SUPPLIES.

A BRIEF ACCOUNT

OF THE

FIRE IN THE TOWN OF PORTLAND,

SATURDAY MORNING, 20TH OCTOBER, 1877.

Just four months after the great calamity in St. John, the people of the Town of Portland were called upon to endure a hardship of almost equal dimensions. In one sense their endurance demanded even greater strength, for their trouble came, not in summer when the grass was green, and the air was soft and balmy, but in the very heart of a New Brunswick Fall, when the wind pierced the coarsest garment, and the ground was white with frost. It was in the small hours of the morning too, that men and women, half asleep and palsied by terror, rushed wildly into the street, shivering with cold and trembling with fear, as they heard the mad bell tolling the alarm. They lived in the merest tinder boxes, and in many of these were domiciled three, and sometimes four and five families. It was a fire of terrible importance, and at one time the destruction of the whole town was feared. But

the lesson which the fire of June 20th taught had a salutary effect on the people, and, aided by a brave band of firemen, they made every effort to stay the onward march of the flames, and in this, success was partly attained. The fire destroyed seven blocks of buildings, and threw into the street two hundred and ninety-five families, which numbered, in the aggregate, fully three thousand persons. Of buildings swept away, there were ninety-seven dwelling houses, the Methodist Church and the Temperance Hall. The actual loss is estimated at two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and the insurance scarcely reaches the sum of seventy thousand dollars. One man suffered a horrible death, and a number of people were injured more or less seriously. The fire was indeed a sore and bitter trial, and had it not been that the community had only a short time before experienced the horrors of the greater conflagration, the present calamity would have ranked as one of the great fires of Canada. Coming so soon after the St. John's scourge, men failed to realize at once the magnitude of destruction which it caused. But those who had twice passed through the flames knew to their cost, and realized in an instant, what it was to be burned out a second time. Seven hundred persons from the burnt district of St. John's had taken up their residence in the suburban town. They were in most cases poor in a pecuniary sense, but their bands were strong, and their hearts were not downcast. The flames had carried away all their earthly possessions, and they found

themselves the day after the fire comparatively penniless. But there was work to do, and these men and women sternly resolved to do it. They removed to Portland, secured quarters there, and had just completed their arrangements for the winter, when this fresh trouble broke out, and once more they found themselves, with twenty-three hundred others, in the street without a home, and no sheltering roof over their heads. Their lot was indeed a sad one, and no wonder is it, that some of them were loud in complaint, and that many, women walked down from Fort Home that day, and wept bitterly at the heartrending sight which met their eyes. They saw desolation on the plain below, and tall chimneys kept watch and ward over a field of smouldering embers. The steam engines still continued to play on the dying flames, though the sixth hour of the fire had long since passed away, and men in command hurried along the streets now giving orders, and now working with the rank and file, striving to save what remnants of property yet remained unburned, and caring for the immediate needs of sufferers.

The fire broke out at a quarter to three o'clock in the morning, and originated in a wood-house in the centre of the block, between Main and High Streets. This wood-house was in the rear of Henry Pratt's house, and as fire had been discovered in this locality, twice recently, many believed that it was the fiendish work of an incendiary. The fire spread with great rapidity, though there was little wind at the time, and by three o'clock the entire block,

Main Street on the north, Chapel Street on the south, Acadia Street on the east, and Portland Street on the west was one mass of flame. In another hour the fire raged more violently, and was extending to the lower streets. The firemen, who were early on the spot, worked with untiring energy, and displayed almost superhuman endurance and wonderful courage. Aid from the city came very soon after the fire was observed, and the new contingent also worked with admirable nerve, and exhibited splendid skill in preventing the conflagration from spreading. Members of the Town Council, with Chairman Henry Hilyard at their head, made extraordinary efforts to keep the flames back, and indeed the whole arrangements for fighting the fire were excellently conceived and well carried out.

