For the third time Adams has met with a heavy loss by fire, probably the greatest in its history.  A few minutes before two o'clock this morning, fire was discovered in Chandler & Lamson's store by Dr. R. T. Kirkland and Fred Lee.  An alarm was immediately given and the fire engine was out promptly, first being placed near the millpond back of E. Cook's store.  The water in the pond was so low, however, that they could not reach it, and it was moved to the reservoir opposite the Huson House.  At first it seemed as tho' the firemen would control the fire, but it soon became evident that they could not and a dispatch was sent to Watertown for help.  The fire spread rapidly, taking in J. O. Brown's grocery store, Arms & Hungerford's and D. E. Taylor's dry goods stores, A. W. Kirby's clothing store and Ripley's boot and shoe store until the road was reached.  It was thought at the time that the building could be save, but when the reservoir on the north side of the creek was pumped dry, the company were compelled to move in the reservoir on the south side and directed their efforts to preventing the fire spreading south; which: they finally succeeded in doing, but not before H. E. Fox's drug store, John H. Gilbert's clothing store, Chas. Clark's saloon and Loren Ripley's harness shop were burned.
They succeeded in stopping the fire at Union block, which by the way is a wooden one, while those that burned were brick.  At two minutes before five the Watertown company No. 2 and part of No. 3 arrived with No. 2's steamer.  They were delayed in procuring a platform car on which to place their engine and at Adams Center waited six minutes to pass train No. 3.  This delay is what lost us our Institute Building formerly known as the Cooper House block.  If they had arrived a few minutes earlier, it would have been saved.  However, they prevented the fire from spreading any further, and undoubtedly saved Huson House, and private dwellings of Railroad street.  As far as we can assess at the present writing, the losses are as follows: Adams Collegiate Institute - $10,000, insurance $6,000; Prof. G. B. Rhodes had $600 insurance in his household goods which will cover his loss.  Wm. Daily, the janitor of the institute lost all household good was covered by insurance.  L. J. Bullock's stock millinery goods were nearly all removed, loss covered by insurance, W. A. Overton's grocery stock was nearly all removed and loss well covered by insurance.  N. A. Barney's stock was nearly all removed and loss covered by insurance.  D. A. Dwights three stores in Institute block were appraised at $6,000, insurance $4,000.  The goods in Ripley's shop were nearly all removed and insured.  The stock in Taylor's dry goods store were nearly all removed, and the loss will be covered by insurance.  Maxon & Ramsdell saved their library and valuable papers.  Mrs. McNeal saved but little from her millinery rooms.  The block occupied by Kilby and Ripley were owned by Charles Chrisand, valued at $6,000, insurance $4,000.  Arms Y Hungerford were unable to move but a little large stock of dry goods and probably are the heaviest losers.  Loss $2,500, insurance $1,600.  Not a thing was saved from J. O. Brown's grocery stock which was valued at $6,000, with an insurance of $3000.  Chandler & Lamson lost their entire stock valued at $6,000, with about $3,000 insurance.  H. E. Fox saved some of his drug stock, which was valued at $5,000 with $3,000 insurance.  W. H. H. Taylor lost his law library and all his law papers, no insurance.  C. W. Snow, billiard room, loss $1,000, insurance $500.

The block occupied by Arms & Hungerford was owned by E. J. Wait, valued at $4,000 with $2,500 insurance.  The store occupied by J. O. Brown was owned by Mrs. A. B. Huson, valued at $3,500, insurance $2,500.  The store occupied by H. E. Fox was owned by Erastus Hale's estate, insurance $4,000, loss $2,000.  The store occupied by John H. Gilbert was owned by a. B. Gilbert on which there was no insurance.  Chas. Clark removed most of the stock in his saloon.  The stock of Loren Ripley's harness shop was also removed.  The building was owned by D. B. Lockwood, valued at $4,000, insurance $2,500.  Geo. Horth's store adjoining was not burned, but damaged to some extent as well as stock.  R. T. Kirkland, dentist, lost about $800, with $500 insurance.
 

THE FIRE To the citizens of Adams, a sermon on "The Fire" at the Presbyteriean church, Sunday evening, by the pastor.  All invited to consider the lessons of the Fire. Had our village been possessed of proper facilities for fighting fire, a large number of buildings would have been spared as their was little wind.  When will our people awake to the necessity of procuring something with which to properly fight the fire demon.  Let us arouse from our Rip Van Winkle sleep in this matter and do something.  Now is the time for action. W. A. Overton has moved his stock of grocery goods into a store in Sanders' new block.

Many thanks are rendered to the boys of Watertown Fire department who rendered such effective service in checking the fire.   Hon. L. L. Hunt met with a loss of $500 on his law library.  But few volumes were saved out of the Holley public library.   John H. Gilbew saved the greater part of his clothing, loss covered by insurance.   D. E. Taylor and A. D. Ripley have rented one half of J. S. Brown & son's block and are moving their stock.