ANOTHER GREAT FIRE.
Since this directory has been in press, Atlantic has suffered another loss by fire, which occurredon Christmas morning, 1880, beginning at 2 o'clock.All the business houses in block 27, east side of Chestnut, between 4th and 5th streets, were destroyed. In another part of this book, the new locations of firms removed from the burnt district, may be found. Temporary buildings are already in progress, to serve until spring, when the entire block will doubtless be built up with brick.
THE FIRE'S START.
The fire had its origin in the back room of the building occupied by P. Rathbun, confectioner; and W. I. Winters, 99 cent store. It is the general opinion that the building was fired by the torch of an incendary. The building first fired was owned by C. Egbert, a merchant in Audubon. It was a story-and-a-half wooden structure. From that building the flames spread both south and north into the adjoining buildings, but were kept from destroying the city jail, the fire department hall or any of the buildings in the same block which fronted on Walnut street. Before the fire had gotten a very great start on Richard and Montgomery's building occupied by Dr. Montgomery, (druggist) the building was torn down, which served to prevent the fire from being communicated across Fifth street to Day, Crouch & Co's harness and saddlery establishment. The fire made such slow progress, that nearly all the goods were carried out and saved.
Transcribed from "
General Directory of the City of Atlantic 1880-1881. Giving a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Business Firms, Educational, Social, and Religious Institutions", compiled by Glenn & Co., Atlantic, Iowa, Telegraph Steam Printing Press, 1880, pp. 12-13 by Cheryl Siebrass. September, 2014.