At five o'clock the fire had reached its height. The blocks from Main Street to High Street, inclusive, were completely obliterated, and only gaunt chimneys remained. From High Street to the very water's edge the flames sped on unresisted. Camden Street was burning, the large houses on the foot of Portland Street, the houses from Temperance Hall, in Simonds Street to Thomson's slip were consumed. Rankin's wharf with immense piles of dressed lumber was threatened with immediate extinction. The steamers "Ida Whittier," "Xyphus," and "Victor," were for a time in danger. Three tug boats arrived opportunely, and the water which they threw saved the wharf and lumber. At half-past eight the fire was subdued.

The property destroyed consisted of all the houses in Main Street between Jones's corner and Orange corner; all on Chapel Street, all on Acadia Street except a small block and the greater part of Chapel Street; all along the east side and part of the west side of Portland Street, the east side of Simonds Street from High Street to the water, and both sides of Camden Street. Of course a great deal of drunkenness prevailed and numerous arrests were made. Thieving, as usual, was largely indulged in.

The saddest event of the day was the loss of life. George Baxter, a ship carpenter, who dwelt in High street, was found in a charred state in the ruins of his house. It is thought he went in to save some of his effects, and being unable to make his way out again he was smitten to the ground and suffered one of the most terrible of deaths. The other casualties were John Henry Maher, slightly injured, James Ennis badly cut on the head. Nicholas Ryan fell off Dickinson's house, Chapel Street, and sustained serious bruises. Mrs. Reed was struck by a falling ladder. John Cobalan, jr., had one of his fingers broken, and Mrs. Nowlan was slightly hurt. Wm. Carr and James Kennedy were injured slightly.

The destruction of the Methodist Church is a very serious loss. It was built in the year 1841, and succeeded the structure built in 1828, which was destroyed in the former year. The first trustees were Alex. McLeod, Samuel H. McKee, George Whittaker, William Nesbit, H. Hennigar, Robert Chestnut, Robert Robertson, G. T. Ray,

John B. Gaynor, George Lockhart, James Bustin, John Owens and Francis Jordan, Rev. Messrs. R. Williams, J. B. Story, and S. Busby were strong supporters of the church in its young days and were long identified with its interests. On the first Sunday after the fire of 1841 the congregation met in the open air and prayed and sang hymns. The Rev. Mr. Allen addressed the people from a rock. Rev. Mr. Teed was the pastor at the time of the present fire. When he came to preside over its destinies he found the church struggling with a debt, and he worked with great zeal to free it from this burden.

The Temperance Hall was one of the most useful institutions in the town, and many will deplore the destruction of this building.

The following is a complete list of the buildings burned. The first name mentioned in each case is that of the owner, the other, that of the occupants:—

Main street, south side, from Acadia street to Portland Street.—Mr. Woods, occupied by self as a boarding house, and by R. Jones as a grocery store—two families.

Andrew Pratt, by self as a dwelling; Miss Pratt as millinery store; Henry Pratt, as dwelling; and by Mr. Hopkins as a book store—4.

Chas. Long, James Meally, tin shop; Robt. Adamson, and John W. Perkins—3.

Wm. Gray, by self, Gray & Scott, meat store; Mrs. Cotner—4.

Widow Gordon, by self as a grocery store and dwelling—1.

Widow McJunkin, by self as a boarding house, and by Robert C. Gordon, as a liquor store, and by John S. Mitchell—3.

John Bradley, by A. G. Kearns, as a grocery and liquor store—1.

Thos. McColgan, by T. M. & S. B. Corbett, groceries; Thos. McMasters, hair-dressing saloon; John Carlin, S. R. Lindsay, Wm. Hooper, Messrs. Kyle & Tait—7.

Portland street, east side, from Chapel to Main street.—Thomas McColgan, by self as a liquor store; Edward Brown, Joshua Russel—3.

Chapel street, north side, east from the Pond to Portland street.—Wm. Dickson's house (damaged), by self, Robert Currie, Widow McAnulty, Arthur McCauslin—4.

Widow Farson, by self, Wm. Conway, Widow Gallagher, Geo. Kimball, Daniel Leary, John Mohan, Jas. Daley, Mrs. Daley, Mrs. Knowles, Chase & McCallum—11.

Charles Long, by self, John Law—2.

Barn belonging to Wm. Gray.

Barn belonging to Robt. Gordon.

Barn belonging to John McJunkin estate.

Barn belonging to John Bradley.

