Brave Girls Sound Alarm

 The Register-Leader, January 12, 1907

Remaining at Their Post of Duty at the Peril of Their Lives.

Called Out the Firemen.

Who by Valiant Work Saved the Business Part of Lowell from Destructive Flames - Midnight Fire Causes Two Thousand Dollar Loss.

The business part of the town of Lowell was threatened with destruction by flames shortly after ten o'clock Friday night, and but for the heroic work of a couple of young ladies at the telephone exchange, who at the risk of their lives, awakened the town, there would have been a disastrous fire. As it was, one of the main business blocks of the town was gutted by the flames, entailing damages which will aggregate about two thousand dollars.

Shortly after ten o'clock, a man on the street discovered that the Mattern Block at the corner of Front and Walnut streets was on fire. The blaze had started on the lower floor, which is occupied by Mrs. Esther L. Newton's millinery and dress-making establishment. The blinds were down at the time, but the man was attracted by breaking glass on the inside of the building.

The young ladies on duty at the Lowell Telephone Exchange, Misses Maude Williamson and Nellie Gray, were informed of the fire, and they at once sounded the alarm. In spite of the fact that the telephone building is located alongside of the Mattern Block and was every minute threatened by the flames, the young ladies remained bravely at their post until they had awakened the entire town. When they left the building, after the firemen had arrived, the smoke was so dense in the exchange that they were barely able to find the exit and were all but overcome by the heat and fumes arising from the fire.

The town fire department did excellent work upon its arrival at the fire, and after a hard fight, succeeded in getting the flames under control. While they were able to prevent a spread of the fire, they were unable to save any of the Mattern Block or its contents, and the building was completely gutted.

The second floor of the building was occupied by Messrs. Savage & Ray, who had just opened a photograph gallery. They had fitted their quarters up in fine shape and everything that they owned was destroyed. They had no insurance whatever, and their loss will be upwards of six hundred dollars. Mrs. Newton's loss will be about eight hundred dollars, which is partially covered by insurance. The damage to the building will amount to about six hundred dollars, which is covered by insurance.

The fact that a severe storm was just coming up at the time, with heavy wind, makes it all the more remarkable that the business part of the town was not wiped out by the flames; and the thanks of the businessmen of Lowell are certainly due the young ladies who awakened the town, and the volunteer firemen who worked so valiantly after their arrival.

Warehouse and Lumber Destroyed

 Marietta Daily Times, April 12, 1924

Blaze Gives Firemen Their Most Stubborn Fight in Years.

Pump Water on Fire All Night.

Property is Fully Insured and Building Will Be Rebuilt.

Fire of unknown origin raged for several hours on Friday evening in the heart of the Marietta Chair Company yards, burning a destructive course through a large storage house that was filled with manufactured lumber. It was one of the most spectacular blazes that have occurred in the city in a number of years. The loss is estimated by the company at $50,000.

The building destroyed was 100 feet long by some 30 feet wide, with a shed running along one side. The structure was two stories in height, and it was filled almost completely with what are known as "squares." These consist of lumber sawed to shape to be used in the manufacture of chairs, and they had been stacked solidly in the storage house to season for use in the factory. The majority of the stock in the building was of oak, although there was one lot of black walnut.

Whole Fire Force Out

Marietta's entire fire fighting equipment was rushed to the scene and the regular men of the department were assisted by volunteer forces, among the latter a number of the Marietta Chair Company employees who have been trained to use the company's own fire prevention equipment. Water for fighting the flames was obtained from the large high-pressure mains that run past the chair factory on Seventh Street, and six strings of hose poured hundred of thousands of gallons into the stubborn blaze. Water in reduced quantities was kept plying on the burning mass until after daylight on Saturday morning.

Workmen in the main plant of the chair factory discovered the fire just before 5 o'clock on Friday afternoon. Superintendent Pirrung was in the factory at the time and as soon as the alarm was sounded had the city department called. In the meantime fire extinguishers and company hose were brought into play but were not capable of coping with the flames.

