1859—West Division Fire

The Press and Tribune, September 16, 1859

One of the most disastrous conflagrations that has ever visited our city, occurred last night on the West Side, which, while we write, at 12 M. is still burning fiercely and extending its ravages north and west.

Up to the present time an immense amount of property has been destroyed. which cannot fall below the figure named, and may exceed that sum from present appearances, unless the Fire Department succeed in checking the flames.

The fire broke out about 3.30 P. M., in a frame stable on Canal street, near the corner of Lake street, owned and occupied by T. Mehring & Co., Ice dealers. A high wind was blowing at the time from the south-east, and the flames were swept into the heart of the block which was occupied by high piled stacks of lamber, timber, &c., and also by very closely ranged wooden buildings, sheds, outhouses’ workshops, &c. By such material fed before tbe Fire Department had got well at work an immense volume of heat and flame was being driven north and west, which swept every thing in its course along the Lake street street and Canal street fronts. The latter were mostly small buildings of little value, the former were chiefly one and two story structures, and occupied by saloons, small stores, &c., &c., until midway of the block began the large Milwaukee brick structure, the Cleveland House. This with the Clinton House on the corner was destroyed.

Crossing Clinton street, the devouring element laid in rains the Cochrane House, a six story marble front building, owned by J. W. Cochrane, Esq. Also the Hydraulic Mills, a four story stone structure, owned by Mr. Monroe, and occupied by Mr. Mitchell, and E. W. Blachford’s extensive Lead Works. The fire, then spread to the adjoining block destroying the Reformed Presbyterian Church, of which Rev. Robert Patterson is pastor, and a row of good dwelling houses adjoining. How far the fire will extend, we cannot definitely, state at the time of going to press; but there is little doubt that the entire four blocks which are described. will be in ruins.

The Cochrane House was an elegant six-story structure of the first class in hotel architecture, and finished and erected some three years since, by J, W. Cochrane, Esq. It was six stories in height, and fronted on Lake street, just west of Clinton street. It was of Athens marble front, and thoroughly appointed and finished for hotel business of tbe first order. In fact, it was too good and too much in advance of that immediate section of the city, to have proved a profitable investment of the outlay, nearly $50,000 we believe, and it had for some time stood unoccupied. It was finished below for stores on its Lake-street front. The fire commenced its work upon this fine structure at the roof, and thence, far above the reach of the firemen, it ate its way down into the heart of the building, totally destroying it.

An ell from the Cochrane House, of equal height with the main edifice, extended east with the main building, to Canal street, thus forming an angle on tbe corner of the streets, occupied by a three-story brick building, eighty feet on either street. This, occupied by various tenants, was also destroyed.

Next west of the ell of the Cochrane House, was the stone structure occupied as the Hydraulic mills. This was completely gutted.

The Chicago Lead Works, of E. W. Blatchford, were erected in 1856, at a cost of about forty thousand dollars. It was the largest establishment of the kind in the West, if not in the United States, and in a manufacturing point of view, was one of the chief ornaments of the city. Besides the buildings, there were destroyed 500 barrels of linseed oil, machinery, lead, lead pipe, sheet lead, &c., to the value of upwards of $60,000. The business carried on was immense, for besides manufacturing upwards of 100,000 pigs lead annually into lead pipe, sheet lead, with &c., they were extensive dealers in shot of all kinds. The engine is spoken of as being one of the finest in the West, and their machinery was of the most perfect character in every particular.

The building itself was very fine—having been constructed without regard to expense, and in a most durable manner, as all who witnessed the scorching it received before it fell can testily.

One thing with regard to it, however, had been overlooked. There were no iron shutters on it—a strange mistake, when its position to the lumber yards opposite, is taken into consideration. It is not too much to state, that had the windows been securely closed by iron frames and shutters, the Chicago Lead Works might have been saved, and the limits of the fire lessened.

Further Particulars.
When, as one of the crowning attractions of the Great United States Fair in this city, was proposed a grand trial of Steam Fire Engines, it was most lamentably opportune that the con flagration took place. Never before did we see so much force displayed with so little confusion, and noise. At the time the fire broke out, the Hope Fire Engine Company, of Philadelphia, were at supper at the Orient House, when they instantly started for the scene with their steam engine, and rent to work most vigorously, rendering our own Fire Department much assistance. The city fire engines also did noble work, but the high wind proved too much for them all combined. And now, if not before, it must seem unfortunate that the number of our steam fire engines has been for any reason whatever allowed to await a reinforcement. Under ordinary circumstances it could have been subdued without difficulty.

