Titusville, Pennsylvania Fire

March 1866

ANOTHER DISASTROUS FIRE

The Moore House and Fourteen Buildings Destroyed.

LOSS FROM $75,000 TO $100,000

Insurance less than $25,000

THE FIRE ACCIDENTAL

We are again called upon to record a most disastrous fire, sweeping away an entire square in one of the most populous and best business sections of the city. The Moore House and fourteen buildings are in flames at the present writing (11 o’clock), and fears are entertained that the adjoining square must be involved in the conflagration.

Unfortunately both of the engines are inoperative in consequences of the extreme cold, and the multitude are rushing to and fro in a while and distracted condition, vainly exerting themselves to stay the destroying flames.

The fire broke out in the livery stable of J. V. Kibble. The alarm was started at precisely at ten o’clock. At that juncture our reporter was standing at the corner of Spring and Franklin streets, and hearing the cry, ran down Franklin and saw a bright light through the cracks of the barn, in the loft of the stable. Mr. H. Bunting and others were endeavoring to break in the doors, and as soon as they succeeded, the crowd rushed in an commenced to remove the vehicles on the ground floor. There were no horses in the stable. Mr. Kibble having left yesterday morning with his entire stock.

The engines, hose and hook & ladder were quickly on the ground and commenced active operations. Washington engine No. 1 took suction in the mill race, near the Titusville mill, but it was found that the valves were frozen and the machine would not take suction. Chief Engineer Gelb at once discovered the cause of the difficulty and directed some of the men to procure hot water.

TWELVE O’CLOCK.—The engines are both vigorously at work and doing excellent service. The flames rapidly extended to Water street on the south and Arch street on the north, and to the Moore House in the rear, and before any water could be effectually supplied, that magnificent building was completely wrapped in flames.

The citizens used their utmost exertions to save property and furniture, and a portion of the contents of the Moore House were safely removed and also from several of the stores on Franklin street.

But everything was thrown promiscuously into street; and it would have seemed almost impossible for any owner to identify his goods.

The engines were worked effectually, but as usual the crowd were indifferent, and a few men were left to do the work. Hundreds of citizens stood by with their hands in their pockets, and no degree of persuasion could induce them to “man the brakes.”

Citizens Engine Co. No. 1, Harry Randall, Foreman, did excellent service in Arch street, and prevented the flames from extending to Andrews & Brewer’s building, and the Wolfe block, opposite the Moore House.

Washington Engine No. 2, got suction in the raceway, west of the Titusville Mills, and soon quenched the angry flames on Franklin street, and stopped their progress southward. They saved the south side of Water street, when everybody feared that the fire would cross the raceway, envelop Good’s block, destroying the stores of Brown & Barron and Olmsted & Jewhurst.

The burnt district comprises the entire square between Arch street and Water street, and Franklin street and the unoccupied lots on Martin street. The derrick and engine house of the Leland & Mills wells were both entirely destroyed.

The following is a list of losses, as near as we can ascertain, at the time of going to press.

Lloyd’s Bracket manufactury.
Elton’s Bracket manufactury.
Elton’s Livery stable, owned by S. Mills.
G. W. Hull building, occupied by Munson’s Oyster Depot.
Backus’ Saloon, owned by a farmer, name unknown.
Strauss & Gottshall, Grocery, tenants, building owned by same party as last.
Russ & Rickett, Grocery, owners of building.
Harris, Saloon, tenant, building owned by Russ and Rickett.
Livery Stable, T. V. Kibble, tenant, S. Mills, owner.
S. Marks, Clothing Store
Cincinnati Bakery, owner unknown
J. Buser’s Shoe store
An Oil Exchange, unoccupied
The Moore House.

The Moore House was one of the few “landmarks” of the old time and an institution of which our community were justly proud. The landlord, Major Mills, is one of our most enterprising citizens, and most popular of hosts. He had, during the past summer, greatly enlarged the accommodations of his hotel, adding an extension in the rear, a wing, and constructing a highly ornamental portico, and balcony in the front. The traveling public, throughout the country, will learn of his calamity with deep regret, and the sincerest sympathy was expressed by our citizens as they saw this splendid hotel so lately the scene of hospitality, a prey to the irresistible flames.

