Cambridge, New York, USA
1884 - A VILLAGE ON FIRE. ACKLEY HALL AND OTHER BUILDINGS IN CAMBRIDGE DESTROYED.

Cambridge, N. Y., Dec. 23. - This morning, at 2 o'clock, Ackley Hall, which was used as a roller skating rink, was discovered to be on fire. The flames spread rapidly, and it was found impossible to save the building, which was soon lapped up by the flames, which spread to the three-story brick building adjoining, owned by J. B. JERMAIN, of Albany, and occupied by E. N. TEFFT, grocer, on the first floor. The second story was occupied as a dwelling by H. O. BARTON and family. The third story was unoccupied. The JERMAIN building was destroyed, and the flames continued to spread eastward, fanned by a furious southwest wind. The next building in the path of the flames was a three-story brick building owned by HARVEY CARPENTER and occupied by LeGRYA & WORTH as a jewelers' store on the first floor. The second floor was used as a carpet room by MR. CARPENTER. The third floor was occupied by ASA MEAD as sleeping apartments. In a short time this building was also destroyed. The flames then spread to the CARPENTER Block, a handsome brick structure, which soon fell in. The Union Hotel, across the street, was the next building to burn. The hotel was a wooden building three stories high, and it burned like tinder. The cinders flew in showers upon the roofs of other buildings in the vicinity. The hotel was destroyed in about an hour. At this time the fire was raging on both sides of Main street. On the south the flames had communicated to the CARPENTER block, next east of the store occupied by LeGRYS & WORTH. The block was entirely destroyed. The CARPENTER Building was occupied by H. CARPENTER & Son, dry goods and groceries, on the first floor. The second story was occupied by MISS JENNIE REID, millinery rooms. E. M. DEWEY occupied the third story as sleeping apartments. This building was also destroyed. The LeGRYS and WORTH building could have been saved had there been sufficient water facilities.

Cambridge is a village of about 1,600 inhabitants. It has no water works. A stream runs through the burned section, which is at the west end, but as the only engine in the place was frozen up that supply of water could be utilized to no great extent. The Fire Department consists of five paid employes. The dwelling of IRA STROUD, east of the CARPENTER building, caught fire several times from sparks which the gale carried in all directions, but it was saved from destruction.

The following are the losses and insurance so far as can be learned:

P. W. ELDRED, on Union House, loss, $15,000; insurance, $10,000.
H. S. LEE, proprietor Union House, loss, $10,000; insurance $5,000.
D. M. SMITH, druggist, loss, $10,000; insurance $7,600.
LeGRYS & WORTH, loss on stock, $2,000; insurance, $3,750.
CHASE & HOLLAND, druggists, loss, $3,500; insurance $2,500.
DR. CLARK, loss on library and furniture, $1,200; insurance, $500.
COLTON & Co., undertakers, loss $1,400; insurance $900.
WILLIAMS & Co., druggists, loss, $2,500; insurance $2,500.
QUINN & WATKINS, loss, $2,000 on building and stock; insured for the full amount.
DR. NIVER, loss, $500; insurance $100.
WILEY & VAN OSTRAND'S, skating rink, loss $500; insurance $500.
ROBINSON clothing store, on building, loss, $4,000; insurance, $3,300; stock, loss, $5,000; insurance, $3,000.
J. B. JERMAIN building, loss, $5,000; insurance, $2,500.
TEFFT, loss on stock, $300; no insurance.
JENNIE REID, millinery, loss, $300; no insurance.
ROBERT COULTER and D. M. SMITH, Ackley Hall building, loss, $20,000; insurance, $8,700.
H. CARPENTER, loss on stock, $16,000; on buildings, $10,000; insurance on stock, $13,000; on building, $3,000.
D. M. SMITH, on stock, loss, $11,000; insured for $7,000.

This is the third disastrous fire in Cambridge within 18 years. Each time the fire has swept nearly the same territory. There are virtually two villages - one east and the other west of the railroad track. Some of the burned buildings will be rebuilt, but not all. The centre of business has been for some years moving away from the district which was the scene of the fire.

The New York Times
New York, New York
December 24, 1884

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