Article regarding fires in Danbury after the "fire bug" from the New York Herald
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HOW FIRES HAVE HELPED DANBURY.
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They Have Resulted in a Superior Class of Buildings in Prominent Sections.
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AIDED REAL ESTATE VALUE.
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Insurance Companies Changing in Their Opinion of Risks in That City.
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EFFICIENT FIRE DEPARTMENT.
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{BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.}
Danbury, Conn., March 7, 1896
Danbury has had another conflagration. According to insurance men there is no other city in the State which has had more disastrous fires during the last decade than Danbury. In fact, this city has been placed on the black list of several insurance companies.
Danbury does not quite deserve this treatment, however, and it is slowly but surely living it down.
The city first acquired this reputation during the "reign of the firebug," as it is called, nearly seven years ago. Hardly a night passed for two months without an alarm of fire being sounded, and thousand dollars' worth of property went up in smoke. The firebug was never captured, but stopped his work suddenly, and has never again taken up the torch.
Fires did not cease with his so-called "reign," however, for many of Danbury's big fires have occurred since then. The fires during "the reign" were confined mostly to factories and barns, and were scattered all over the city. The large fires since then have all been in the mercantile section, and not a year has passed without several business blocks being reduced to ashes. The nature of the buildings destroyed, however, has been such that tends to make the losses seem out of proportion to the vast amount of valuable property covered by the different fires.
IMPROVEMENTS FOLLOW.
With one exception the fires within the last five years have been in buildings. In every instance where a wooden building has been destroyed a substantial brick structure has risen in its place. In this way the hazardous localities have been gradually reduced, and as a consequence the general risk has been lessened.
More improvements in real estate in the business section of the city have been made as the result of fires than in any other way. The majority of the most substantial business blocks are now standing on the sites of burned buildings. Real estate values have also been greatly enhanced.
When viewed in this light it can be seen that the extensive fire which destroyed $100,000 worth of property recently will be as advantageous to the city in the long run. Nine frail wooden structures where entirely destroyed, and in their places nine substantial brick buildings will be erected. The fire took place in the most dangerous locality in the city, where buildings of light and inflammable construction were crowded together. In the rear of the nine buildings which fronted the street where old factory buildings, barns, tenements and sheds, all of wood. This entire section was thoroughly cleaned out, and not so much as one timber was left standing.
The most deplorable thing about the fire was that it swept across the street and made a wreck of a substantial brick structure. This building, however, will be entirely restored.
HAS CHANGED HIS MIND.
An insurance inspector who recently made an examination of the city said White street was the most risky mercantile section of any in this part of the State. He was here recently, and after looking over the ruins caused by the latest fire, said he had altered his opinion, as the fire had brought about ther very improvement which he and many other insurance men had been hoping for.
A noticeable thing in summing up the losses and insurance was that few of the tenants had any insurance on their effects. The reason they gave for this was that the rates were so hight that it was too expensive an investment. Those who owned the property in the rear were unable to get any company to take risks on their buildings.
The Consolidaated Railroad is soon to erect a large and handsome union station a short distance from where the fire occurred, and will abandon the old station in Main street. This change will be another great improvement to this street.
Danbury's fires have resulted beneficially in another way. They have been the means of developing one of the best and most efficient fire departments in the State. And Danbury's firemen never did better work than they did at Tuesday's fire, and the city is justly proud of them
[end article]
Patrick Elliott's house on the corner of Sheridan and Triangle Streets, and a larger fire Elm Street. Two women, Mary Sherwood and her daughter jump from their burning building. Losses for the burned buildings are also given.
The City Charter passes the house and senate. Two amendments to the charter giving the mayor power to make all appointments to office, subject to confirmation by the common council, and allowing the charter to be submitted to the vote of the people were defeated.
Three column article on Danbury's history and governance. The article outlines in chronological order the events in the growth of the town and borough of Danbury starting with its first Charter in 1684 to 1889 when Danbury became a city.
