FIRE AT TRUXTON, NEW YORK

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, February 3, 1888.

FIRE IN TRUXTON.

The Stearn’s House and Other Buildings Destroyed—Loss About $12,000.

   The most destructive fire ever known in the history of Truxton occurred in that place last Monday night. At about 11 o'clock flames were seen issuing from the bar room of the Stearns House and in a short time the whole building was wrapped in flames. The fire communicated to a dwelling house on the south owned by Mrs. Pierce, which was entirely destroyed, as was the two-story block adjacent to the hotel on the east. This block was owned by Mrs. Gray who had her living rooms on the second floor, while the first was occupied by Willis Pierce as a grocery.

   The particulars of the fire as gathered by a DEMOCRAT reporter who visited the place early Tuesday morning, are as follows:

   About 11 o'clock an employee of the house retired to his room for the night and was surprised on entering to find it full of smoke. He descended to the sitting room and gave the alarm to Mr. Mack the proprietor, who had been entertaining some friends during the evening and was now nearly ready to retire. Search was at once begun and as Mr. Mack opened the bar room door a sheet of fire burst through the door and at once ignited the room. The guests and servants were aroused and by hurrying as fast as they were able, made their escape in safety.

   Mrs. Mack who is in feeble health, was somewhat delayed in dressing and was obliged to make her exit through the window. Mr. Mack succeeded in saving his cabinet organ and one suit of clothes. The remainder of his and Mrs. Mack's clothing were entirely destroyed.

   There was also in the house belonging to him several barrels of liquors, about 6,000 cigars and a large quantity of provisions, canned goods, etc, all of which were burned. Mr. Mack estimates his personal loss at $1,000 on which there is $500 insurance.

   The Stearns house had recently been purchased by Mr. Reuben R. Stewart and he was to have taken possession last Tuesday. The hotel had been insured for $3,000 by Mr. Stewart when he purchased it, but we understand this insurance had been assigned to F. H. Cody of Oneida Castle, who held a mortgage upon the house. Lewis Bros. of New York city, had recently attached one half the furniture in the hotel to secure them for a debt of $207 which had been contracted by Arvin Hazzard when he was proprietor of the house.

   Mr. Chauncey Webster holds a mortgage for $300 on the other half, also given by Hazzard. As the furniture was not insured these gentlemen lose the amount of their claims. The total loss to all parties on the hotel will probably foot up to about $4,000 over and above the insurance.

   Mrs. Pierce, who resided in the house south of the hotel, succeeded in saving most of her goods though in a damaged condition. Her loss on the house and barn is about $1,200, on which she has $600 insurance.

   Nothing was saved from Mrs. Gray's block of any value. Her loss is about $2,500 on the building which is insured for $1500 by Theo. Stevenson of this place. Her furniture and stock of provisions which are entirely burned will add about $300 to the loss on the building. Willis Pierce who kept the grocery on the first floor saved nothing of amount from his stock, valued at nearly $1,000 and which is a total loss.

   The origin of the fire is a matter of speculation even with those who ought to know the best. A boarder at Mrs. Gray's says that when he first saw the fire it was in a room outside the bar room in which there has been no fire this winter. Mr. Mack also states that the center of the fire seemed to be in this liquor room. Others and they are probably a majority express the opinion that it caught from the stove in the barroom.

   Fires like that from which Truxton has suffered point out clearly the fact that every village ought to have some kind of an apparatus with which to work should a fire occur. Had there been such apparatus at Truxton the damage would probably have been confined to the hotel, but the citizens were powerless to stay the flames. Had the high winds of last week been prevailing at the time the entire street from the hotel to the cemetery must have been burned. As it now stands the people of Truxton are to be congratulated that they did not suffer more serious damage.

Horse Omnibus.

Horse Rail Car.

The Blizzard.

   The oldest citizen whose memory is always proverbial does not remember such a blizzard as the one that arrived in town last Thursday morning fresh from Manitoba. Business during the latter part of the week was almost suspended and the streets usually so well filled were nearly deserted.

   The E. C. & N. R. R. was blockaded so effectually that all trains on Friday and Saturday were abandoned. Sunday morning nine engines were attached to the snow plow and by dint of great exertion a way was at last broken through the drifts.

   On the D. L. & W. the snow plow was run constantly and trains were kept moving through, from two to six hours late. The street cars were run in the corporation but made the trip from the stables to Homer in busses [sic] on account of the drifts on the track.

   The Cincinnatus mail left here on Wednesday and did not return that week. The Virgil stage came through on Friday and then took a vacation till the clerk of the weather should see fit to change the programme for Cortland county.

   Reports from the surrounding country are to the effect that the roads have not been in so bad a condition for years. They are, however, being rapidly broken [through] and will soon be again in good order. Trains are now running on schedule time and business has fallen into its accustomed channels. We trust they will not be interrupted again this winter.

AUCTION.