Chapel street, south side, from Portland street east to Water.—Miss Mary Long, by Mrs. McArthur, Mr. Appleby and Mrs. Gorral—3.

Chas. Long, by self and son as grocery and dwelling; Chas. Colwell, Alex. Long, Abraham Craig—5.

Mrs. Nancy Lackey, by Local Preacher Oram, Miss McJunkin, John McJunkin—3.

Joseph Reed, by Samuel Baker, Frank Crawford—2.

Barn belonging to Sarah Irvine.

Arthur Rodgers, by self, Mrs. Clancey, Arthur Desmond and Mr. Long—4.

Widow Sullivan, by Thos. Sullivan—1.

John Damary, by self and Thos. Damary—2.

John Corrigan, by self—1.

Thos. Currie, by self and John Quinn—2.

Wm. King's house, damaged considerably.

Acadia street, east side, from High street to Main street.—Mrs. Sarah Irvine, occupied by self, Thomas Kerr, Nancy Irvine, Messrs. Campbell & Hartt—5.

Geo. McMonagle, by self as a grocery and dwelling; Widow Nelson, William McGuire, John McGuire, David Smith—5.

Mrs. Farson, by Mrs. Gallaher, Mrs. McCacherin—2.

Geo. McMonagle, by Thomas Sharp and Patrick Bogan—2.

Alex. Duff (house damaged considerably), by Thomas McGill and Henry McCarthy—2.

Acadia street, west side, from High to Main street.—Joseph Reed, by self, Andrew Crawford, Wm. McConnell, Mrs. Wark—4.

Widow Farson, by self as grocery and liquor shop and dwelling; Jeremiah Sullivan, James Brown, David McBurney, Jeremiah Speight, widow Marley—6.

Portland street, east side, from High street to Main street.—John Connolly, by Messrs. Smith, as a grocery store, Capt. Rawlings, of the Portland Police, and by David Speight, as a boarding house—3.

Methodist Parsonage, occupied by Rev. Mr. Teed, Pastor of the Portland Methodist Church—1.

[The houses of Mr. McColgan are mentioned in connection with buildings on Main and Chapel streets.]

High street, north side, from Portland street east to water.—John Brooks, by George Wetmore, Wm. C. Dunham—2.

Thomas Polly, by self, John Alcorn, John Humphreys—3.

George Smith (brick cottage), by self and Robert Smith—2.

George Ruddock, by self and George Brown—2.

Widow Ruddock, by Mr. Ellis—1.

Andrew Myles, by self, Messrs. Porter and Rogers—3.

Edward Sergeant, by self and Mr. Stantiford—2.

George Young, by self and Mrs. Upham—2.

Robert Ewing, by self, Walter Brown, R. A. H. Morrow—3.

Edward Elliot, by Geo. Jenkins, John Green, Frank Wallace—3.

Capt. Aubrey, by self and Mr. Reed—2.

Edward Elliott, by self and Mr. McAllister—2.

Portland street from Rankin's wharf to Camden street.—Alex. -- Ferguson, by self, Captain Buckhard, and Wm. Sleeth.

Hugh Montague, Robert and Joseph Carson—3.

John Irvine, by self and Widow Craig.

John McCachney, by self, mother and Jas. McCachney.

Geo. Carter, by self, Joseph Murphy, Geo. Carter, Jr.—3.

T. Travis, by self, as grocery and liquor store and dwelling. August Mavison, Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Riley and another—5.

Camden street, south side, from Portland street to Acadia street.—James Bartlett, by self, Henry Bartlett, Archibald Tatton, Capt. Bartlett, James Tubman—5.

John McJunkin, by self, Capt. Charles Harper, Harry Bassett—3.

Arthur Kyle, by self, John Cunningham, John O'Connell, Mr. Rebels, Mrs. McDormott, William, John Hammond—6.

Acadia street, from Camden South to water.—Daniel O'Hara, by self, and Chas. Hara—2.

Patrick Dawson, by self, Peter Nelson, and a family from the City burnt district—3.

Mrs. Hamilton, by self—1.

Wm. Carter, by self—1.

