A FRAME TENEMENT AND BOARDING HOUSE BURNED-1870

PAYNE, HOWARD, GRAFF, GREEN, BOSTATER

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 5/21/2018 at 23:09:54

Dubuque Daily Times, Tuesday, May 10, 1870, Dubuque, IA, Page: 4

ANOTHER FIRE

A FRAME TENEMENT AND
BOARDING HOUSE BURNED

Destruction of a Large Amount of Property

The fire fiend still delights to make his presence manifest in Dubuque, striking here and there with a vindictiveness truly appalling to those who possess property liable to burn. A few days ago we were called upon to chronicle the burning of the mill of the Dubuque Lumber Co., and this morning we add to the black list the large two story frame building, corner Fourth and Clay, occupied as a boarding and tenement house, by Mr. Graff, and owned by Mrs. C. Payen. About 3 1/2 o’clock Monday morning last, fire was discovered in the northwest corner, breaking out through the roof. The alarm was promptly given and the fire department, with a large force of citizens, were soon on the spot, but the flames had got under such headway before being discovered that it was found impossible to check them, and in a brief space of time the whole building was cleaned out entirely, nothing being left standing but the front wall on Clay Street. Closely connected with the tenement house on the north, was another frame building, formerly used as a rustic shade factory, which also fell and easy prey to the devouring element. This was owned by Mrs. Payen and was occupied by Bostater & Green as a carpenter shop, while the floor above had just been taken by Mr. Jo Howard, the well-known city bill poster, who moved his household goods in there only last Saturday. So rapid was the spread of the flames that Mr. Howard had only time to get out his wife and babies. All their clothing, books and furniture were destroyed, with the exception of one mattress, table and trunk. He places his loss at about $500, and at this moment of supreme grief has not a cent of insurance to comfort him. Joseph had his furniture fully insured some time ago, but in an unguarded moment he let the policy lapse and is now cut out of everything. It is rather a hard blow but Joseph is full of pluck and declares that he will not strike his colors to gaunt misfortune just yet.

How the fire originated is not yet known, but it is generally believed to be the work of an incendiary. We understand that a brick block of spacious dimensions will soon occupy the site of the burnt district.