Three column article outlining the duties of elected officers of the City of Danbury. The powers of the Mayor, Common Council, City Clerk, and City Treasurer are outlined in detail as well as the duties of appointed officers. Salaries of officers are also given.
The Committee on Cities and Boroughs granted Danbury a City Charter. The article outlines the number of aldermen to be chosen from each ward, the duration of their terms, and the number of councilmen to be elected from each ward. The mayor in the original charter was given the power to appoint all police officers. Under the City Charter the Aldermen had the power to confirm the appointments. Additional changes were made regarding committee appointments and responsibilities. In another article, Morris Meyers backs Frank Eastwood's appointment as engineer.
The fire in Freeland's livery stables on White Street were deemed suspicious. Fortunately the fire was under control in minutes by the Kohanza hose company.
Letters to the Editor regarding the proposed City Charter. L.D. Brewster explains some the reasons for the change in systems. Charles Doran (a Danbury Grocer of Irish decent) explains his support of a two tiered council where one body is elected by the entire city. H. M. Chittenden outlines his objections to the charter and Charles Doran replies to Mr. Brewster's comments on his previous Letter to the Editor regarding his objections to the City Charter. Also, a communication to the Warden and Burgesses from W. F. Taylor & Son, Borough Attorneys, stating two areas of concern in the proposed Charter also appears in the column.
A special business meeting was held in regard to petitioning the legislature for permission to issue bonds not to exceed $200,000. The Warden explained because the legislature convenes once in two years the necessity for funds during this time would be necessary to keep pace with Danbury's growth. Also, a committee was appointed to purchase a new fire engine.
One brief article reporting results of the Aldermen's meeting, and the Mayor's appointment of M. F. Kinney of Grand Street to be a special policeman. The appointment was confirmed.
A meeting was called by Warden Hopkins to decide whether to accept or reject the City Charter to be presented to the legislature. Many favored the charter while others favored it with amendments, and others who wanted the charter voted down. After much discussion, the City Charter with amendments was approved and adopted by the meeting.
An unknown arsonist used kerosene to start a fire at the Foster home. Fortunately, several men, who are boarders in the house, discovered the fire and were successful in extinguishing it before much damage was done.
Andrew Lindstrum, intoxicated and tired of living, attempted suicide by jumping into the Still River. John Brigham waded into the river and saved Lindstrum. Officer Bradley arrived and took Lindstrum to the police station.
A petition from L. D. Brewster and others to call for a special borough meeting to consider the possibility of securing a city charter at the next general assembly.
Crofutt and Sunderland sued the city of Danbury for the reward money, which the city offered, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of parties involved in setting or attempting to set fires in Danbury during 1888-1889. Both claimed they were instrumental in the arrest and conviction of the arsonist but the city refused to pay them the reward money. In the end the Superior Court ruled in favor of Crofutt and Sunderland.
A committee from the New England Insurance Exchange investigated Danbury's facilities for extinguishing fires and makes suggestions for improvements necessary for the proper protection of the town. One of the suggestions is for a paid department.
Short mention of William Smith of Morris St. shot himself. He was a hatter and reported to be disabled without the ability to work. He left a wife and 3 children and was a veteran of the Civil War.
Reports of fires from June20-July 18, 1888. Included also is a story from July 11 when a member of the Washington Hook and Ladder company found that someone had sabotaged their hose. The act was considered "dastardly."
Nearly a full page article on what the headline claims is the most serious fire in the history of Danbury. The origin of the fire is not stated and is not attributed to the "Fire Bug."
The Plan of Development, adopted by the Planning Commission in March, 1980, provided general direction for the future development of Downtown Danbury. It is recommended that the Planning Department with the guidance of the CBD Coordinating Panel develop a Downtown Action Plan which will guide public and private investment decisions in the future.
Two full page columns dedicated to the celebration of Danbury's new status as as City and the aftermath of its first elections. Descriptions of how each neighborhood was decorated.
Two short articles from the Danbury News regarding the activities of the Order of United American Mechanics, a nativist group which had an office in Danbury.
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