1880 The Hudson House Fire

"The disaster which was prophesied in the Hudson Pioneer of August 9, 1879, unless certain specific precautions were taken, has occurred, and property holders and insurance companies may thank their lucky stars that the loss is not many times greater than it is, that the business part of our beautiful town is not devastated, and our dearest business interests sadly wrecked.  Fortunately there was no wind, only gentle zephyrs, and to this circumstance, and to this alone, can be attributed Hudson’s escape from immediate financial ruin.  At fifteen minutes past eleven Sunday night the ringing of Eureka’s bell stirred a few wakeful citizens from their beds, but the sharp and continued toots of whistles shortly after, called a good portion of the community to the scene of a rapidly spreading conflagration.  The fire was first discovered in a small out building attached to the west end of Main St. block and at that time could easily have been extinguished with a single pail of water.  Someone foolishly smashed a window, giving vent and draft to the flames, which rapidly spread themselves over the rear of Wm. Chase’s tenements, communicating to the tin shop, and open stairway leading from the outside to the story above. Fred Strong, occupant of the tin shop, and also occupant with his family of the upper story, had barely enough time to escape with his family, everything save $5 in his pocket going down in the general wreck, though he may be able to recover something from the ruins.

Charles E. Walker, boot and shoe dealer, is left destitute, having lost, in addition to his stock, $1,160. Which happened to be in the pocket of pants left hanging in the room until he could remove his wife, who for several years has been an invalid, for the past year been confined to her room and only the previous evening brought from her fathers Wm. Chase’s to the tenement over her husband’s store.  When he returned it was impossible for him to secure his money, or even a pair of shoes.

The progress of the flames from the start was rapid, aided only by the rarefied air induced by the fire, and one after another the tenants assisted by citizens, removed their effects as rapidly as possible, though of course at a considerably damaged condition.  While this was going on the Fire dept. was by no means idle, but responded as promptly as could be expected, the Eurekas laying a line of hose before the fire broke out and the Independents laying another along side.  The machine was set at the Tannery pond the suction unfortunately settling into mud and weeds, clogging and otherwise interfering with her playing.  No sooner was the suction hose cleared than several lengths of hose burst causing still further delay, so that a full half hour passed before an effective stream was put upon the fire. At just about this time a stream from condemned No.2, another from Brigham’s  and still another from the Tannery pump reached the fire at different points, which fire by this time was spread over fully one third of the block.  But an additional difficulty had now to be met.  Tongues of fire were seen along the eaves of the Hudson House.  Slowly, almost painfully slow, they increased in number and size.  A single stream played upon this building at the proper time would have saved it, but when this was done it was too late.  The facts are there wasn’t one available, the Engineers not daring to withdraw a particle of their force from the block as the fire here was at it’s height, and churches and large manufactories directly in it’s possible track.  As soon as it was evident that the progress of the flames was checked, the brick Shop stream was turned on to the hotel, the hose men fighting the fire from the top of Underwood’s store.

On the east side, the fire had crept to the basement, and here in Arnolds Market it ran wild gathering to itself fresh force. Since the commencement of the conflagration the ringing of the bells and the screeching of the steam whistles had been continuous, and people from all of the adjoining towns came on foot and carriages.  D.F. Pope had driven back and forth through Marlboro giving the alarm and starting the entire department.

The Hooks and Okommakamesit Engine Co. accompanied by most of the members of the department and the entire board of Engineers came to Hudson’s relief, and it was well they did, as without their timely help the limit of the fire can only be conjectured.  The coolness, courage, and determination of these veterans won the admiration of all observers and the enduring gratitude of all unprejudiced citizens. It is sufficient to say that the additional help and wisdom in management they brought to us, checked the fire at Underwood’s , the Hudson House being totally consumed the fire on the east being kept within the block.

