The Fire in Burlington - 1871

BOESCH, BELL

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 10/30/2015 at 10:47:26

Dubuque-Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, October 6, 1871
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The Fire in Burlington

BURLINGTON, Oct. 6, 1871

The fire here last night was the largest that ever occurred in the city. It broke out in Barlow’s planning mill and spread with great rapidity. It destroyed ex-Mayor Bell’s residence, two smaller ones, a foundry, a large lumber yard and the largest brewery in the city. Loss from $75,000 to $100,000; insurance about $20,000. The heaviest losers are Messrs. Boesch, proprietors of the brewery. Loss, $30,000; insurance only $8,000.

The scarcity of water rendered the efforts of the firemen unavailing.