Employee's Autos Damaged

As nearly as could be told the fire started in the northeast corner of the storage house. Directly in front of that point, the shell had been arranged as a shelter wherein factory men placed their automobiles. Several machines were in the place at the time and three of these were badly damaged, one being almost entirely destroyed.

As the flames swept through the solidly-packed lumber that was stored in the building, they found ready fuel and in less than a quarter of an hour they were rolling into the air to a height of nearly 100 feet, while vast clouds of gray smoke were thrown up. There was not a breath of air stirring and this was most fortunate, as the burning structure was closely surrounded by other buildings and great ricks of lumber. A wind from almost any direction might have caused further disaster.

Crowds Watch Flames

Thousands of people thronged to that section of the city to watch the fire, and the hills that overlook the Goose Run valley gave excellent points of vantage from which to witness the spectacle. Most of the streets in that part of Marietta were clogged with automobiles all during the early evening. The crowds hung about the scene until late in the evening.

S. W. Thurlow, general manager of the company, was absent from the city on Friday, but Col. John Mills, head of the institution, was there, and he with his assistants, Messrs. Pirrung and Hecker, directed operations and looked after the placing of the men who were detailed to assist the department. Agents of the company saw to it that coffee and sandwiches were supplied for the firemen, and these were served by Ensign Phelps of the Salvation Army and by Chief Putnam of the police. These men staid on the job during the evening, then detailed their assistants to follow up the work as the night advanced.

Col. Mills Gets Fall

While two or three of the volunteer firemen were overcome by the smoke and fumes arising from the burning lumber, none of them had any serious trouble. Col. John Mills sustained a fall when he stepped on a loose board as he walked through the lumber yards and suffered painful bruises over his left eye and along the side of his face.

As soon as the location and nature of the fire had been determined, officials of the water works department issued orders to the pump station engineers to speed up their machinery, and this was done with the result that they not only pumped added pressure against the hydrants being used but maintained a full head in the city reservoir all during the evening, thus being ready for any emergency. There are three high pressure mains along Seventh Street directly in front of the scene of the fire, so that there was no chance of water shortage. A 90 pound pressure was maintained until the fire was under control, and this was augmented by the fire department pumper.

It is announced by the Marietta Chair Company that the damaged property was all insured, and as soon as losses are adjusted the work of clearing away the wreckage and replacing the ruined building will be undertaken. Operation of the factory will not be affected.

New Bell Will Sound Alarm

The Register-Leader, January 9, 1907

At a special meeting of the Board of Public Safety held Tuesday evening in the Mayor's office, it was decided to place the fire alarm bell, which will be purchased, in the tower of the City Building, and in probably two weeks, the locations of fires may again be told by the numbers tapped the bell.

Bids for the bell were submitted by four local hardware firms, all on a bell made by the C. S. Bell Co., of Hillsboro, Ohio, and the bid of Seyler Brothers being the lowest, it was accepted, while Levi Cowell, having submitted the lowest bid for placing the bell in position, was given the contract of installing it in the tower.

It will be a steel alloy alarm bell, will be four feet in diameter at the bottom and will weigh about 2,000 pounds.

Before the bell is accepted Messrs. Holst and Kaiser will go to Cincinnati to inspect it and the trip will probably be made the latter part of this week.

The Board expects to have the bell here and erected in the tower in two weeks. The bell will cost $106.00 and the cost of placing it in the tower will be $75, which figures being in accordance with the lowest bids furnished at the meeting Tuesday evening. H. P. Theis, The Union Hardware and M. A Kropp were the other bidders to furnish the bell.

Other business of importance was up for consideration at the meeting, and it was decided to have the fire wagon of the West Side company completely repaired and repainted, the work to be done by J. H. Oesterle, who built the new wagon. While the new work is being done, the old wagon, which was in department No. 1, will be used on the West Side.

In the future, four chemicals will be carried on each wagon instead of two as heretofore and an extra supply of chemicals will be ordered at once.

 

Old Marietta Papers - Number 35

 The Marietta Register, May 27, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

It seems a little singular that with all our advertising, we have been able to obtain only three copies of the Marietta Gazette for the year 1838, but so it is.

