All articles are from the Ontario Reformer
December 6, 1872
A short time ago a horse was advertised in the Reformer as strayed. It had been missing for some weeks, and no clue to its whereabouts could be obtained till the day after the “ad” appeared, when the owner saw it and got his horse. One day this week a man came in to advertise a steer which had strayed on to his premises. Before the advertisement appeared in print the owner had his animal. If you want anything made known bring your advertisement to the Reformer office. We presume the reason why the last anumal was recovered so soon was, the “ad” was paid for in advance.
December 6, 1872
Births
In Oshawa, on the 3rd inst., the wife of Thomas Hopper, of a son.
In Oshawa, on the 4th inst, the wife of Mr. Parks, Bruce Street, of a son.
In Harmony, on the 3rd inst., the wife of Mr. Calston Horn, of a son.
In Oshawa on the 30th ult., the wife of Mr. Wm. Right, of a son.
Married
On the 27th ult., by the Rev. Wm. Scott Mr Thomas Hoskin Jr., of Oshawa, to Miss Eliza Jane, eldest daughter of the late Mr. John Colman, of Darlington
December 13, 1872
Terrible Conflegration (sic)
Oshawa ‘Chicagoed’
Fourteen places of business and seven dwellings destroyed
The fire supposed to be the work of an ifcendiary (sic)
The most fearful fire that ever took place in Oshawa was that of Sunday night last. About ten minutes after seven, a fire was discovered in the clothing store of Mr. Geo. Hodder, and the alarm was immediately given. The Fire Brigade was soon at the scenes of the conflagration, and at work; but, as usual, the water supply gave out, and the efforts of the firemen to confine the fire to the place where it originated proved unsuccessful. Quickly the flames spread, and soon the adjoining stores were enveloped with the devouring elements. It now became evident that the entire row of buildings, from Fitzmaurice’s drug store, around the corner, to Garth’s butcher shop, was doomed, unless a good supply of water could be obtained. There were three engines at work, Oshawa No. 1 and 2 and the little chemical engine from the Hall Works, all doing well when they could obtain water. When it became evident that the fire was likely to spread as it did, endangering the whole town, Mr. C.W. Smith procured a horse and went for the Whitby steam fire engine, having first made arrangements for a team to meet the engine on its way down. Inside of an hour and ten minutes after Mr. Smith left for Whitby, the steamer was playing on the fire, procuring water from the well at Black’s corner. And well did this little “Merryweather’ under the management of the noble Whitby Fire Brigade, do its work – nobly did the brigade work; and to-day the businessmen on the north side of King Street may thank the Whitby Fire Brigade for saving – with their engine – their property. Just before the Whitby engine arrived, it was fully expected that the Gibbs block would go, as the heat from the burning buildings was intense. In fact, in front of the Chisholm’s store, Blamey & Briggs’ store, and the top of Hind’s hotel, were on fire, but with the help of the ‘little chemical,’ the fire in the two stores was put out, and Hind’s was saved by the Whitby engine. All this time, the Oshawa Brigade, with old No. 1 and No. 2, was working as they always work – nobly. But what is the use of a fire engine without water! The Oshawa Hook and Ladder Company worked like ‘all out doors’ as they always do. The citizens, with a few exceptions, worked as if the property belonged to the doing all they could to save goods from the doomed stores. Men and boys ‘played horse’ and with wagons drew away the goods as fast as they could be loaded, to places of safety.
… The fire was, indeed bad; but how much worse might it have been. A few accidents happened to the firemen and others, but none of a serious nature. Let us be thankful that there were no lives lost.
…The persons who burst open Mr. Hoddor’s door distinctly state that the fire first started in the north-west corner of the shop, which would be as much as twelve or fourteen feet from the stove. What makes it certain that the fire could not have originated from any defect in the stove is, there was no fire in it from Saturday night; and the stove was cold when Mr. Hoddor left after closing.
There was no one in the shop, or, no one who had any business there, on Sunday but Mr. Hoddor’s boy, and that was about eight o’clock in the morning.
There appears to be no doubts whatever but that the fire was the work of an incendiary; but who the scoundrel is yet remains a mystery. A jury was empaneled on Tuesday last, and an investigation proceeded with, before Dr. Clark, coroner, and is yet going on, privately. A great many persons have been examined, but no evidence has been adduced which will criminate anyone. If any important is brought before the jury, we will make it known in our next issue.
Where to find them
The old customers (and as many new ones wish) of those of our merchants and business men who were compelled to move on Sunday night, on account of the ‘extreme heat’ will find them at the following places, for the present, where great bargains may be expected.
Trewin will be found in the store lately occupied by EB Wilcox, one door west of Wigg & Son’s furniture warerooms.
Dr. Deans will be found in the shop next door north of Taylor’s jewellery store.
Wm. Dickie will be found in the shop between Trewin’s and Gillett Bros.
JF Willox will be found up stairs, over W Lang’s store, one door west of Steele Bros.
JP Johnston will be found in part of H Wilkinson’s boot and shoe store, three doors east of Black’s hotel, till further notice.
R Fitchett will be found, on or after Monday next, in part of Keddie & Rice’s new store.
JJ Hall will be found at present at Hindes’ Hotel, where he will shave you as clean as he ever did.
Geo. Garth will be found in the place lately occupied by Mrs. Finney, next door to Shaw’s boot and shoe store.
J Barnard will be found two doors east of Black’s hotel.
JO & RH Henry will be found in the old stand, Simcoe St., next door to the Reformer Office.
The other parties have not, as yet, secured places.
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