The House would accommodate 150 guests and had, at the time of its destruction, about seventy-five regular boarders, embracing many of our best business men. The tenants of the Andrews & Brower Block, opposite the Moore House—Messrs B. S. Haight, Henry Harley, H. L. Bloss, and M. E. VanSickle were compelled to remove their furniture in a highly damaged condition, but the building was finally saved, and also Wolf’s block by the energy of the fire department and citizens, in applying wet blankets, etc.

There were many instances of personal exposure and efficient service, which we should be glad to note, but are unable to do so at this late hour.

Titusville Morning Herald, Titusville, PA 8 Mar 1866

THE GREAT FIRE

The burnt district looks desolate enough. The buildings destroyed were not much, architecturally considered, but their loss makes a sad gap in Franklin street. Nothing is now left from Arch to Water street on the east side of Franklin but a smouldering mass of ruins. The shoe shop of Mr. Buser, S. Marks’ clothing store, the Cincinnati bakery, Harris & Backus’ saloons, Russ & Ricket’s and Strauss & Gootshall’s groceries; Lloyds’ bracket factory with its current wheel; Eaton & Cushmyns, and Kibbie’s livery stables; Captain Munsen’s famous oyster and fish market, are all swept away. There was a brisk getting out, not only of goods and household furniture but of persons. The flames moved with great rapidity. Could the engines have been got to work twenty minutes sooner the Moore House would have been standing today.

At one time it seemed as if the buildings on Arch street would go. By the most strenuous efforts of firemen and citizens they were saved. The buildings on Franklin above Arch street were only saved by the hardest work of the bucket company, (volunteer.) The wind was fortunately southwest and swept the flames towards the partially vacant space in the direction of Water street. The owners of buildings in that vicinity worked bravely, and beat back the danger. The sight of the burning derricks and the sheets of flame from the barrel factory were pyrotechnical displays of the highest order. But perhaps the grandest of all was when the Moore House was in full burning along its entire front, and the part extending to the rear. Could such a sight be looked upon without thinking how great a loss was being sustained by somebody, it would be worth going a long distance to see.

We should like to mention the many comicalies and absurdities that fell under our attention. As usual the zealous, but over excited men repeated the phenomenon of “taking up tenderly” and carrying down with care beds and mattresses, while windows were smashed by throwing bureaus and crockery out the second story. We heard one man speak rapturously, today of saving three chickens by pulling them from their roost nest it should be a roast. One poor chanticleer who was wandering about concluded that this “world was a fleeting show” and deliberately walked into the flames of the Moore House. He was philosophical and thought he was doomed to “go to pot” any how and he preferred to do it in his own way. A door dog who was taking a snooze in the loft in Kibbe’s stable, unable to escape bounded from one side of the building to the other, uttered the most piercing yells and finally when the fire got well going, fell through half-burned to death and moaned most piteously for a few minutes and then lay quiet till the fire and falling beams completely hid him from view.

It is reported that a boarder at the Moore House made his escape by jumping from the second story to a mattress held to catch him. This may be myth, but the dog story is all right, ditto the yarn about the game chicken. We saw three or four men, part of whom we were, try for a long time to detach some hose and put in another length. The getting them apart was easy enough, but putting them together was another, Some shouted “play away 2!” and the whole four were treated to a shower bath and the splicing hindered. Two or three attempts were made before the extra length was all right. The expletives used by “our army in Flanders” was outdone for a short time. The conglomeration of pots and kettles, silks and dress goods, boots and stoves, beds and hoop skirts, pianos and wash tubs, hat racks and sofas, carpets and confectionery, band boxes and looking glasses, et cetera, et cetera, that was used to barricade all the streets leading away from the fire was enough to bring dismay to any well regulated housekeeper, and put in the background the strictest house cleaning day ever known.