Details of the Fire.
The fire commenced in the livery and sale stables of F. Mehring, 47 and 49 North Canal street, consuming all its contents including fonr valuable horses, one a stallion valued at $1,OOO, owned by Thomas Wilson, of Palatine in this county. From thence it spread to another stable in the rear, belonging also to Mr. Mehring. There were but six horses in this stable, all of which, were rescued. The fire then communicated to the blacksmith shop on the North side (No. 45) of Redmond Hunt & Co., which was speedily consumed, spreading thence in different directions, destroying the entire block, bounded by West Lake, Clinton, Fulton and North Canal. In this block, on Lake Street, were the Cleveland house, kept by Wm. Sander, and.owned by S. L. Baker, valued at $37,000 and insured for $15,000; the Clinton House adjoining on the West; the lumber yard of Wm. Avery & Co., on the corner of Canal and Fulton, containing 3,000,000 feet of lumber, valued at a $30,000—insured for 15,000, and a large number of small buildings.

From the block above named the fire communicated to the building attached to E. W. Blatchford’s Lead Works, and from thence to the Lead Works, which were consumed. From the Lead Works it communicated to the Hydraulic Mills, and these, with the entire block by West Lake, North Jefferson, Fulton and Clinton Sts., were entirely consumed. In this block, on West Lake street, were Cochran House, owned by J. W. Cochran, valued at $65,000; (there was an insurance, for a considerable amount, but how large we could not learn,) the West Washington House, a fire-engine house, and various residences.

On the north, from the northwest corner of North Canal and Fulton, the fire communicated to the extensive lamber yard of Ryerson, Miller & Co., destroying 2,500,000 feet of lumber, valued at $25,000 and insured for $12,000 to $14,000; thence to the hard wood lamber yard of Sutherland, entirely destroying his stock, valued at $IO,OOO, and insured for $3,400; Walter Lull’s lumber yard, adjoining on the North, he having about 2,000,000 feet of lumber, valued at $20,000, with some insurance, but how much we cannot learn. The machine shop of Mason & Co., next to the corner of Carroll and North Canal street; the Blue Bonnet House on the corner, with a large number of tenements.

From Ryerson’s lumber yard it communicated to the Vulcan boiler works, of Warrington and Mc Arthur; thence to the Vulcan boiler works, destroying the block bounded by Fulton, North Jefferson, Carroll and Clinton streets. On this block was the Reformed Scotch Presbyterian Church, and a number of goad dwellings; on Jefferson street the packing house of Philips & Co; the planing min belonging to E. A. Rucker, together a, number of other buildings belonging to the same gentleman, whose entire loss is $7,500 and no insurance. There were a number of other valuable buildings on this but we could cot learn who their occupants were.

At the time of going to press it seemed as if the fire might be confined within the limits of the four blocks described. It may spread farther end prove still more destructive, but we trust not.

It is impossible to determine, at this hour, anything; take tho actual amount of property destroyed, but we think we are not greatly out of the way in placing it at half a million of dollars. It may prove, more than this—we hope it may prove less, of coarse, anything like the amount of insurance on the property cannot be known in time for our present issue.

In the block in which the fire originated, besides the more prominent buildings mentioned above, the following buildings were destroyed:

The Want of More Fire-Engines.
Since the inauguration of steam fire-engines, we have not had fires extensive enough to show our citizens how much they were needed. Last night, while the flames spread rapidly from block to block, it was painfully apparent to all that we ought to have at least two engines in each division of the city. We trust the matter will be token into immediate consideration.

Accidents.
While a saloon on Canal street was being burned, a member of the Fire Brigade, named L. Pearce, a constable of the Third Ward, and another man, whose name we did not learn, rushed into the house, and after saving some property, were compelled to jump from the upper story windows, and were severely injured. Mr. Pearce had to be taken home in a carriage. We did not learn the fall extent of his injuries.

Later.
2 A. M.—The fire is at length subdued. After having crossed Carroll street to the block bounded by Carroll, No. Jefferson, the Galena R. R. track and Clinton st., it consumed the entire block, making five blocks in all destroyed.

Full Account of the Great Fire.
Extra copies of this morning’s Press and Tribune containing full particulars of the great fire in tbe West Division, as well as a complete report of the National Fair, can be obtained at the counting-room, No. 51 Clark street.

The Fire District:

Block ⑫

Block ⑬

Block ㉓

Block ㉔

On West Lake street twenty-one houses were destroyed; on Fulton street, ten houses; on Jefferson street, nine houses and a number of shanties; on Canal street, fourteen houses and several lumber yards; on Clinton street, twelve houses and manufacturing premises; and on Carroll street seven houses were destroyed.

