Dennison Fire, 1883 | Grayson County, TXGenWeb

1883 Denison Fire
300 block W. Main St.

Note: Kansas City Store was located at 304 West Main St. in 1875 and the advertisement below for Live Drug Store states is it located on Main Street in 1874.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, July 22, 1883

FRIDAY'S BLAZE
Nearly a Block of Wooden Structures Destroyed
Our citizens were arounsed from their slumbers about 2 o'clock Friday morning by the alarm of fire. The fire originated in the second-hand store of John Dollarhide, a frame building adjoining the Kansas City store, and was soon wrapped in flames. A large crowd soon collected and the hook and ladder and hose boys and pump brigade were promptly on hand and at work in a vain endeavor to stay the flames. The was a long row of frame buildings extending from the Kansas City store west to Dr. Feilds' two story brick, and it was soon evident they would succomb to the fiery elements. The fire companies under the leadership of George Lake, foreman of the Hose company, first turned their attention to the preservation of the Kansas City store, a two story stone building, with a brick front. The front was soon in flames, and it was nip and tuck for half an hour which would triumph, the fire or the brave boys combatting it. The gallant fellows at the pump kept a steady stream of water flowing and persistant work at last triumphed and the flames were subdued. Meantime the hook and ladder were firemen pulling down the frame structures at the other end of the row, and had nearly accomplished their purpose when the rapidly spreading flames drove them back. The attention of the entire force was then directed to saving the Feild building, and although the front was badly charred, the windows burned out, and the wall on the east side badly damaged by the heat, they succeeded in saving the structure. The fire force did nobly. By their heroic exertions much valuable property was saved. The chief, Mr. Mike Yawman, was in the country and knew nothing of the fire until it was over. Early in the morning the fire boys went out to his residence in force. He dropped on the situation without explanation, and puting on his wardrobe, suggested that it was about time to take something and all hands came down town and enjoyed a smile at the chief's expense.
The following are the losses as far as could be ascertained:
The frame next to the Kansas City Store, occupied by John Dollarhid, owned by John Haven, $1,000; insurance, $500; stock total loss, $600; insured for $400 in Western California.
Singer Sewing Machine Company building, owned by Isaac Lindsey, $800; insured in the Sun Mutual for $500; stock, $200, mostly removed. Belonged to J.M. Wells; no insurance.
The building owned and occupied by John Haven as a grocery, valued at $1,000; insured in the Sun Mutual for $500; stock worth $2,600; insured in the same Company for $1,500. Most of the goods removed.
A small building owned by Mr. Ferris, valued at $800, no insurance; occupied with a stock of groceries by W.L. Bingham, valued at $800; insured for $500 in the Western California. Goods mostly removed.
Rohrbough, Moore & Co's. building, valued at $800; insured in the Springfield of Massachusetts for $400; occupied by Miss Docia Holman, with a stock of millinery; valued at $500; insured for $500 in the same company.
Livery stable owned by Mr. Ferris, $300; no insurance. Mr. Ferris also owned a vacant frame building adjoining, valued at $500; not insured.
House occupied by E.D. Killian as a sadlery store; valued at $300; stock $700; insured for $300 in Western California. Contents removed.
Dr. Feild estimates the damage to his building at $1,200; insured for $1,500. J.M. Hill, who occupied the lower floor, was damaged to the amount of $200 or more; insured. The Telephone company, who occupied the upper floor suffered severely.
The Kansas City store owned by Mrs. Gillman was badly damaged - estimated at $1,000; insured for $2,000.
Mr. Fletcher had a tent on a vacant lot, occupied with a stock of candies, nuts, etc., lost about $100.
Two Norwegians, shoemakers, lost in stock $100.
A negro barber, Peter Hamilton, got out his goods without loss.
It is believed the fire was incendiary. Mrs. O'Toole, at the Nelson House, saw a man going along the alley in a suspicious manner, and approached the Dollarhide House from the rear. In a moment after she smelt coal oil and then the flames broke out. She also saw the man run away, going up Chestnut street. Mrs. Heffelbower, who resides nearly opposite, on Chester street, also saw the man running from the direction of the Dollarhide building but did not recognize him.
Mrs. O'Toole says she knows the person she saw, that he is an old man, but declines to give his name.

Denison Daily News
Saturday, April 25, 1874