What would become of everybody, and where would the burned out stay, were questions often asked. It was consoling to know that most of them must stay out all night and guard their traps, and then refreshing to think that our Hotel keepers deeply sympathized with Major Mills, and were willing to “take in” as many strangers as should apply to their hospitable doors.

We had hoped to give a full account of all the losses and the insurance, but there is a remarkable reticence on the part of some. H. Buser, shoe shop, had on building, $500—total loss; Edward Mauger, bakery, on stock, $600—total loss; James S. Boven, office, $250—total loss; all in the Metropolitan, Mills & Wrigley, agents, B. S. Haight and H. L. Bloss, had slight losses on furniture in their rooms—fully insured; claims already settled as will be seen by their cards. Major Mills had $18,500 on House and contents, a part of the furniture and silver ware was saved but in a damaged condition. The steward, Mr. Mathews, lost his entire wardrobe, except that as he is always “up and dressed,” he saved what he had on. Several boarders lost all their baggage. The new stable attached to the House contained twenty horses—all saved; but the harnesses, saddles and grain and hay were consumed—no insurance.

The mooted question yesterday was: “How did the fire take?” and, “was it accidental, or set on fire?” In answer to the first query we should say, it took readily, first rate, in fact could not have well taken better. But in answer to other question, we are more in the dark. Our opinion is—worth as much as yours good reader, and just as reliable. It seems to be conceded that the fire took in the loft of Kibbie’s stables. Mr. Kibbie had closed out his livery business only the day before and had removed his stock back to New York, whence he came. We think he had no interest in any of the property. We think the fire was the result of accident or carelessness. Time and further developments may change our views, but such they are now. When we get our city authorities all in place, we can have an investigation into causes of fires and perhaps learn something to our advantage about these things.

Our Fireman worked well. They need more discipline. Orders should be heard and received from only the chief, and then obeyed promptly. When citizens shout orders, and give directions, confusion is made and real progress hindered. Our new Hook and Ladder Company were on hand and did all they could. Their apparatus is not quite complete yet. The volunteer Bucket companies did good service. Long may it be before we have another such fire, and soon may the time come when we shall have a Steam Fire Engine and a well organized company of “Protectives.”

A Card

We desire to express our thanks to the gallant Firemen of the city of Titusville for their efficient services in saving our property, the Titusville Mills, from total destruction. We also wish to thank the many citizens who so generously lent their timely aid in helping to save our building from the flames. We feel satisfied, but for these efforts of firemen and citizens, a mass of ruins only would now remain as our possession. We leave in the hands of the proprietors of the “MORNING HERALD” One Hundred Dollars, for the benefit of the Fire Department. We feel that the firemen of this city have not received that consideration from our citizens that they have so richly earned, and we trust that other persons who have been as signally benefited will make due acknowledgment for such advantage as they have derived from the Fire Department.
STACKPOLE, HANCOX & CO.
TITUSVILLE, March 9th, 1866.

Note.—The one hundred dollars above mentioned is in our hands subject to the order of the proper parties.
BLOSS BROS. & COGSWELL,
Proprietors MORNING HERALD

Titusville Morning Herald, Titusville, PA 9 Mar 1866

THE FIRE.—We have taken some pains to find out the amount of insurance held by sufferers at the fire. We presume the list is not quite complete, but we think it is nearly so. It will be seen the whole amount, by our report is $33,350. It may not be an over estimate to call the property saved $8,000 to $9,000. This would leave a loss to the various Insurance Companies of about $25,000. All of Major Mills’ policies, but one for $5,000, expired at noon, March 8th. The fire was about 10 P.M. the 8th, so there was but fourteen hours leeway. Pretty close sailing for the Major. But a miss is as good as a mile.

We saw a policy today in an insurance office, for $2,000, made out to one of the sufferers, and refused a few days ago because the Company would not take it less than four per cent. A premium of three per cent had been left with the application, which had been refunded. Had the man paid $80 premium, he would be $1,920 better off today.

Titusville Morning Herald, Titusville, Pa 10 Mar 1866

Articles transcribed by Dorcas Moseley. Thanks Dorcas!

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