The Press and Tribune, September 17, 1859

We were enabled to give a good general idea of the great conflagration in the Western District in our issue of yesterday morning, without going much into the particulars. During yesterday our reporters gave their most indefatigable attention. to the gathering of such facts as nay be worth knowing, the result of which will be found below.

The actual amount of loss we of course cannot positively ascertain, but we think it cannot vary much from the figures given yesterday, although some intelligent and judicious men think our estimate to high.

It is a heavy misfortune to our city, and with all the energy of our citizens in the Western District, it will be a long time before they will entirely recover from the ruin it has wrought.

In the confusion and haste of our report yesterday morning, we were made to state that the entire square, bounded by West Lake, North Jefferson, Fulton and Clinton Streets, was consumed. This is a mistake. From the Engine house formerly occupied by No. 6, on Lake St., to the corner of North Jefferson St. on worth Jefferson to Fulton and on Fulton to the Lead Works, the buildings were all, or nearly all, saved. This district includes Phillips’ packing house and some other prominent buildings.— With this exception, the outline of the fire, as given by us, was correct.

We should do injustice to our gallant firemen, did we neglect to say that their efforts to stay the progress of the fames were well and judiciously directed, and they, labored with a vigor and enthusiasm which produced the best posi-bie pesults. Their well directed, heroic and successful efforts to save the Oconto Lumber Company’s property and the grain warehouse of Munn & Scott were worthy of all praise.

Below we give the full particulars, as gathered by our reporter:

WEST LAKE STREET.
No. 36— Two story frame, owned by Widow Clark, and occupied by Thomas Thompson, Tailor, loss $50; and John Eden, fruit dealer, loss $200, uninsured.
No. 38—One story frame, owned by Widow Clark, and occupied as a pop factory by John Lummux, who owned a small building in the rear occupied as a dwelling; loss $1,000 uninsured.
No. 40—One story frame, owned by Widow Clark, and occupied by Klattenberg Bro’s, painters, loss $200, on house $200, uninsured.
No. 42—One story, frame, occupied by Tho’s Quigley as a dwelling, loss slight, building owned by Mrs. Clark, loss $200, uninsured.
No. 11—One story frame, owned by Widow Brown, and occupied by Mrs. Mary Kent as dwelling, loss $200, uninsured.
Next came the Cleveland House, of Milwaukee brick, owned by S. L. Baker and leased by Wm. Sander, whose loss was $3,000, uninsured. The House was valued at $37,000 and insured for $28,000 in the Artic, of New York, Howard, of New York; Indemnity, of New York, Manhattan, of New York, and Lamar, of New York. In the first story of the Hotel was:
No. 46—Occupied by Patrick Pryer us a shirt manufactory, loss $200, no insurance.
No. 45—Dining room of the Hotel; and No. 50, a Billiard Saloon connected with the house, the tables of which were saved.
No. 52—Occupied by J. P. D. Griffin as a tin shop, loss $150, no insurance. and D. Leonard, tailor, loss $300, no insurance.
No. 54—B. Bernaur, Liquor Dealer. Loss $6,000; insured for $3,000 in the AEtna. Part of his stock was saved.
No. 56—Tyfel’s watch store. Loss $600, fully insured.
No. 58– Reuben Taylor, land office; slight loss.
No. 60 was occupied on the first floor as a grocery store by. W. & C. Matther. Loss $500; uninsured: Above the store, was occupied as a boarding house, called the Clinton House, and, kept by Christopher Cross. A part of the furniture was saved. The building was owned by S. L. Baker, and included in the loss of the Cleveland House.
On the north-west corner of Lake and Clinton streets was a three story brick building, occupied above as a boarding house, called the West Washington House, and kept by Kessel & Zimmer. Loss $500; no insurance; the first floor has stores.
No. 69 was a lager beer saloon. Loss slight.
No. 64—Shoe store by L. G. Osborne, loss $150; no insurance:
Nos. 68 and 70-The six story marble front hotel owned by J. W. Cochrane, and unoccupied. It was valued at $60,000 and we do not learn that there was any insurance. Mr. Cochrane had an office in No. 68. Next west of this was a one story wood building fitted up as a billard saloon but not rented. The tables were removed.
No. 74 was occupied and No. 76, by Mr. Kaufield, a music teacher, were damaged by the falling walls. Mr. Kauffold had several pianos
damaged by removal.

