Old News Alpena Argus

29 June, 1871 - Alpena Argus DESTRUCTIVE FIRES The Woods South of Alpena in Flames: The Residence of J.A. Case barely escapes Ruin with a Damage of $300. Damage to Cambell's Lumber Track about $150. Wm. Waltenbury's house and Contents Burned to the Ground. The House of a Mr. Hoy in Ashes! About 2 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon an alarm of fire was given, and the steamer was immediately on the way to the scene of action, which was about half a mile south-west of the main paart of the city. The woods had been fired west of this place, and a strong, westerly wind prevailing at the time, soon swept the flames toward the Bay Shore in the direction of Campbell's dock. It was some time after the engine arrived before any water could be thrown upon the fast spreading elements, owing to the shallowness of the water in the Bay. - But this obstacle was soon overcome, and in a few minutes two streams were playing with good effect. The smoke and heat were intense and the brave firemen could stand it but a few minutes at a time to hold the pipes before they had to be relieved by others. All supposed the fire to be in a position where it could be held, (it having reached the rear of the lots on the west side of State Street,) when it was discovered that the residence of Jas. A. Case was on fire, some of the cinders having blown to the rear of the building and fallen among some saw-dust behind a work bench, and the flames run from the ground, between the siding and plaster, to the garret, and when first seen the smoke was issuing from the roof. The streams were instantly turned upon the house, and it was the work of but a few moments to flood the whole building, from garret to floor, and, although the fire had gained great headway, it was soon quenched, Mr. Case estimates his loss at about $300, which is covered, we believe, by insurance. After the fire in Mr. Case's house was put out, the firemen again turned their attention to the burning woods, and all worked faithfully till about half-past 7 o'clock, when the fire was about subdued, and the firemen were tired out. Some cinders were blown under the barn of Mr. Crowell, but were soon extinguised. The residence of Mr. J. Hunt caught fire several times, but, we believe, sustained no serious damage. The fire crossed the railroad used by Mr. Cambell for conveying lumber from the mill to the dock, (a distance of about one mile,) burning and damaging it to the amount of $150. The steamer worked to perfection, and did better execution than many thought it capable of, thus saving an immense amount of property. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon our worthy firemen, as they woked with a will, and to the satisfaction of all. It was thought at one time that another fire had broke out in the west part of the city, but fortunately it was only a rumor. During the afternoon a dense smoke was seen north of the city, and in the evening our reporter learned that the residence of Wm. Waltenbury, a farmer, living three miles north of this city, had burned to the ground, together with its contents, consisting of three barrels of flour, a large quantity of pork and other provisions, all the household furniture, etc. Even the hens, hogs and geese on the premises were consumed in the flames, so rapidly did they spread. The loss will probably reach the amount of $1,200, with no insurance. Mr. Waltenbury is a hard working, industrious man, and the loss falls very heavily upon him. The house of a Mr. Hoy, in the same locality, was also destroyed, together with its contents. Many others in that vicinity sustained serious losses by the burning of wood, post, etc. A short distance from the above, P. Cicero had his new house, partly finished, completely destroyed. James Demster, living about five miles north-east of this city, had his house, barn and other out buildings, with all their contents, burned to the ground, the family barely escaping with their lives. Mr. Demster's loss is probably about $2,000. The residents at Campbellville were all obliged to turn out and fight fire in order to save the mills and houses. At this writing the fire is still raging in different localities and men are yet hard at work trying to subdue the flames. 29 June, 1871 - Alpena Argus One of Dr. Seman's children is very sick. 29 June, 1871 - Alpena Argus IN GOOD HANDS - A young man named Martin Butler, was, on Wednesday of last week, taken from the steamer, Marine City, very much sick with derangement of the brain, He was taken to the Globe Hotel, where, under the care of the gentlemanly landlord, R.J. Beach, and the medical treatment of Dr. Roe, he is slowly but surely recovering. 