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10 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, July 9, 1985 One-third of Port Perry leveled in three hours Buildings redu + PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Port Perry has been a thriving busy little community for well over 100 years, but there was a time when its progress was stopped by fires, which all but wiped-out the village. Twice in one year, the Port Perry business section was destroyed by fires. The first fire, on November 26, 1883, wiped out about one third of the businesses, and then in the evening of Thursday, July 3, 1884, fire once again struck Port Perry. This time it destroyed almost every place of business on Queen Street and the adjoining streets. During the past six months, the Star has researched through their own files as well as the archives at the Toron- to Library, the Ontario Archives and the Scugog Shores Museum to bring you this feature. The stories are copied directly from the papers of 1883 and 1884 and should represent a factual account of the fires. NORTH ONTARIO OBSERVER Thursday, Dec. 20, 1883 The Port Perry of today has certainly no inviting appearance, a large number of its finest structures having been laid waste by an ir- repressible conflagration, these are now only represented by sickening heaps of ashes and piles of broken brick. The fiend made his ap- pearance somewhere in the rear of the Port Perry House on November 26, 1883, and fanned by a powerful blast from the east, succeeded within three hours from its first ap- 2 town and causing devastation and havoc in every direction, consuming property to the value of $125,000 and leaving a blank of about $80,000 on the assessment roll. Active and brave men flew to the rescue; our vigilent fire brigade were soon on hand, but had to con- tend against fearful odds. The poet says: "Thrice is he armed who has his quarrel just," but our worthy firemen were not once armed against such a foe, a common syr- inge is scarcely the thing against a mountain of flame; but all did their best and deserve thanks for their efforts. Some of the camp followers pearance in wiping out at least one- kept. at a respectful and safe third of the business portion of the Some interesting incidents from the 1884 fire disaster Luckily, no human hives were lost. The foundry was on fire several times from flying brands Mr Courti 'e saved a portion of his stock of leather by hurriedly cramming it into a well close by, where it remained safe and sound. Just think of it ! In less than three hours $350,000 worth of pro- perty was reduced to ashes How many three hours will it take to replace it"? Not a solitary paper belonging to the Corporation, including this year's assessment roll, was saved. The Council will have their hands full for some time to come, as about 150 by-laws will have to be re passed The country for miles to the north-west, was on fire in many places by cinders blown hither and thither from the Port, and a prece of paper. one of Davenport, Jones and Company's bill-heads, was found on Mr Beare's farm, near Greenbank Messrs Harrington and Seymour lost a $300 horse in the Man- sion House stable, where three other horses and a cow were burn- ed This horse. 'Dan' had travelled over nine States in the Union, and was rescued from three fires. and was a great favourite Some idea of the brilliancy of the flames may be formed from the fact that for miles the shore of Lake Ontario and in Oshawa. Whitby, parties affirm they could see to read a paper. or pick a pin In Port Hope, the fire alarm was rung with the idea that the fire was on Protestant Hill 1tas hardly possible to conceive of the wildness of the excite: ment which prevailed during the progress of the fire One woman entrusted her babe to the care of a fmend, while she went to rescue other valuables She forgot where and what had become of her child Her feehngs and conduct about that time may be imagin ed but not described Young Mr Parish who had entered his father's store to call out his parents become partially suffocated by the smoke and hav: ing also lost his way would have perished had he not by mere chance stumbled upon the cellar way. down which he fell Jas McArthur suddenly found his escape cut off and was obhged to rush through the flames to save his hfe He was badly burned but will soon be well Mr Dancaster feels the loss of his stallion "Silver Dust very keenly He was offered only a few days before the fire. $2.000 cash for im, and' declined it Mr O Powell. in whose charge the horse was, would very hkely have shared the same fate had it not been for some men who were close at hand Powell made a rush to secure the horse it seems. but was driven back in a fainting con dition, when he had to be carried away Mr WT Parnish's safe fell in the coal oil well and was burn ing for a day or so after the fire. with no matenal damage to the contents Some 26 stood the fiery test Messrs Goldie and McCullough, of Galt. and J & J Taylor of Toronto. were the prin cipal makers distance throughout and were so anxious for the safety of the more valuable portions of the goods that they carried off to such distances that their owners have not yet been able to recover them; even horses and wagons were engaged in the pious (7?) work. The morning after the devasta- tion, the hearts of the people quak- ed in gazing on the ruins, and many disconsolate one uttered dark for- bodings of the future of the town. But these birds of ill-omen had reckoned without their host, they did not take into account the daring enterprise of the owners of the pro- perty. Ere the smoke of the embers ceased W.B. McGaw, the active and energetic proprietor of the now obliterated but well-known Walker House, was seen passing over the ruins and ordering immediate removal of the bricks and rubbish with a view to rebuilding on a more magnificent scale, and in order to secure still more extended frontage, he paid Mr. A. Ross $1000 for some 24 feet adjoining his (Mr. McGaw"s) property to the east. Mr. Blong, the active and Liberal proprietor of the splendid Hotel Brunswick, now a heap of ruins, has also ordered the removal of the ruins of his famous structure in order to the erection at as early a day as possible of new premises still more magnificent and costly than those destroyed. Mr. Ruddy, the worthy host of the Port Perry House now a victim of the flames, offers to purchase the site of the destroyed hotel from Mr. Thompson, with a view to the erec- tion of another fine hotel; if he can't secure that, he propeses building on Mr. Charles' lot on the opposite side of the street. Messrs. Diesfield, Hiscox and Worthington are all expected to rebuild so that ere the close of 1884, the fearful gap made by the unspar- ing devourer will be filled up to ad- vantage and the Port Perry of that day will be better than