 What proportion of the loss is due to the heartless, lazy, selfish, gaping element in our midst it is impossible to estimate.  Men in official capacity were constantly passing among the multitude trying to persuade them to relieve the faithful and exhausted firemen at the brakes, but with a limited number of creditable exceptions they failed to respond. More than this the gallant men of the Marlboro fire department who made the run with their machine in 35 minutes were obliged to work the brakes of their machine for more than half an hour after their arrival and in fact most of the time during the fire the mass of Hudsonians to their burning shame be it said, refusing to lend a hand to save property in their own town. Those who did do their duty need take to themselves none of the censure which will and ought justly fall upon the heads of those who refused to do neighborly duty.  A few arrests would have brought them to their senses and duty; in fact it isn’t too late now.  Large forces of men were engaged in watching and protecting public buildings and dwelling houses, and shops in the vicinity, and it is fortunate that they did, as the Town House was ablaze on the roof at two different times, and the old Baptist Church once, the air being dense with burning cinders and shingles, some of which were found a mile away. The heat from the Hudson House was intense cracking the large plate and other glass in Jefts Block almost igniting what little wood work there is about the windows and damaging the building nearly $1000.  The event in question has demonstrated that it is not only economy to the individual but an advantage and protection to communities to build of brick, stone and slate, as Jefts Block if it had been of wood would surely have fallen before the fire fiend leading to a still greater disaster. The preservation of the Town House was due to the open space in front and to the water tank and sanded paint. Losses by the sufferers are named as follows: James H. Sawyer, Hudson House, loss $18,000. Charles S. Arnold, Meat Market, loss $500. L.R. Lovering, barber, loss $500. Wm. Chase, two tenements, loss $2800. Charles E. Walker loss $3000. F.W. Strong stoves, and tin ware. A.L. Maynard, loss $1200. Paul Randall, loss $1600. J.J. Underwood, loss $500. L.T. Jefts, loss $800. Henry May, loss, $1200. Ed. Miles, loss, $100. Jonas Houghton, loss $1200. Stedman Nourse, loss $1200. Obed Rice, loss on building $1200. Other tenants lost in injured and destroyed furniture and in jewelry, but to what extent they are not yet able to state.   The Hudson House fell in at two o’clock, at three o’clock the fire was under control and the crowd began to disperse. At four o’clock the Marlboro firemen , nearly 300 in all were taken to the Town Hall and fed with coffee and crackers and cheese served by a corps of ladies, after which Hudson firemen were fed. Marlboreans gave cheer on cheer for our town and Department. At daylight the ruins, the Town House lawn and the streets approaching the scene of the fire presented a scene of great disorder, household furniture being scattered in every direction. In point of personal behavior all did themselves honor, scarcely any drunkenness being not found.

There are several side issues which we have not time, space or inclination to touch. Circumstances in our opinion point to incendiarism. It is also certain there is a grave neglect on our part as a community to protect ourselves, or on the part of our representative to protect us. We are inexcusably deficient in the quantity and quality of hose, in water facilities, and in portable forcing power. Our principal business thoroughfare melting before a conflagration, and three steam pumps lying still for lack of hose. Think of it citizens, and remember the following warning published in the Hudson Pioneer, Aug 9, 1879, and republished two or three weeks later. Can we move too quick!

Hudson’s Fire Department and Water Supply. This was the caption of the editorial article in the Hudson Pioneer of Aug. 16, 1879, which attracted so much attention at the time and has an increasing pertinence at this trying hour. It began by calling attention to the fact that men seem to need some startling catastrophe to stir them out of their prevalent apathy. The great lesson of the McKenzie fire at that time was that people should rise en masse and protect their lives and property by legislating additional forcing apparatus and additional and more convenient water facilities. To allow everything to hinge upon the chance that no mishap should befall Eureka engine was characterized as supreme carelessness. Over a year has rolled away and nothing has been done to avert a recurrence of dire disaster by fire save to construct a couple of reservoirs, now ready or partially ready for use. These were recommended with still others at the time; but equally important recommendations were left unheeded, and now the innocent have the bills to pay in the shape of well nigh irretrievable loses. What was then recommended and urged in addition? Let us read and see: Additional or reserve forcing power should be provided at once. If it is not feasible to patch up No. 2, why not a companion engine to No. 1 or maybe a steamer? This is not an expense the town cannot bear, but just as essential and sensible as the purchase of a safe by the Hudson Savings Bank, a sufficiently strong police force, or wise sanitary regulations. The Department should receive more or less practice, so as to ensure promptness and harmony of action; the Independent and Houghton Hose Co.’s should both be provided with first class hose, and an abundance of it, and receive practice in coupling on to the force pumps at Tripp’s, Brigham’s, Houghton’s, and the Tannery; in fact, someone should see to it that the entire Department has everything that could be possibly needed in an extensive conflagration, and that it is in constant and perfect working order; should examine certain localities and see if any precautions are needed. For instance the old block on Main street with other wooden building in the rear, would melt before a fire like ice beneath the summer sun, carrying in the general wreck more modern and valuable buildings on either side of it. Is there nothing it would be wise to do in anticipation of such an event? These suggestions would require a present expenditure of money, but who can foresee the great value or saving thereby."