the residence of Mr. H. M. NEWCOMB. The fire was placed under control about half-past five o'clock, and the scene of destruction was, to the citizens of Ludington, as the scenes in Chicago after the great fire of 1871 were to the average citizen of that city. "SCENES AFTER THE FIRE "As the smoke rolled away and unveiled the burned district and its surroundings, the utmost confusion prevailed. Every vacant lot in the vicinity of the fire for blocks around, was covered with rem- nants of some mercantile stock, or the household furniture of some unfortunate. Wearing apparel and cooking utensils were scattered in confusion, and groups of men, women and children, who had been driven from their homes by the fire demon, were guarding what little effects they had saved from their late homes. The walls of burned buildings were adding their might to the din of confusion, as one after another gave away and tumbled to the ground with a crash. Heaps of half burned furniture and household goods were scattered through the streets in every direction, and as night threw its sable mantle o'er the earth, teams, carts and conveyances of all kinds were busily employed in conveying the remnants saved from the fire to some friendly shelter. A friendly has was extended to all, and by 8 o'clock in the evening a greater portion of the saved was under shelter, and the owners lodged in some residence of a friend or acquaintance. "WORK OF REBUILDING "Our reporter visited nearly all of the land owners of the burned district, and has ascertained that the better class of buildings will be rebuilt at once if proper protection from fire is guaranteed by the city. Mr. H. F. ALEXANDER will either re- build his store or a fine office for the use of the Western Un- ion Telegraph Company and the American Express Company. Hon. P. M. DANAHER will rebuild the large brick store occupied by ADAM DRACH & Co., and will, in the coming Spring, rebuild on the corner of Ludington Avenue and Charles Street. Messrs. WHITE and FOSTER will probably rebuild the brick block on the corner of Ludington Avenue and North James Street. Mr. GEORGE W. CLAYTON will build on the corner of Ludington Avenue and James Street five brickstores; one of them will front on the avenue and four on James Street. These stores will probably be built three stories in height. Mr. T. G. BISHOP will rebuild his residence and barn on the corner of North Harrison and West Court Streets. The Congregational Church society held a meeting at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. CHARLES E. RESSIGUIE Monday evening, and voted to rebuild their church at once. A building committee was appointed, and a church larger than the old one will be erected. The Episcopalian Church society will also rebuild. JOHN A. GEBHARDT has purchased a building on James Street, and is moving the same onto his lot on the avenue for temporary purposes, until he can have time to again build on the site of his brick block. Mr. C. G. WING has already up and enclosed a small barn, situated on his lot, known as the Slater lot, fronting on the avenue, and will use the same for an office until he has time to erect a fire proof building on the same lot fronting on the avenue. Mr. JOHN FANNON had his brick and other material on the site of his old building Monday morning, and his brick foundation is al- ready completed and ready for the superstructure. Messrs. WIL- LIAMS & WHEELER have the material on the ground for a two-story brick veneered building, which they will build on their lot lately purchased of DAVID WILSON. The lot is situated just south of R. M. GARRETT'S shoe store, on South James Street. Mr. J. N. FOSTER has the material on the ground for a new residence on the site of the old one, and by Saturday night will have it enclosed. Mr. HER- MAN KUHLI will probably build a two-story brick on the site of his South James Street barber shop. Messrs. DARR, SAWYER & McMASTER, proprietors of the LUDINGTON RECORD, will erect a fire proof build- ing on South James Street. "Mr. DAVID WILSON will build a fine brick store two stories in height on his lots on South James Street. Mr. H. VOIGHT will probably build a two-story brick store building on his lot on the avenue. Mr. FRANK STEVENS wishes to sell a part of his avenue lot, and build a two-story brick on the balance of his lot. Mr. WILLIAM A. KIESEWALTER will rebuild his building on the avenue. Mr. B. J. GOODSELL will erect four brick stores, two fronting on the avenue and two on South Charles Street. "LOCATION OF FIRMS BURNED OUT. "The office of the Western Union