The Gazette of Jan. 6, 1838, is before us - edited and published by Isaac Maxon.

Mr. Maxon, if we are not in error, began to work at the printing business in the office of the American Friend, under Royal Prentiss in the year 1822, or perhaps 1823. At any rate, he worked in that office in 1823. For several years, from about 1830 or 1831, to 1837, he published the Spectator at Athens.

He bought the Marietta Gazette of Caleb Emerson about Dec. 1, 1837 - published the paper four years, until near the close of the year 1841, when he sold out, after which only three or four more numbers of the Gazette were published until it was discontinued. Mr. Maxon then quit the printing business. For years past he was engaged in farming, about two miles from Marietta, just east of Duck Creek. This spring he removed to Richland County, Illinois, near Olney, the County Seat.

At the October election in 1838, Washington County voted for Governor - Joseph Vance, Whig, 1384; Wilson Shannon, Democrat, 1264. The total vote was 2643, the largest ever cast in the County to that date - 145 larger than in the year before.

The Gazette of Nov. 3, 1838, notes the escape of Wallace Dodge, formerly of Marietta, from prison in Quebec. He had joined the Canadian Patriots and was taken prisoner the winter before.

Nov. 9, 1838, Slocomb & Buck - William Slocomb and Frederick Buck - advertised their "New Boot and Shoe Store" on Greene Street, connecting with it a Bookbindery.

Nov. 22, 1838, Thursday evening, at about 8-1/2 o'clock, the extensive Carriage Manufactory of Milo Hoadley on the Plain took fire and was, with nearly all the stock, entirely consumed. Loss said to have been about $10,000, with no insurance.

Marriages:

Oct. 18, 1838, John Fletcher [John Fulcher] and Nancy Olive Stanton, of Warren.

Oct. 29th, David Scovill and Rebecca Shears, of Warren.

Nov. 4th, Sereno Hollister and Cynthia Ann Brooks.

Nov. 18th, William H. Stewart and Cynthia A. Morton, both of Harmar.

Died - Nov. 21, 1838, in Fearing, deeply regretted by all his neighbors, Augustus Caesar Tuttle, in his 27th year.

He ceased to breathe at high noon sun!

His race on Earth he then had run.

A man unknown in distant place,

But round his neighborhood a grace.

Retired was he, though good and kind;

To faults in others ever blind.

All - all around him felt distressed;

One pang of grief their hearts impressed

When death did seal his honest fame,

And Justice honored his good name.

Ye who would live in peace and love,

In Tuttle's track be sure to move.

We don't know, but we guess that the late Edward Postlewayt Page communicated the above obituary.

The Gazette of October 30, 1841, still published by Mr. Maxon, is before us. He soon after sold out. This must conclude our notice of the Marietta Gazette.

This brings us down to the time the Intelligencer was started, in August, 1839. How much longer these notes from the "Old Marietta Papers" will be continued we can not tell, but we shall make some notes from the first years of the Intelligencer, beginning next week.

 

Lower Salem in Flames

The Marietta Weekly Leader, July 6, 1886

The Thriving Little Village Almost Annihilated - Loss Fully $30,000!

 

Wednesday morning about one o'clock a fire broke out in the livery stable of Judson Hovey, Lower Salem, which was located on the main street of the village, and before the seemingly angry and fierce element could be subdued, it has destroyed no less than fourteen buildings along Main Street, creating a loss of at least $30,000, and leaving the village in a desolate condition.

A great number of the young men are members of the Salem Rifles and were absent in camp at the time of the fire, or else much of the property destroyed might have been saved. Nevertheless those left at home worked with a will and by almost superhuman efforts saved buildings that seemed on the point of succumbing to the fiery ordeal under which they were placed.

It is thought that the fire was the work of an incendiary.

The losses are as follows, as far as learned by us:

-Lauer & Co., loss $300, fully insured.

-George Lauer, tobacco house, loss $200.

