Union City, IN Fire, May 1883

Many Houses Burned.

Heavy Losses Caused By Fire In Union City, Ind.-Poor Water-Works.

Union City, Ind., May 5.-A destructive fire broke out here last night about 6:30 o’clock, in the extensive lumber-yard and planing mills of Peter Kuntz & Co. The flames spread very quickly, owing to a high wind, and the unsatisfactory working of the water-works, and by 9 o’clock most of the western portion of the city was in ruins. The fire was first discovered in that section of the lumber-yard on Columbia-Street, near the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railroad Station, and it supposed the some inflammable material was ignited by a spark from an engine. All of the city between Kishbaum’s Corner and Kuhn’s Mill, on Pearl-street, being a territory several acres in extent, some portions of which, however, are vacant, while others are used as lumber-yards, was destroyed. Branham’s residence and restaurant were among the first buildings destroyed; then the Pan handle office, the lumber-yard, the large brick house north of it, and a long row of residences and business houses on Pearl-street to Kuhn’s Mill, where the flames were finally checked.

The following business houses were entirely destroyed; P. Kuntz & Co.’s lumber and planing mills, except one small mill, loss $150,000; Turpen & Harris, butter and egg packers, loss $5,000; J.F. Starbuck & Co., hardware loss $2,000; William K. Smith, boots and shoes, loss $1,500; J.D. Smith, jeweler, loss $15,000; William Branham, restaurant, loss $5,000; A. Lenox, restaurant, Pan Handle and Adams Express offices, freight and passenger station, and four or five box cars; Stewart & Wright, grocers, loss $5,000; Kennedy Heis, loss $2,500; John Barnes, loss $2,000; Dr. Slate, loss $2,500; R.A. Wilson, loss $1,500; N. Cadwallader, loss $500; T. Cavanaugh, loss $1,500; J.A. Test, loss $1,000; Charles Negley, loss $1,500; John McMahon, loss $1,000; A.T. Wiley’s grain-house, loss $1,000; William Wright, furniture loss $2,500.

A large number of other business houses and at least 12 or 15 residences were badly damaged by fire and water. The hose and reel company from Sidney, Ohio, came on a special train, but was unable to do anything, owing to trouble with the hydrants. The fire engine from Greenville, Ohio, arrived at 8:30 P.M. and did very good work, using water from the wells. The firemen worked vigorously, and at 11:30 o’clock, when the wind subsided, they were enabled to stop the fire after it had burned about five hours. No loss of life has been reported. The estimated loss is $250,000. The fire was seen from Richmond, Ind., 25 miles distant.

The New York Times, New York, NY 6 May 1883

__________________

Transcribed by June. Thanks June!