Telegraph Company is now located in the office of GEORGE N. STRAY, in the rear of the store. Messrs. WILLIAMS & WHEELER have taken up an office in the store of H. H. SHACKELTON, on South James Street. Hon. ISAAC GIBSON has taken an office in the basement of GOODENOUGH'S shoe store. Mr. C. L. TRIPP has established himself in the JAMES THOMPSON build- ing on North Charles Street. Messrs. F. W. ANDREW & Co. have moved the remnants of their stock into the store just east of NEW COMB'S office on the avenue. Messrs. WHEELER and BISHOP have rented the H. M. NEWCOMB office on the avenue. The proprietors of the LUDINGTON RECORD have taken up their office with the DEMO- CRAT, in the basement of the JOHNSON block. Mr. D. V. SAMUELS has taken an office in the second story of the CARTIER & FILER block. Messrs. WHITE & McMAHON have taken up an office in the same build- ing. Mr. WILLIAM HEYSETT has started a new store in the building just west of HUSTON'S hardware. Mrs. S. A. CILLEY has opened her millinery rooms at the PIATT House, with entrance on Charles Street. Mr. C. G. WING is located in his temporary office on the rear of his lot located on the south side of the avenue. Mr. JOHN FAIRBANKS has moved what material he saved into the rooms occupied by him as a residence, over the new store of F. W. ANDREW & Co. J. A. GEBHARDT has his work-shop located at his residence, in the rear of his old store. The postoffice is located on East Dowland Street, near the corner of South James, in the ARMSTRONG building. SHACKELTOn Bros. have moved their second-hand store into the KNIF- FIN building on the avenue. ALDRICH Bros. have rented the MIKE KENNEDY building on South James Street, and moved their goods therein. Dr. F. S. KNOWLES has established his dental rooms in the SHORTS building, on South James Street. Mrs. A. L. BARTLETT has her dress-making rooms with Mrs. S. A. CILLEY, at the PIATT House; entrance on Charles street. Mr. F. C. SILVER will remain in Lud- ington, and open his photograph business as soon as suitable rooms can be found. Mr. M. B. DANAHER has his law office for the pre- sent at the store of GEORGE N. STRAY. SHERMAN Bros. have taken up ------------------------------------------------------------------- -56- a temporary office in the store of H. H. Shackelton, on South James Street. The American Express Company has its office at YOUNG'S grocery store on South James Street. "Mrs. D. G. SCROGGS is located with her millinery for the present in GOODENOUGH'S shoe store. "Mr. A. H. VOIGHT is located at the FISK boarding house, on the avenue. "Mr. JOEL WHIPPLE is located in J. ALLEN & Son's hay pressing warehouse, with his marble works. "Mr. JOSEPH ROUSSIN is located near the Hanson House, on South James Street. "Mr. C. C. WARD has his office at the state bank. "Dr. MAY has his office at the Fisk boarding house. "Mr. W. G. HUDSON is building a temporary paint shop on the Dowland lot on Ludington Avenue. "INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS. "Mr. J. E. CARLETON was terribly burned in the face and on the hands while trying to secure a portion of his household furniture. "Mr. CHARLES T. SAWYER had his hands badly burned. "Mrs. C. L. TRIPP was in Detroit at the time of the fire. "Judge SHUBAEL F. WHITE was at Denver, Col., at the time of the fire. "Rev. B. P. HEWITT injured his foot very badly. "Mr. C. P. STANTON was severely burned while attempting to save property from the WILLIAMS & WHEELER hardware store. "DRIVEN OUT WITH PARTIAL LOSS "H. A. SUTHERLAND, law office; J. B. SCHICK, law office; SAMUEL KEE, blacksmith and wagon making, tools and stock; LOUIE GAGNON, household goods; SAMUEL FISHER, market fix- tures; Mr. LAFROMWAY, furniture; Mr. R. BEATIE, furniture; Mrs. JOHN CROWLEY, furniture; CASWELL & MORE, pump stock; JOHN KRATZ, furniture and stock; DENNIS KINNEY, furniture; JOHN FANNON, saloon fixtures and stock, also household furniture; W. W. CLARK, furniture; L. N. ROUSSIN, furniture; J. N. ROUSSIN, furniture, etc.; D. ABAIR, furniture; Mrs. D. G. SCROGGS, millinery goods; Singer Sewing Machine Company; GEORGE ALEXANDER and Mrs. JOHN BOSLEY, furniture; WHEELER & BISHOP, law office; C. G. WING, law office; J. A. MITCHELL, surveyor's office; I. H. McCOLLUM, insurance office; ISAAC GIBSON, law office; Dr. J. A. MAY, office fixtures; C. T. SAWYER, abstract office; Mrs. ALBERT MILLER, household furniture; Mrs. D. G. SCROGGS, household furniture; Mrs. SLATER, household furniture; Mrs. JAMES MORGAN & Co., houshold furniture, etc.; W. W. CLARK, barber; C. W. HUDSON, boarding house; H. P. BEARDSLEY, jeweler." "HELP