-Mrs. Rees Thomas, store, dwelling, goods, &c., loss $6,000, insurance $3,000.

-George Kilzer, dwelling and contents totally destroyed, loss $2,500, insured for $1,500.

-Charles Haas, shoe shop, tobacco store, millinery stock, loss $3,000, insurance $800.

-George S. Hovey, hotel and contents, loss $5,000, not insured.

-Judson Hovey, two stables, grain, hay, &c., one horse and village hall, Armory of Salem Rifles, loss $5,000, no insurance.

-Doan & Bros., cigars and tobacco, loss $400, no insurance.

-Hazen, grocery, loss $1,000, no insurance.

A lot of gun cartridges belonging to the "Salem Rifles," stored in the cellar of the Armory exploded, creating considerable damage. Also other property in the building was either damaged or destroyed.

This is the greatest calamity that has ever befallen the thriving little village, and it will take a long time for her to recover from her losses.

Gunsmith Shop Burned

The Marietta Intelligencer, April 14, 1858

The Gunsmith shop of A. C. McGirr was destroyed by fire last night about 2 o'clock A.M. The loss is supposed to be near seven hundred dollars. It was probably the work of an incendiary. The shop had been closed, and no fire had been used in the shop during the day. When the fire was discovered the door was partly open and the bar bent. The shop had doubtless been opened by burglars.

*     *     *     *     *   

The Marietta Intelligencer, May 5, 1858

A Card

Mr. Editor: I take this method to thank my numerous friends for their sympathy and "material" aid since the destruction of my Gun-Smith Shop (formerly occupied by E. Pratt) by fire, April 8th, and to inform the public that my new shop, erected on the site of the old one, is now completed. I am now ready to accommodate my old patrons and respectfully solicit those wishing work in my line, done in a neat and substantial manner of Front and Wooster streets, near Wendelken's Steam Grist Mill.

A. C. McGirr

Marietta, Mar. 4, 1858 

[Additional information about Elisha Pratt and Alexander C. McGirr available in the newsletter of Ohio Association of Long Rifle Collectors, Vol. 1, No. 1, August 1979, pp. 10-12: 

http://www.aolrc.com/upload/files/Vol%20I%20No%201%20Aug%201979.pdf]

Improvements in Marietta

Marietta Intelligencer, October 2, 1852

Many new buildings have been erected in Marietta this season, and many others have been enlarged - some by the additions of wings, and quite a number by the addition of a story. Among the latter we notice the School House on Church Street, which has had a very commodious upper story put on and is now one of the finest looking buildings on "the point."

The Marietta Hotel on Ohio Street, kept by Mr. Charles Moseley, has had a third story put up and been otherwise enlarged.

Messrs. Slocomb have put a third story on to their shoe shop on Greene Street, and thus obtained two large and very convenient rooms for the occupancy of an increased number of hands. It is, really, a very great pity that the whole block is not raised another story.

Curtis & Bro. have greatly enlarged their store-room by extending the building back.

Bosworth, Wells & Co. have put up large ware-rooms in the rear of their sales-rooms.

These are but a few of the recent improvements we notice in the neighborhood of our office.

We shall endeavor ere long to ascertain how many new buildings have been erected in the corporation within a year past. We suspect that but few of our citizens realize how rapidly the upper ward is gaining upon "the point" in population and improvements.

There is one thing which we fear is not sufficiently considered by those who are erecting buildings in the more closely settled parts of the town, and that is that the hazard of fire has been enormously increased of late by the erection of frame buildings. Sooner or later our town authorities will be called on to prohibit the erection of frame buildings within a certain distance of other buildings, and not unlikely they may require the removal of some already erected. There are too many places in the first ward where a small frame building, worth from $50 to $200, could hardly be burned without firing a score of valuable business establishments or dwelling houses. Let our citizens think of these things in time.

Fire at Beverly

The Marietta Times, November 23, 1882

Early Friday morning news was received here that our neighboring city of Beverly was in flames, the entire business portion of the town being reduced to ashes. The Defiance engine was at once placed on the Cassell and sent up the river to aid in mastering the fiery element. 

