Sherman Fire | Grayson County, TXGenWeb

SHERMAN FIRE!

Denison Daily Cresset
Wednesday, November 3, 1875
pg. 1

South Travis Street, the South & East Sides of Public Square & Most of Houst Street in Ruins!
The Post Office & Sumner's Block Destroyed
Great Credit Due the Members of the Sam Houston Fire Company
One Hundred and Fifty Denison Boys Come Over to Aid and do Valiant Service

Sherman, Tex., Nov. 1, 12 M.
Our city has just pass through a most disastrous fire. The best business portion has just been burned, and the charred and blackened ruins appear like those of the great Chicago fire. It is supposed that the fire originated in the St. Cloud House, and it had a fair start before the alarm was given. The Sam Houston Fire Company fought the flames with almost superhuman courage and perserverance, but the strong southwest wind foiled every effort and prevented them from making a permanent stand until the flames had swept South Travis street, the South and East sides of public square, and reached the Levy, Schneider and Felliner corner. Here they were joined by the Denison boys - who so kindly and gallantly came to our aid - and by their assistance, North Travis street and the north side of the square were saved. Mr. F.W.Sumner was a very heavy loser. The post office in his block was destroyed, but most of the mail was saved.
M. Singer & Co., Levy & Bro., and M. Schneider & Bro. did not move their goods and their houses were not destroyed. Bond & Manson sustained a heavy loss by the burning of a large amount of goods stored in Levy's old house on Houston street. Chapman's and R.G. Hall & Son, Andrews & Moore, Ed Moore, Batsell's livery stable, Jackson's corner, and many other of the first business houses were destroyed with much of their contents.
A great deal of hot work was done in various parts of the city, but our observation was confined to streets bordering on Commercial Row. The fire consumed everything to the next street east. Along this street some very timely work was done. Chas. Hodges went on the roof of the dwelling opposite the St. John's House, and with the aid of several of the printing fraternity saved it from the flames. Goode, Stinnett & Daniel saved their corner by the hottest of work. Another good stand was made at the house of L.W. Williams. Dr. Steever, J.H. Ellis, and W.A. Corbett did good work here. Mr. Corbett merits great credit for his valiant and valuable aid, as he kept his post on the roof when many of the water carriers had ceased to work and when there seemed to be no hope. By stopping the fire here the Christian church was saved and many valuable residences.
A young man named Bond, a relative of Geo. Bond, was run over and killed by a horse.
The fire extended south on Travis street to J.D. McCamant's and the jail. A small district west of McCamant's brick was burned.
Many people are in the streets, and will probably remain there till morning as all is confusion and disorder.
The loss cannot be ascertained now, but it will approximate $450,000.
About 150 citizens of Denison reached here about 9 o'clock and just as the sweeping flames were approaching North Travis street. Our citizens and firemen were exhausted, and the flames swept on unopposed. The boys from Denison saw the danger and took a bold stand. They worked with a will and effect that soon told. The pride of our city, North Travis street, is saved, and we owe it to the brave and valiant work of the citizens of Denison.

NAMES OF THE SUFFERERS

INDIVIDUAL LOSSES

The County records were saved, and the court house was not damaged.
All the printing offices were burned with most of the material. The Patriot saved some portion of its type and many valuables and relics, and will probably not suspend but a short time.
This has been a terrible night for Sherman - a night of disaster and one long to be remembered and regretted; but we trust and firmly believe that Sherman will soon recover and rise from her ruins a better and more beautiful city.
A.L. Darnall
Editor Sherman Patriot