FULTON STREET.
Nos. 44, 46, 48, 50, two-story frame dwellings owned by Moses Shirra, loss $4,000; insured for $500 each.. Nos. 44 and 46, in the AEtna and 48, and 50 in Norwich, Conn.
The next west, was the Reformed Presbyterian. Church, Rev. Robert Patterson. Valued at $2,500; insured for $1,200 in the Phoenix of Hartford, Conn.
No. 54—Two story dwelling occupied by Mc Donnel; owned by V. C. Turner; lose about $500.
No. 56—Two story frame house occupied by Mr. Broderick; total loss $500.
No. 58—Two story frame, occupied by Mr. S. Brown; total loss $1,250.
Nos. 60 and 62—A double two story frame house, the former occupied by Mr. Tunnicliff and owned by A. S. Kedzie; loss $24,000; insured for $1,600 in City, Fire Insurance Co., New Haven, Conn. On the the corner off Jefferson and Fulton Michael Rooch owned a small; house; loss about $200.

CARROLL STREET.
Two cooper shops wore burned just west of Clinton on the south side of Carroll street, both occupied by Joseph Kieffer—one owned by him and the other by Isaac Cook; Keefer’s loss was $1,200, uninsured.
Nos. 51, 53, 55—Frame dwellings belonging to Robert Moore; loss $1,400.
No. 57—One story frame house owned by G. Brady, unoccupied, loss $150 uninsured.
No. 59—Two story frame dwelling awned by Wm. Webb, occupied by Edward Ragan; loss of $250; no insurance.
Nos. 60 and 62—Two story dwellings; owned by E. A. Rucker; 62 was occupied by Rucker, and 60 by Hathaway; loss $1,800, no insurance.

CANAL STREET.
No. 39—corner Lake, two story building, unoccupied, owned by Widow Clark; loss $500; uninsured.
No. 41—Saloon kept and owned by M. Finucan; loss $800; uninsured.
Clark; loss $800 uninsured.
No. 43—Lager beer saloon by John Jacobs; owned by Mrs. Clark; loss $500 uninsured.
No. 45—Small one story house owned by Mrs. Clark; loss, $500 uninsured.
No. 47 and 49—Stables belonging to the Lake Street House, owned by W. B. Ogden.
No. 51—kept by Jas. Peterkin, who saved, his furniture, owned by John Warwick; and stables in rear on alley; total loss, $1,400; uninsured.
No. 53—Two story, building, unoccupied; owned by Geo. Lumax & Co. loss, $800 uninsured.
Nos.55 and 57, Stable owned by John Mehring, ice dealer, and occupied for the ice horses and boarding stable. Here the fire originated, and nine horses were consumed. In the rear was an ice, insured for $1,200 in Philadelphia Fire and Life Insurance Co.
No. 59 Blacksmith Shop, owned by Redmond & Hunt. Loss $500, uninsured. No. 61. Saloon belonging to some children, Mr. Sulzer, Administrator, insured for $600 in
Illinois Mutual.
No.66. Blind and Sash Factory by F. J. Roelle, who owned the building, Loss $6,000, insured for $900 in Illinois Mutual.
Next was the lumber yard of T. M. Avery & Co. Loss $40,000, insured $20,000 in several companies..
On the Northwest corner of Canal and Clinton streets was the lumber yards of Ryerson, Miller & Co., which was entirely consumed with the exception of the office, and a few piles of limber. Loss $25,000, insured for $12,000, about equally in the Etna, London and Liverpool, Home and Resolute.
Adjacent to this was the hard-wood lumber yard of Sutherland & Co.; loss, $15,000; insured for $13,500 in the Etna. John Granger had 2,000 staves stored in this yard, which was insured for $900 in the Etna.

Then came the yard of Walter Lull, which was entirely consumed; loss $14,000; partly insured. There was lumber stored in this yard belonging to Pearson & Batchbeller, the loss on which was $1,750; insured for $1,500 in the Chicago FIreman’s Ins. Co.

Next north of this was the Excelsior Iron works, beLonging to C. Mason. The machinery saved; loss $10,000; insured for $3,500 in the Chicago Fireman’s Insurance Co. Co. At the corner of Carrol street was the Blue Bonnet Saloon; loss on furniture $200; house $400.

CLINTON STREET.
North of the West Washingion. House, corner of Lake and Clintou streets was a five story building; an L of the Cochrane House, belonging to J. W. Cochrane; adjacent to this, north, was the Hydraulic, Mills, run by R. M. Mitchell, whose loss was $5,000. No insurance: There was a large quantity of wheat, besides flour in the mill, of which but few barrels were got out. The building was owned by H.S. Munroe, and valued at $15,000 and was uninsured, the owner being about to make arrangements to insure.