Everybody was in a state of excitement, anxious for news from the scene of devastation and ruin. Reports of the most exaggerated character were told and retold, and it was not until after dinner Friday that the real nature of the calamity was ascertained. The fire, which was bad enough, was not near so extensive as reported. We copy from the Beverly Dispatch the following account of it:

Thursday night we worked rather late in the office, and as is our usual custom before retiring, we went out to see that everything was all right. As soon as we got into the open air we knew there was a smothering fire some place in close proximity, the air being blue with thick smoke caused by burning pine. 

We ran up and down the street and examined the interior of the buildings thoroughly. Not finding the fiery fiend, we ran to Fifth Street, when to our horror we saw great volumes of smoke issuing from D. C. Staley's shoe store. At this moment W. R. Parker's wife gave the alarm which was reechoed by others as they were awakened by the yelling and thumping of the Dispatch men.

The whole interior of the building was enveloped in flames, and it was impossible to enter. Men ran wild and it looked as though a vast conflagration was inevitable. Through the calmness and engineering of some, a line was formed to the river and the water was passed along, assisted by men, women and children alike.

But the destroyer was not going to be smothered in a minute, but swept on and ignited J. T. Palmer's residence and business block and hissed and crackled as though laughing in derision at the heroic efforts of the people to save their property. For awhile it was believed the stores of Oliver Tucker, William Glass, Dr. Parker, Johnston & Shoemaker's marble works and the Star Foundry would go, but thank God, through his goodness the rain began to pour from the skies and the people's property was saved. The property of Mrs. Raredon, which joined Mr. Palmer's, was saved in a damaged state.

The fire is supposed by some to have been incendiarism and was done for plunder, as no lamp or fire in the stove had been left burning when the clerk closed for the night. Mr. Staley's building and stock of boots and shoes was fully covered by insurance. Mr. Palmer was less fortunate and his loss is his all, which is indeed a hard blow to him in his declining years, but he managed to save his household goods. F. Preston, merchant tailor, occupied one of the store rooms, but saved his entire stock. The entire loss will reach about $7,000, partially covered by insurance.

 
  

Building on Front Street Gutted By Fire

The Register Leader, March 30, 1916

Fire of unknown origin threatened destruction to the greater part of the downtown business district this morning, when the Angert estate building, occupied by the Marietta pool room and the Stanley & Grass Furniture Co., at 168-170 Front Street, was gutted, causing a total loss to the building of about $6,000 and several hundred dollars to its contents. A telephone alarm was received at 12:40 o'clock this morning, and within a short time afterwards both fire companies were engaged in battling the flames.

The fire was one of the worst that has visited Marietta in several years. It had secured a good start before the alarm was sent in. Hose lines were laid from the front and rear, and the aerial truck was used to good advantage. There was a slight wind astir and sparks were carried all over the lower part of the city, but no other buildings caught fire.

The blaze originated in an upper floor of the building, the first floor of which is occupied by the pool room of Nemer Loftey. It soon spread through that entire side of the building and burned through the wall to the Stanley and Grass furniture store.

The damage to the Stanley and Grass store was confined to the furniture, etc., which was damaged by smoke and water, and on the third floor, the heat blistered the varnish on nearly all the furniture in that section of the store. Mr. Stanley, this morning, stated that he could not estimate his damage as yet, but it is understood that his loss will amount to several hundred dollars, covered by insurance.

The pool tables and other articles of the Loftey store were ruined, and his loss is partially covered by insurance.

It was nearly five o'clock before the firemen completed the work of extinguishing the fire. It was stated this morning by Mr. Angert that the building probably could not be repaired, as the roof, second and third floors have all caved in, leaving only the front of the building standing.

The Hutchins Cigar Co. building, above the Angert block, was not damaged by the fire.