20 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus Bunday & Johnson have dissolved co-partnership, and the business will be closed up by Mr. Johnson> 20 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus C. Burrell is building a shanty in the rear of the Burrell House. 20 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus H. Hyatt is about to erect a new dwelling on the rear end of the lot now occupied by his bakery. 20 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus The work on Bogg's new hotel is progressing nicely 20 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus Mrs. Noicholson's new house has been painted and is now being fitted up inside. 20 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus Duncan Scott is building a new house in the First Ward. 20 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus ACCIDENT - On Monday Thos. Welch, an old soldier, who lost a one leg in the army, arrived in this city on the Galena, having been to Detroit, and while being conveyed to his home, about four miles in the country, fell from the buggy and broke his collar bone. He was brought back. and the bone was set by Dr. Seaman. The patient is now doing well. 27 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus Mr. M. Macartney was brought home on the Galena, Sunday night, very sick with asthma. 27 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus E. Harrington, who has been quite sick for the past week, is now improving, and will undoubtedly be about again soon. 27 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus Jas. Monaghan was tried before Justice Stout last week, for assault and battery upon Constable Crowley. Fines $10 and costs. 27 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus Thos. Ryan was arrested last week, on complaint of his wife, for assault and battery, but the case was put over until to-day, which it will be brought up before Justice Stout, for hearing. 27 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus BURGLARY - On Monday night some rascal entered the house of Geo. W. Hawkins, on the north side, and stole a watch, four shirts, and $75.00 in money. The same night one of our citizens chased a man in his stocking feet, about a quarter of a mile, but lost sight of him on Water street. 27 July, 1871 - Alpena Argus ACCIDENTS - Last Thursday, C. Burrell had his foot badly crushed by a sledge slipping from the handle, at Barlow's mill, and he was taken to the office of Dr. Wilkinson, where the foot was properly dressed, and is now doing as well as can be expected. Last Thursday two boys were playing with an axe, when one of them cut off two of the fingers of his companion, Alfred Beryo. Dr. Roe was called, and it was found necessary to amputate one of the fingers. Last Saturday Mrs. Hawley. living some eleven or twelve miles in the country, while out with some of the other members of the family, to gather berries, Mrs. H., against the advise of others, having taken a shot gun with her, and as she attempted to get through a fence, the hammer of the gun caught on something, discharging, and the whole contents of the gun in her face, inflicting a dangerous wound. Part of the lower and upper jaws was shot away and one eye put out, some of the shot passing out beck of the ear, and others lodging near the eye. Dr. Roe was called upon, and he sought the assistance of Dr. McTavish, who dressed the wound, and the patient is now in a oprecarious condition, lying at the house of J.A. Case, in this city, where all is being done that can be to relieve the sufferer. On Tuesday afternoon, as Peter Mason, who was employed in Luce's mill, was cutting up slabs, he got too near the large cog-wheets, and his pants caught and he was drawn into the cogs, which which tore his left leg in a frightful manner. The wound was dressed by Dr, McTavish, and it is hoped the unfortunate man will soon be about again. Andrew Rust, while at Gilchrist's mill, on Tuesday, slipped and injured his leg so that it was necessary to carry him home. 6 February 1872 - Alpena Argus Last Tuesday Mr. and Mrs. Ed Vail went to John Newton's, about two and a haf miles from this city, on awn afternoon's visit leaving their little boy, Eddie, five years old, at home, with the mumps. The boy, not wishing to stay at home, started out on foot, and when he reached the house of Mr. Newton, he was so cold that he could barely speak, but it seems that his journey and exposure did him no harm. 13 February 1872 - Alpena Argus On Wednesday last a singular and serious acident occurred to Julius Mayville, aged three years, son of Abraham Mayville. The child while running across the floor, stumbled and fell, breaking his left thigh bone within two inches of the body. Dr. Maiden was called and set the limb, but says he has very little hopes of the child's recovery, it having been sickly and delicate ever since its birth.