The Price of Living on the Hill

The residence of C. E. Bowman, at the corner of Benjamin street and Orange avenue, on the top of Queen Anne hill, was burned at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, together with most of the furniture, the total loss being about $3,500. The family was at lunch when a neighbor rushed to the door and yelled that the house was on fire. Mr. Bowman ran out and saw the blaze burning up alongside the kitchen chimney. He climbed up on the roof and attempted to arrest the flames, but without avail. A telephone alarm was sent in, but by the time the chemical engine reached the top of the long, steep hill, the building was all ablaze and beyond all hope of saving the slightest remnant of it. A line of hose was run up from an engine stationed at the end of the Front street cable line, but the house was in cinders before this feat was accomplished. The family and neighbors succeeded in getting out the parlor furniture, including the piano, but everything else was consumed. The house cost $4,000 and was insured for $2,500, and the furniture was insured for $300. The value of the furniture lost was about $500. Mr. Bowman will rebuild as soon as his insurance is adjusted. The question of having fire protection for this portion of the city has been discussed for a long time, but nothing has been done, and every building that takes fire up there is almost sure to be destroyed before the department can reach it. Citizens of that part of the city have become indignant at the long delay in giving them an engine and will urge immediate action upon the council.