 
 

Fine Dwelling Burned

The Marietta Republican, October 29, 1858

Yesterday morning about half past 2 o'clock, the large brick dwelling house belonging to Professor Maxwell, but occupied by Rev. George R. Rosseter, on the corner of Fifth and Scammel streets, was discovered to be on fire. Our citizens generally rallied to the scene of the conflagration and the Fire Engines were promptly on the spot, but the progress already made by the flames, and the scarcity of water, made it impossible to prevent the destruction of the entire building, except the walls.

The residence of John O. Cram, Esq., which adjoins the burning building, was saved only by the efforts of the Fire Companies and citizens, as the heat was intense. The loss will probably be $2,000. The house was insured in the Washington County Mutual for $1,500. 

Mr. Rosseter saved most of his furniture and clothing, but lost part of his library. He probably loses $250.

The origin of the fire is unknown.

 

Fire - Baptist Church Burned

Marietta Intelligencer, March 22, 1855

The Church building belonging to the Baptist Society of this place was destroyed by fire this morning. The pulpit, most of the seats, and some of the doors and windows were removed, in a damaged condition.

The fire was discovered about eight o'clock on the roof and in a few moments the entire roof was in a blaze. The walls of the lower story of the building were of stone and were, of course, but little injured. The loss is about $1,000. There was no insurance.

By most diligent efforts the fire was prevented from extending to the frame buildings near - some of them not more than 20 feet distant. We are requested by Mr. L. Brigham to express his hearty thanks to the people for their vigorous and continued exertions to save his property from destruction. His buildings were in imminent danger, but by most resolute efforts, no serious injury was done to them.

Before this fire was extinguished, another alarm was given, occasioned by the discovery of fire on the roof of O.Franks' warehouse, near his foundry. It was extinguished without difficulty.

 

Fireman's Parade

Marietta Intelligencer, September 8, 1852

It is but a short time, we think not more than three or four months, since a Fire company was organized in the upper ward of this corporation, and we were not a little surprised at the "turn out' which it made on Saturday last. We confess that we look upon such a parade as that of Saturday with much greater pleasure than almost any other, for the reason that the services of these men, with their engine, are necessary to the protection of the property of our citizens.

The engine which this company has in charge, though of much less power than the one purchased last year for the 1st Ward, is really a fine one, and if it is kept in good order - as we doubt not it will be by the "Defiance Company" - it will be of great service, and may often entirely stop the progress of fires which would prove very destructive if no engine was nearer than the one in the 1st ward.

The Engine House of this company is near the "Sacra Via." A very good bell has been procured for it, of sufficient size to alarm the people of the upper ward before notice of a fire in that neighborhood could be given in the 1st ward.

The members of the company have adopted a very neat uniform, and we understand have regular and frequent meetings. They have taken hold of the business in the right spirit - with a determination to maintain a thorough organization, to keep up a full company, to have their engine and apparatus always in good working order, and to be always "on hand" when they are needed.

We hope our citizens, and our authorities, will give them substantial "aid and comfort," so that they may not only keep their engine and fixtures in good repair, but purchase such additional hose, buckets, etc. etc. as may from time to time be needed.

We also hope that this demonstration may "provoke to good works" the other fire companies in Marietta and Harmar, and lead to a more thorough and efficient organization of our entire fire department.

We learn that after the parade on Saturday, the members of the "Defiance Company" were addressed by N. Ward, H. A. Towne and Davis Green, Esqrs.

Fire in Harmar

Home News, August 25, 1860

On Thursday afternoon last, a fire broke out on the kitchen roof of Levi Barber's residence in Harmar, which consumed the kitchen and roof of the main building before it was arrested by the energetic exertions of the fire companies and citizens, who were promptly on hand and worked, as usual, with a will. The family were all at the picnic of the Whitney Chapel Sunday School in Williamstown, except a hired girl, who was ironing in the kitchen and did not notice the fire until it had burned through the ceiling over her head. The damage to the building is $800 or $1,000, which is covered by an insurance of $1,500 in the Washington County Mutual. There was no insurance on the furniture, which was all removed in as careful a manner as possible under the circumstances.