Next came the wooden storehouse of the Lead Works. On the corner of Fulton was the five-story brick, lead works ofF. W. Blatchford, which was insured for $57,500, as follows: On the building, $5,000 each in the Phoenix of Brooklyn, Hartford of Connecticut, Humboldt of New York and City of New York, $2,000 in the Hamden of Springfield, Mass., and $1,500 in the Conway, of Conway, Mass. On the machinery, 2,500 each in Charter, Oak, Connecticut, Phoenix, Hartford, Springfield Fire and Marine, Mass., and $2,000 in Atlantic of Providence, the Merchants of Hartford, Etna of Hartford, and Relief of N. Y., $4,000 in Hamden of Springfield, and $3,000 in the Montank of Brooklyn.

The Cleveland Masonic Lodge occupied rooms in this building. Loss $7,000, uninsured.

W. B. Young had a Sewing Machine manufactory in the third story, he got out a few machines but all tools and stock lost, uninsured.

Farther north was the Vulcan boiler works of John McArthur. Loss 1,000, uninsured, building belonged to Henry Worthington, who also owned the Vulcan Foundry a brick building adjoining. Loss, $30,000 on two buildings and stock, insured $10,000 equally, in North American, of Hartford, Etna of Hartford and Norwich of Norwich. North of this was three or four frame dwellings uninsured, loss about $400 each.

JEFFERSON STREET.
On Jefferson, between Fulton and Carroll streets there, were, several small buildings and the plaining mill of E. A. Rucker. Loss $6,000, uninsured.

D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859-60

ENGINE COMPANIES.
Fire Engine Company No. 1.
Located on Dearborn street, between Washington and Randolph streets. Fred. A. Bragg, Foreman. Engine first class, Philadelphia style, 10 inch cylinder, 9 inch stroke; built in 1855, by John Agnew, Philadelphia. Present number of men 77, entitled to 80.

Metamora Engine Company No. 2
Located corner of Washington and Franklin streets. Foreman, J. L. Wagonberger. Engine first class, piano style; 10 inch cylinder, 9 inch stroke; built in 1858, by James Smith of N. Y. Present number of men, 44, entitled to 80.

Niagara Engine Company No. 3.
Located on North Wells, south east corner of Kinzie street. Foreman, P.P. Wood. Engine first class, crane neck, piano style; 11 inch cylinder, 10 inch stroke; built in 1854, by L. Button & Co., Waterford, N. Y., Second class engine, property of the company, 9¼ inch cylinder, 7½ inch stroke; built in 1858, by L, Button & Oo., Waterford, N. Y.; both engines in good order. Also, a good hose cart, carrying 100 feet of hose; built in 1852, by Messrs. Pine & Hartshorn, N. Y. Present number of men 80.

Excelsior Engine Company No. 5.
Located on West Jackson street, between S. Jefferson and S. Clinton streets. W. Wayman, Foreman. House in good condition; engine first class, crane neck, piano style; 10 inch cylinder, 10 inch stroke; built in 1856, by L. Button & Co., Waterford, N. Y. Present number of men, 54, entitled to 80.

Garden City Engine Company No. 6.
Located on W. Lake street, between North Clinton and N. Jefferson. E. Mendser, Foreman. Engine first class, 10 inch cylinder, 7½ inch stroke; built in 1858, by L. Button & Co., Waterford, N. Y. Present number of men, 40, entitled to 80.

Eagle Engine Company No. 7.
Located on State street, between Van Buren and Harrison. J. M. Reis, Foreman. Engine first class, crane neck, piano style; 10 inch cylinder, 9 inch stroke; built in 1856, by L. Button & Co., Waterford, N. Y. Present number of men 36, entitled to 80.

Neptune Engine Company No. 11.
Located on Chicago avenue, near N. Dearborn street. N. Siemon, Foreman; engine first class, Jeffries style; 10 inch cylinder, 9 inch stroke; built in 1856, by William Jeffries, Pawtucket, R. I. Present number of men 69, entitled to 80.

Wide Awake Engine Company No. 12.
Located on Liberty street, between Clark and State streets. Peter Stephens, Foreman. Engine first class, crane neck, piano style; 10 inch cylinder, 8 inch stroke; built in 1854, by L. Button & Co., Waterford, N. Y. Present number of men 46, entitled to 80.

Torrent Engine Company No. 13.
Located on Third street, near Milwaukee avenue. Henry Ackhoff, Foreman. Engine first class, piano style; 10 inch cylinder, 10 inch stroke; built in 1856, by Jeffries & Co., Pawtucket, R. I. Present number of men 35, entitled to 60.

Northern Liberty Engine Company No. 15.
Located on North avenue, near Larrabee st. John Moehr, Foreman. Engine first class, piano, style. Wright Bros., Rochester, N. Y., builders.

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