FROM THE MILLS AND COUNTRY. "As soon as the alarm was sounded, all mills and places where men were employed, were shut down, and the men sent to aid in putting out the fire, and the most of them did valuable aid, for which every good citizen is thankful. There were also a large number of people from the surrounding country, and to whom we wish to express the many thanks of our citizens. We could name a number, but space forbids in this issue. We have heard it remarked on every hand that had it not been for the men from the surrounding country, Ludington would have suffered a severer scorch than she did." "LOSSES BEING PAID. "Already the insurance adjusters are on the ground, and the holders of policies are receiving their money. A large number of policies have been paid, and the prospects are that no trouble will arise from any adjustment. The WHITE agency and the McCOLLUM, held the majority of the insurance on the property burned, and agents McMAHON and McCOLLUM are aiding in the quick work being done by the companies and the insured. The losses with amount of insurance and value of property destroyed were as follows: INS. VALUE MEYERS' estate, store ...................$ 800 $ 1,600 S. A. ALDRICH, merchandise ............... 2,500 2,500 MEYERS' estate, store .................... 250 1,000 A. PALMITER, furniture ................... ..... 300 SAM KEE, wagon shop ...................... ..... 300 SAM KEE, residence ....................... ..... 800 ANNA EBERLE, store ....................... 800 1,400 F. OHLAND, saloon stock .................. 700 4,000 F. OHLAND, furniture ..................... 300 700 C. E. RESSIGUIE, two stores .............. ..... 2,000 SAMUEL FISHER, furniture ................. 200 400 PAT. BUTLER, stores ...................... 450 1,200 PAT. BUTLER, barn ........................ 50 100 A. D. CULVER, merchandise ................ 300 400 JOHN A. ROACH, two stores ................ ..... 1,200 CASWELL & MOORE, pump factory ............ ..... 100 C. G. WING, store ........................ ..... 500 HARVEY & STRICKLAND, store ............... 400 600 MOSES ZIEF, merchandise .................. 1,900 12,000 FRANK KUHLI, store ....................... 750 1,400 H. M. SHOEMAKER, saloon goods ............ ..... 400 H. M. SHOEMAKER, furniture ............... ..... 350 School district, two buildings ........... ..... 1,200 PAT. BUTLER, saloon fixtures ............. 500 500 SHACKELTON Bros. ......................... ..... 300 JOHN FANNON .............................. 600 1,200 H. F. ALEXANDER, store ................... 2,000 4,000 H. F. ALEXANDER, merchandise ............. 4,000 6,000 NETTIE BRIGGS, furniture, etc. ........... 600 800 Dr. DONAVIN .............................. ..... 300 P. EWING, warehouse ...................... 200 350 P. EWING, carriage factory ............... 500 1,000 P. EWING, stock .......................... 600 1,000 SAM. KEE, furniture ...................... 150 400 JOSEPH ROUSSIN ........................... ..... 500 G. WEATHERWAX, paint shop ................ ..... 300 LAFE BENNETT, residence .................. 900 1,200 LAFE BENNETT, furniture .................. 200 200 LAFE BENNETT, shop ....................... 150 300 LAFE BENNETT, tools ...................... 100 200 D. ABAIR, residence ...................... 800 1,400 D. ABAIR, barn ........................... ..... 200 POMIER & PERRIN, residence ............... 400 600 POMIER & PERRIN, furniture ............... 100 200 M. HOLMQUEST, undertaker ................. ..... 500 FAYETTE JOHNSTON, barn ................... ..... 100 PETER MENDELSON, clothing ................ 1,000 1,000 City, engine house ....................... ..... 2,000 City, contents ........................... ..... 500 J. N. FOSTER, two dwellings .............. 1,000 2,000 J. N. FOSTER, barn ....................... ..... 200 Wm. ALLEN, barn .......................... ..... 200 Mrs. THOMPSON, furniture, etc. ........... 300 500 Mrs. JAS. THOMPSON, barn ................. ..... 100 H. F. DIETRICH, store .................... ..... 700 H. F. DIETRICH, tools .................... ..... 300 FRANK STEVENS, three stores .............. 1,000 3,000 L. N. ROUSSIN, market .................... 200 400 C. L. TRIPP, merchandise ................. 800 1,000 C. L. TRIPP, fixtures .................... 200 400 B. RAYNE, store .......................... 900 1,800 F. W. ANDREWS & Co., merchandise ......... 1,200 1,600 A. E. CARTIER, furniture ................. ..... 300 Mrs. CRAWFORD, furniture ................. ..... 500 H. VOIGT, store .......................... 