Babcock's Fire Engine

Marietta Intelligencer, December 9, 1841

Mr. Joseph B. Babcock is the inventor and patentee of a fire Engine, three different sizes of which he has exhibited in this place. It is well adapted for the use of private dwellings and small towns, as well as large cities, as it is much more easily worked than the old fashioned engines, and requires less attention to keep it in order.

We saw a small one in operation at the Court House a short time since, which worked by only two persons, threw water over the chimneys of that building. This Engine occupied about the space of an ordinary travelling trunk. The largest of the three heretofore built by Mr. Babcock when placed in the middle of the street threw a hogshead of water per minute ten feet above the cupola of the exchange in Harmar - a three story building with a high basement.

Fire Destroys Marietta Country Club

The Marietta Daily Times, June 12, 1933

Fire believed to have originated in the men's locker room completely destroyed the club house of the Marietta Country Club, inflicting a loss, the exact monetary size of which may be difficult to estimate. The fire occurred late Sunday afternoon, having been discovered at 6:15 o'clock. Within an hours the building and the attendant structures were a mass of ruins.

Light gray smoke from the fire clouded the sky north of Marietta and attracted large crowds. Hundreds of motorists drove to the scene and highways in all directions were congested during the early evening. Equipment from the Marietta fire department was sent to the scene but no water supply was available.

Members Present

Members of the club were present when the fire was discovered. Golf players who had spent the afternoon on the club course had been using the locker rooms and the last of them had left that part of the building, and family parties were forming in the dining rooms when some one shouted fire. A few of the men entered the locker rooms and found it a roaring mass of flames. They saved scattered bits of clothing and some of their personal effects, but the oncoming flames drove them down the stairs.

The few minutes' time that intervened between discovery of the fire and the breaking through of the flames into the main floor of the building permitted members and others from the neighborhood to carry out most of the furnishings in the main hall. Employees of the club had time to save much of the dining room and kitchen equipment.

Water Tank Burns

So intense was the heat from the burning building that the flames were communicated to the elevated water tank on the northeast corner of the main structure and to the maple trees that surrounded the building. Many of the trees, weakened by a cyclone a few years ago, proved ready fuel for the fire and were destroyed.

Men who have been officers of the club in recent years gathered about the burning building and discussed the loss of their property. They declined to place definite estimates on the loss. They said that the property was insured on a schedule fixed by approved appraisal engineers and total coverage on building and contents amounted to $10,900.

The Marietta Country Club was formed more than a third of a century ago. It is located on the Devol and Chamberlain farms in the Devol's Dam neighborhood. The club house was situated originally in the heart of a grove overlooking a stretch of the Muskingum Valley. A large part of the grove was destroyed by a cyclone that swept the valley a few years ago.

Built in 1900

The club house was built in the late summer and fall of 1900 and was occupied in the year 1901, according to Gordon Devol, one of the owners of the site. The club had remained in constant operation since that time. It has been one of the social centers of the Marietta territory for a third of a century.

The club has maintained and supported a nine-hole golf course and many Marietta golfers have had their training there. It is the home course of the new Central Ohio champion, Max Devol, and his home is only a few hundred yards from the site of the burned club house. He is one of the owners of the ground occupied by the club.

 

Fire

The Marietta Intelligencer, April 8, 1858

The Gun Smith shop of A. C. McGirr was destroyed by fire last night about 2 o'clock a.m.  The loss is supposed to be near seven hundred dollars.  It was, probably, the work of an incendiary.  The shop had been closed, and no fire had been used in the shop during the day.  When the fire was discovered the door was partly open and the bar bent.  The Shop had, doubtless, been opened by burglars.

Accident

The Marietta Intelligencer, January 13, 1859

The second daughter of Prof. E. B. Andrews, a little girl of about five years, was severely burned this morning by her clothes taking fire.  She had locked herself in a room, and, as is supposed, in playing with the fire, her clothes ignited.  Her screams aroused the family, but as two doors were locked, the room could be entered only by a very circuitous route.  Before anyone gained access to it, she had unlocked a door and gone out, and was found out doors.  The burns are on her back and shoulders, and quite severe.

