Gainesville, Florida, USA
1884 - Varnum House Fire

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., May 3. - The Times-Union Gainesville special says: A fire starting in the Varnum House spread thence across the entire square west of the court house, destroying every building in its way. It then swept across Liberty street, burring the Arlington House, a splendid winter hotel, with a building in the rear. The estimated value of the buildings consumed, mostly wood, is $40,000. The value of stocks and contents is not learned. There is a rumor that a child was burned to death in one of the buildings. The fire is summoned to have been caused by a tramp put out of the Varnum House the night before.

Evening Observer
Dunkirk, New York
May 5, 1884

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