ever. In the meantime, the fugitives driven out by the flames have found shelter as best they could awaiting the erection of their new premises. Mr. Blong has rented and com- fortably fitted up the house belong- ing to Mr. Thomas Graham opposite the railway station where every at- tention is given to comfort and con- venience of guests and the table and bar supplied with the choice of the market Mr Ruddy has leased and fitted up Mr D Ireland's premises (the old Queen's Hotel) where good and convenient accommodation 1s fur- nmished to all comers. Mr Laing and Meharry had to take refuge in the store they lately occupied on the opposite side of the street, but finding it much too small for their business, they have built a large addition behind Diesfield's watch, clock and jewellery establishment has been moved to the north side of Queen Street. opposite the Observer Office Don't fail to call and see their choice stock of "everything desirable "in the line Mr Charles has moved his grocery and liquor business into the premises one door east of the Barber Shop The perservering and thoroughly active firm of Curts and Henderson lost no time in securing a lease of an important portion of the market building where they have fitted up in perfect business style one of the most convement flour. feed and general produce establishments anywhere to be found. they are now rushing the business The Griffith Stove and Tinware business has got snugly located on the west side of Perry Street, they too have pressing business with energy Mr Vansickler. one of our enterprising Lavery proprietors has established his livery establishment in part of the Mansion House stables, and is now prepared to fur- nish rigs for all. Mr. McKenzie has moved his business to the Leonard Block op- posite the Market. ced to brick and ashes Mr. S. Graham has removed his Blacksmithing establishment to the rear of his [ate premises and is now in full blast in a well appointed new establishment and prepared to ex- ecute all orders on short notice and to the satisfaction of customers. Uxbridge report praises residents UXBRIDGE JOURNAL July 17, 1884 The Port Perry people deserve much credit for the pushing enterprise that characterized them since the fire. Nearly every person who suffered from the blaze is working with a will to replace, in a measure, as well as possible, the property destroyed. The Standard, though among those burned out, appeared last week in good form, having been printed in Oshawa, where Mr. Mundy owns the "Reformer."' In less than three hours, $350,000 worth of property was reduc- ed to ashes. Not a solitary paper belonging to the Corporation, including this year's assessment roll was saved. The council will have their hands full for sometime to come, as about 150 by-laws will have to be re-passed. The country for nites to the north and west, was on fire in many places by cinders blown hither and thither from the Port; and a piece of paper, one of Davenport, Jones and Co.'s bill-heads was found on Mr. Beare's lawn, near Greenbank. Many sighs of relief were breathed amongst businessmen when some 26 safes were removed from the debris and opened, finding the contents safe and sound, although, in some instances, a little charred. $350,000 worth of property consumed THE PORT PERRY STANDARD Thursday, July 10, 1884 This romantic village, so recent- ly the pride of its people, and the ad- miration of travellers, is now a thing of the past, and exists only in the memory of those who beheld it. During the night of Thursday, the third instant, the alarm was given by voice and bell, and in less time than it takes to write or relate it, many of the inhabitants were awakened with the sound and hor- rified at the sight. The flames were already leaping high in the air; and. long before they could be surrounded, it was a foregone conclusion with many that the south half of the town was as surely doomed to destruction, as had been the north half only a few months before. Nor were they agreeably disappointed, for in less than ninety minutes the whole of the remaining business part of the town was reduced to ashes, involving in the destruction some forty-five or fifty people of business, and incurr- ing a loss of over three hundred and fifty thousand dollars The fire sprang up so suddenly, and spread so rapidly. that men, women and children. struck with consternation. were actually ter: rified A stiff breeze blowing from the south-east when the fire began, aided the devouring element 1m- mensely ints spread and purpose In their madhke fury. the flames were driven. in every direction, over the tops of all the buildings in the south-east block. and 1gnited them almost simultaneously as they pass- ed The flames burst through the buildings on Perry and Queen Streets. and reaching to the blocks west and north. their firey tongues soon ignited these also The terror stricken owners fond- Iv hoped to the last moment, that their buildings as well as their con- tents would escape but they were suddenly undeceived Once the fire obtained a hold, all hope was gone. The doors and windows were open- ed and entered in defiance of all ef- forts to stay its progress. The sight was terrifically grand, and yet awfully devastating, as the flames arched the streets, and played havoc with everything in their reach, till all the buildings from Acherman's harness shop to Johnstone and Hobbs, in the south- east block, from Davis and Son's Cabinet factory to the vacant lot east of Tummond's, in the south- west block; from McGaw's tem- porary retreat to Reynolds Blacksmith Shop, in the north-east block: and from Shaw's marble works, to Diesfeld's Jewellery shop in the north-west block, were swept out of existence. Rush after rush was made for back-door entrances, and though willing hearts and ready hands did everything that, humarly speaking. could be done, they were driven back by the fire fiend with only a small measure of success Many of the determined efforts were successful, though fighting against fearful odds, and yet a very small percentage of the moveable goods was saved. This will be admit- ted when it is known that not a pound of any of the necessaries of life could be had in the place, except at the store of Mr. W. Tummonds. the next day The firemen worked like heroes, and. with all others who assisted. deserve great credit for their bravery Fortunately -- gratefully indeed was it ascertained, after the tur- moil and excitement and worry of that fearful and never to be forgot: ten night, that no human lives were lost. if even every resemblance to the former pretty and prosperous village had been obliterated The fire originated in the stables attached to the Mansion House The cause is enveloped in mystery. though it is very generally at tributed to incendiarism Rk = | {i LA men fat 2 ag pote Jo na in NE a KL amma big. s uu. HR i¥