1,800 2,200 H. VOIGT, furniture ...................... 600 400 DANAHER & WHITE, store ................... 2,000 4,000 ADAM DRACH & Co., merchandise ............10,500 13,000 WHITE & FOSTER, store .................... 1,400 3,000 F. N. LATIMER, merchandise ............... 2,000 6,000 WHITE & McMAHON, library, etc. ........... ..... 300 F. C. SILVERS, gallery, etc. ............. 1,200 2,000 Red Ribbon Club, hall .................... 1,200 2,000 MEYERS' estate, tenement house ........... 400 1,200 DAVID WILSON, barn ....................... ..... 300 H. KUHLI, barber shop .................... 300 800 H. KUHLI, tools .......................... 200 350 G. W. CLAYTON, brick block ............... 4,000 8,000 WILLIAMS & WHEELER, merchandise .......... 6,000 9,500 C. C. WARD, merchandise .................. 2,000 3,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------- -57- INS. VALUE Dr. F. S. KNOWLES, dental ................ 300 400 G. W. CLAYTON, store ..................... 800 1,400 Wm. HEYSETT, merchandise ................. 2,500 2,500 W. C. HUDSON, merchandise ................ 600 700 RECORD office ............................ 1,800 3,300 SHERMAN Bros., store ..................... 700 1,200 SHERMAN Bros., merchandise ............... 650 1,500 H. H. WHEELER, P. O. fixtures ............ 250 500 Mrs. A. L. BARTLETT, store ............... 750 1,400 Mrs. A. L. BARTLETT, furniture ........... 250 600 Mrs. S. A. CILLEY, merchandise, etc. ..... 800 1,500 E. ANDREW, music hall .................... 950 2,800 O. S. STOUT, furniture stock ............. 2,000 4,000 Mrs. O. S. STOUT, millinery .............. ..... 500 H. H. MUEFFELS, store .................... 1,400 1,400 E. COTTON, merchandise ................... ..... 100 A. STINGLE, furniture .................... ..... 500 A. STINGLE, tools ........................ ..... 300 C. G. WING, store ........................ ..... 200 JOEL WHIPPLE, marble stock ............... ..... 800 Mrs. ALBERT MILLER, store ................ 400 1,200 W. A. KIESWALTER, store .................. 1,000 1,600 W. A. KIESWALTER, residence .............. ..... 500 W. A. KIESWALTER, barn ................... ..... 100 W. A. KIESWALTER, merchandise ............ 1,500 4,000 C. G. WING, dwelling ..................... ..... 200 JOHN A. GEBHARDT, store .................. 1,500 3,300 JOHN A. GEBHARDT, merchandise ............ 1,000 2,500 F. J. DOWLAND, store ..................... 500 700 Mrs. J. MORGAN & Co., merchandise ........ 800 400 JOHN FAIRBANKS, merchandise .............. 350 600 H. KUHLI, office and residence ........... 800 1,300 H. KUHLI, furniture ...................... ..... 900 C. H. FRALICK, building, etc. ............ 1,100 1,500 Methodist Episcopal parsonage ............ ..... 1,200 Congregational Church .................... 2,000 5,000 C. H. FRALICK, barn ...................... ..... 200 FRANK STEVENS, residence, etc. ........... ..... 650 T. G. BISHOP, residence, barn, etc. ...... 600 1,775 JENNIE DAVIDSON, residence ............... 500 800 E. SURPLICE, furniture ................... ..... 600 Episcopal church and parsonage ........... 1,900 3,000 Rev. J. B. PRICHARD, furniture ........... 400 800 INSURANCE ON PROPERTY BURNED Watertown, of New York ............................ 10,975 Phoenix, of Brooklyn .............................. 8,625 Aurora, of Cincinnati ............................. 9,750 Detroit Fire & Marine ............................. 6,500 Home, of New York ................................. 5,000 Lancashire, of Manchester, England ................ 5,000 Mercantile, of Cleveland .......................... 4,500 Traders ........................................... 4,000 Newark, City of New Jersey ........................ 3,550 Hamburg, Magdeburg ................................ 3,300 Manhattan, of New York ............................ 3,000 North Western National ............................ 2,800 Imperial & Northern ............................... 2,750 Underwriters Association .......................... 2,600 American, of Philadelphia ......................... 2,500 German American ................................... 2,250 Fire Association .................................. 2,200 Newark, of New Jersey ............................. 2,150 Hartford, of Hartford ............................. 2,000 Fire Association, of London ....................... 1,475 Peoples ........................................... 600 Unknown ........................................... 10,000 ------ GRAND TOTAL ..............................$ 95,525 ===========================================================================