Dover, NH City Hall Fire, Mar 1889

THE CITY HALL AND PUBLIC OFFICES THEREIN DESTROYED.

DOVER, N. H., March 22.---At 2:30 o'clock this morning fire was discovered near the furnace under the court room in the City Hall building. The flames spread rapidly, enveloping the entire building, in which were the police station, all the city and county offices, the Police Court room, the Aldermanic and Council Chamber, the High School Cadets' Armory, and the City Opera House. The walls lie flat, and the building is totally destroyed.

The Belknap Church property, close by, had the roof burned off and the steeple destroyed, and considerable other damage was done to the interior by water. St. Thomas's Episcopal Church was on fire several times, but was saved with small damage. Glidden's block was badly damaged by water, as were also the stores of J. R. Higgins and John Griffin.

The City Hall was built in 1867, and with the improvements made cost $71,000. It was insured for $25,000.

There were a number of casualties to the firemen. Hugh Hanna was struck by falling bricks on the head, had a cheekbone broken, and was otherwise bruised; James Varney was badly burned by a piece of blazing timber striking him on the neck and pinning him to the ground; David Hammond, a member of the Hook and Ladder Company, had a foot crushed, and Samuel Abbott will probably lose an eye, having been struck in the face by a powerful stream of water.

The damage to the city and county records stored in the vaults beneath the building cannot be learned. The wind was blowing hard during the progress of the fire and the sparks were carried half a mile.

The New York Times, New York, NY 23 Mar 1889
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!