   Having sold his farm Mr. L M. Pudney will sell on the premises four miles west of Homer and three miles east of Summerhill on the turnpike road on Saturday February 4th, commencing at 10 A. M., seven good dairy cows, 1 bay mare 10 years old, 1 chestnut mare 10 years old, with foal, 2 young farrow cows, 1 yearling heifer, 1 yearling colt, 2 shoats, 3 geese, 40 hens, 1 No. 8 Osborne reaper, 1 lumber wagon, 1 platform wagon, 1 top buggy, 2 cutters, 1 pair heavy bobs, harnesses, and other farm and dairy tools too numerous to mention. Sums of $10 and under cash down; over that amount a credit of eight months on approved paper.

   On Thursday February 9th, Mr. William E. Taylor, executor of the estate of Chas. C. Taylor deceased, will sell at auction on the Taylor farm 3 1/2 miles west of Cortland on the McLean road, commencing at 10 A. M., 11 choice Jersey cows. 1 two year-old bull, half Jersey and half Guernsey, 2 choice yearling Jersey heifers, 3 sheep, 1 fine Hambletonian colt, 2 years old, two shoats, 1 fanning mill, a lot of milk pans, 1 two-horse lumber wagon, 1 light spring wagon, 50 sap buckets, and other farming utensils too numerous to mention. Sums of $10 and under cash down; over that amount a credit at ten months on approved endorsed notes, payable at the Second National bank of Cortland.

   On Saturday February 11, commencing at 11 A. M., Jas. Colwell will sell on his premises one mile north of Virgil on the Cortland road. 10 cows, 2 calves, 8 sheep, 1 Star gelding, 6 years old, 1 Wonder mare, 5 years old, 1 Wonder stallion, 4 years old, 1 churn power and churn, 1 pair bobs, a quantity of hay and straw, 1 mowing machine. Sums of $10 and under cash down; over that amount nine months credit on approved notes.

Silsby Steam Fire Engine.

HERE AND THERE.

   Messrs. Collins & Daehler are to make the full dress uniform for the Patriarchs Militant [for Canton Fair in Cortland, International Order of Odd Fellows--CC editor].

   A meeting of the C. L. A. will be held at the residence of Mrs. H. W. Beal, 69 Main street, Feb. 7th at 4 P. M.

   Venus, the morning star, is brighter than it has ever been to any man now living, and nearer the earth than it will be again for [120] years.

   The bill to prohibit the sale of liquor within 200 feet of any county fair ground place, passed the Assembly last week by a vote of 69 to 23.

   Miss Sarah Collins, of this place, spoke at the Presbyterian church at Marathon, on Thursday evening, on the “Education of the Freedmen at Hampton, Va.”

   A chicken dispute between Cortland and Homer birds came off in Marathon, last Thursday evening, for a purse of $50. Six battles were fought, the Homer birds winning four.

   At their meeting held in Homer, on Monday last, the Prohibitionists of this county decided to place full tickets in the field in every town in the county, on town meeting day.

   An extra session of the Board of Supervisors has been called by the clerk for February 8th, to provide a suitable place for a drill-room and armory for the 45th Separate Company.

   The Republican club has rented the rooms over the central store in the Wickwire block on Railroad street, for their headquarters for the coming year. They will be ready for occupancy in March.

   The Silsby engine, which has been in Seneca Falls for several weeks past, undergoing repairs, arrived in town last Thursday and was tested the same evening. It was pronounced as good as new by the authorities.

   The meeting of the Anti-Thieving Association, which was to be held at the Cortland House last Thursday, was deferred on account of the severe storm and the impassable condition of the roads. Another meeting will be held as soon as due notice can be given.

   Last Friday morning Mrs. J. S. Barber handed the building committee of Grace church her check for $87.00, to balance the debt incurred in the construction of that edifice. Grace church is now free from all encumbrance, and will probably be dedicated soon after Easter.

   The milk train on the S. & B. R. R. seems to be an assured fact. Arrangements are being made for depots at Chenango Forks, Whitney's Point, Lisle, State Bridge, Cortland and Tully. A new building is in process of erection near the depot at Whitney's Point. G. H. Lattlewood will handle the milk in Lisle, and W. B. Stoppard is to be the Cortland manager.—Lisle Gleaner.

   We learn that negotiations are now pending between Wickwire Bros., and the W. C. T. U. for the rental of one of the rooms in their new block on Railroad St. The room will be on the second floor and run the entire depth of the building. In addition to the reading and dining room, there will also be a gymnasium established if sufficient encouragement should be given to make it desirable. The efforts that are [being made] by the ladies of the Union to provide places of resort for the boys of the town is worthy of the cordial support of our citizens, and they should see that this project is not allowed to fail.

 

Recommended:

1) Big Fire (1904) in Truxton: http://jeffpaine.blogspot.com/2013/05/big-fire-in-truxton.html

2) Silsby Steam Fire Engine: http://www.firehistory.blogspot.com/2006/05/silsby-steam-fire-engine.html