Cosmopolis Town Hall Razed by Careless Cigarette
A discarded cigar stub destroys the town's municipal center, prompting a rapid pledge to rebuild better.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Owing to an unknown party carelessly throwing a cigar stub on the street, the town hall of Cosmopolis was totally destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon. The fire was first discovered about 3 p.m., and before help could be had the building was consumed. It cost about $5,000 three years ago and was insured for $2,000. The Aberdeen fire department was wired for and went up by the Clan McDonald, but the fire was under control before it arrived. Two other buildings, one occupied by John O. Wilson, the other a shed, were also totally destroyed. A phrenologist who was to lecture that evening lost about $2,000 worth of property. A much better hall, costing $5,000, will be at once built.
“A much better hall, costing $5,000, will be at once built.”
The vulnerability of timber-frame towns to fire was a constant anxiety in 19th-century Washington. The swiftness with which the town council resolved to rebuild a '$5,000 hall' illustrates the booster mentality that defined early Pacific Northwest municipal development.
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