Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1891 — A BIG BLAZE. [ARTICLE]

A BIG BLAZE.

Immense Damage by Flames at Muskegon. Blocks of Buildings Swept Away and a _ Half Million of Dollars Go Up In Smoke. Muskegon, Mich., suffered a second visitation from the flames on the 16th. The fire started at i:3Q p. m. In the Hamlin Hofei barns, just off Pine street, from some unknown cause, and, aided by a strong wind, swept with lightning-like>s,rapidity ten blocks up Pine street, one of the chief business streets of the city. Then, by a Shdden shift in the wind, the flames were driven toward Terrace avenue, one of the finest residence streets in the ciiy, where they swept unchecked to Evergreen Cemetery. By 9 o’clock the fire had reached the southern district of the city, where there was more space between the houses, and the firemen succeeded in considerably reducing the further progress of the flames. As the high buildings burned there was great danger from flying firebrands, and the firemen were obliged to continually shift their positions. Two Grand Rapids engines were put to work as soon as they arrived. Twenty blocks of business houses and dwellings are in smoldering ruins. The total number of dwellings burned may safely be put at 350. A conservative estimate of the total loss is $500,000. Many of the burned places have no insurance. Hundreds of families are thrust upon their friends for accommodations.

The SIOO,OOO court-house was gutted, but its public documents were saved. The psi9ouers in the county jail, which occupied the basement of the court-house,were liberated. Several cows and horses were burned, and a little child who was sleeping in the Launkewell barns, where the fire started, is missing. J udge Dickermah lost nearly his entire law library in the court-house. Frequent reports from exploding boilers were heard. Dynamite was used in some instances to clear buildings.

Among the sad incidents connected with the fire was the death of Harry Stevens, assistant postmaster, and son of Postmaster Stevens. He was very ill with pneu monia, and the flames made it necessary to remove him to a place of safety. lie died amid the crash ot falling houses while being removed.