Another Destructive Fire

The Marietta Intelligencer, June 30, 1859

Last night about twelve o'clock a fire broke out in Henry Gerken's store, on the island, and communicating to those adjoining, spread so rapidly that all the buildings on Front Street to the bridge below were burned to the ground.  The brick wall of H. Weber's Clothing store prevented the flames from extending farther up the street, which circumstance doubtless saved all the tenements on the island in that direction.  Fortunately there had been a shower yesterday afternoon, and the neighboring roofs were wet; had they been dry, it is possible that the fire might have been carried across the canal by the flying cinders.  There was some delay in getting the engines on the spot, but our citizens labored manfully to save what they could, as they always do on such occasions. 

We present a statement of individual losses, which is as nearly correct as could be obtained this morning, from the parties themselves.

Losses By Fire.

Styers & Brockmeier's building, occupied by Kahleyss, Brockmeier, and Peters, $2,800; covered by insurance, $1,800.

William Kahleyss, $2,000; covered by insurance, $2,000.

Mrs. Brockmeier, unknown.

George Peters, about $700; insurance, $200.

Van Bergen & Co., $2,500; insurance, $1,400.

H. Gerken, total loss of house, goods, books and papers, not less than, $3,000; no insurance.

P. Theis, $600; stock saved, no insurance.

Biszantz & Bro., $6,000; insurance, $2,000.

The following are the losses otherwise than by fire, goods damaged by water, &c:  

J. Fisher & Bro., $200; insured.

H. Weber, $150.

P. Haberling, $400.

The total loss is about $18,000, of which $8,000 is covered by insurance.

There was considerable petty pilfering going on during the fire.  We can think of no punishment too severe for these low rascals who take advantage of another's misfortune to rob him.  

We have heard of accidents happening to several  persons.  H. Gerken's family had so little time to escape that they were obliged to leap from a high window in scanty clothing to save themselves. 

Fire - Baptist Church Burned

Marietta Intelligencer, March 28, 1855

Thursday Evening, Mar. 22, 1855 - The Church building belonging to the Baptist Society of this place was destroyed by fire this morning.  The pulpit, most of the seats, and some of the doors and windows were removed in a damaged condition.

The fire was discovered about eight o'clock on the roof, and in a few moments the entire roof was in a blaze.  The walls of the lower story of the building were of stone, and were of course, but little injured.  The loss is about $1,000.  There was no insurance.

By most diligent efforts the fire was prevented from extending to the frame buildings near - some of them not more than 20 feet distant.  We are requested by Mr. L. Brigham to express his hearty thanks to the people for their vigorous and continued exertions to save his property from destruction.  His buildings were in imminent danger, but by most resolute efforts, no serious injury was done to them.

Before this fire was extinguished, another alarm was given, occasioned by the discovery of fire on the roof of O. Franks' warehouse, near his foundry.  It was extinguished without difficulty.

 

Fire Fighter of Ye Old Days Is No More

Marietta Daily Journal, January 10, 1917

The Niagara, replica of Marietta's old fire fighting days, which has lain idle at the West Side Fire House for several years, has finally been cast aside.  The old engine was no longer of any use in the protection of the city against the fire evil, and so had to make room for more up to date apparatus.

During the shadows of Tuesday night, the firemen of the city department hauled the old machine out of its "stall" and to the shop of a local junk dealer, where it was disposed of for a sum of about $150.  All that was saved of this replica of other days was the large brass plates that bore the name of the engine and the date of its purchase.

The Niagara, it will be remembered, was purchased by the town of Harmar about the year 1870, and for years had been stationed at the West Side station.  During the many years of service that it experienced, the engine was manned by the "old guard" on Harmar's fighting force, and answered scores of alarms.  When the newer horse drawn fire apparatus was purchased the old steam engine was laid aside.

The engine would have been sold long ago but for the request of a number of the older residents that it be kept as a replica of the good old days.  But now, with the installation of the new motor apparatus, and the removal of the West Side department into their new home, there is no vacant room for the old fire fighting machine, hence its disposal.