Portland street, west side, from Camden to High street.—Wm. McIntyre, by self, Geo. Giggy, Geo. Morgan, James Power, Harry Stephens, Wm. Gillan, and a family from the City burnt district—7. [In rear house belonging to David Breen, occupied by self and N. Frizzle.]

Thomas McMasters, by self, John Boyd, Widow McJunkin, James Ryder, Messrs. Mullay, Brown and Christopher—7.

Widow Kerr, by self—1. [Mr. Murdock's house in rear, by one tenant—1.]

Wm. A. Moore, occupied by self as a dwelling, John Currie, groceries; James Pender, Joseph McIntyre, the Misses Darrah—5.

Portland street, east side, from Camden to High street.—Richard Anderson, by self and Samuel Devennie—2.

Richard Anderson, by William Hill, as a grocery store and dwelling; John Rubins, tailor shop, James McCord—4.

Robert McIntyre, by Bernard Gallagher, dwelling and grocery store, Samuel ——rett, Richard McIntyre—3.

Robert McIntyre, by self, Ike Munroe, Oliver Colwell, Robert Black, Ca—— ——rrington—5.

Wm. McIntyre, by Wm. Maxwell and Robert McMurray—2.

Wm. McIntyre, by Jacob Brown, Misses Sharp, Duke Brown, Geo. DeLong, Levi DeLong—5. [House in rear occupied by Joseph Lee and John Mullay—2.]

Benj. Lawton, by self and brother—2.

Camden street, north side, from Simonds east to water.—Thos. W. Peters, by Thomas Mansfield, as a dwelling and a grocery store, John Nowlin, Jeremiah Sullivan and two others—5.

Thos. W. Peters, by Mr. Leonard and Edward Cutten—2.

John Higgins, by self—1.

George Grear, by self, John Ross, John Cooper, Mr. McLean—4.

Richard Anderson, by Harry Laskey, John Thompson, Miss Osborne—3.

Widow Wilson, by self, H. Brockings, Widow Bailey—4. [Unoccupied house in rear.]

Stephen Murphy, by self, Messrs. Hamilton, Ralston and Hoolahan—4.

Acadia street, west side, from Camden to High street.—Wm. Searle, by Hugh Hutchinson, Wm. Bell—2.

James Bartlett, by David Doherty, Mr. Fitzgerald—2.

Robt. McKay, by self, Messrs. Irvine and Munroe—3.

Mr. Reed, by Thomas Graham and another—2. [Rear house owned by Mr. Reed.]

Thomas Youngclaus, by Messrs. Stayhorn, Kirk and Beaton—3.

James Kyle, by self and Mr. McGee—2.

Widow Ruddock, by self and a family whose name could not be learned—2.

Wm. Elliott, by self, James Smith and John Devennie—3.

Acadia street, east side, from Camden street to High street.—John H. Crawford, by self, as a grocery and dwelling—1.

Thomas Gillespie, by Mr. Tait, Joseph Allen, Widow Garvey and Widow Boyne—4.

High street, south side, westward from water.—John McDermott, by self, Patrick Carlin and Thomas Smith—3.

Miss Daley, by Wm. Peacock, Widow Knodell and Joseph Speight—3.

George Baxter, by self as dwelling and grocery store; and by Mr. Dunham—1.

Geo. Baxter, by Messrs. Wilson, and Kirk and another—3.

Widow Young, by self, Wm. Young, and George Easty—3.

Patrick Flynn, by Messrs. Stack and Thompson Kennedy, and Widow Logan—3.

James Scott, by self, and James Barbour—2.

Joseph Sullivan, by self—1.

Joseph Logan, by self, Widow Buchanan, Widow McDermott—3.

Temperance Hall, owned by Governor Tilley, J. C. Edwards, and Portland Division, S. of T.

Simonds street, east side, from High street to water.—Andrew Johnston's house, occupied by four families—1.

Paul Gillespie, by John Buckley, James Gillespie, and Mr. Akerley—2.

Widow, by self, James Spence, and Charles Brown, and two others—5.

Widow Crawford, by self, as dwelling and grocery shop, and by James Buckley—2.

Alex. Urquhart, by self—1.

Thos. W. Peters, by Widow Morrison, John Morrison and Mrs. Wilson—3.