THE WICKERSHAM HOTEL BUILDING

The old hotel corner, after the building was destroyed by fire, remained vacant for some time. In the spring of 1880, Mr. Al Wickersham, one of Jamestown’s most enterprising and public-spirited citizens, commenced thereon the erection of a hotel building. The structure, which will soon be completed, is one hundred and twenty feet long, and forty feet wide, and two stories in height. Besides the office and dining room, it contains twenty-five sleeping rooms, and three store rooms. The total cost of erection exceeded $9,000. (1880-81 Prices)

THE BUSINESS INTERESTS

Is represented as follows: Dry goods, etc., J. H. Jenkins & Son., J. H. Adams & Co., S. A. Bottler & Co., M. T. McCreight, Charles Dingess; groceries, S. F. Evans, J. F. Johnson, George G. Shigley; hardware, Wickersham & McMillan; drugs, R. P. Strong, John T. Murphy; hotels, J. R. Parker, (American House), H. H. Long, (St Cloud Hotel), w. Mannington, (Wickersham House); boots and shoes, G. T. Ready; harness, Crane & Miers, E. Hixon; livery, S. T. Baker; blacksmithing, James A. Glass, Felix Rigglemap; furniture, John Zeiner; bakery, Geisler & Copenhaver; saw mill and lumber yard. J. L Ginn; grain elevator, Trebein & Co.; flouring mill, J. W. McMillen; photograph Gallery, Mr. Smith. (Fist Name Unk).

The first hatter in the town was one Culler. The first tailor, Ephraim Thaw, a German. The northwest corner of Main and Limestone streets, was first occupied by Thorp and Ballard, merchants, then by James Hibben. When again vacated, it was reoccupied by Thorp. It was next occupied by Edward Wickersham; after him came Syfers and Butler, then Syfers and Son, who tore away the old building, replacing it with a brick building which still stands, and is at present occupied as a saloon, and owned by Henry Deem.

City officials: Mayor, J. L. Crane; council, James Spencer, J. L. Ginn, James R. Paul, George McLaughlin, Demus Schrack, -- clerk, S. A. Harper; treasurer, S. F. Evans; street commissioner, Andy Chalmers.

CONFLAGRATIONS

Few settlements or communities have escaped from the perils of fire. In the record of the events of each year, accounts of the destruction of property by fire predominate. Until a comparatively recent date, this town was considered an exception to the general rule, but her turn came at last. On the night of the 18th of June, 1878, at 2 A. M., a fire broke out in the hardware store of Stephenson and Smith, on Limestone Street. The fire spread with alarming rapidity, and at 6 A. M., all the surrounding buildings were enveloped in the flames. The Adams block, J. F. Johnson’s dwelling, and the old --Hotel were burnt to the ground. The total loss was eighteen thousand dollars, one-half of which was covered by insurance.

On the morning of April 17, 1879, a fire broke out in the storeroom of James H. Glass, then occupied as a bakery and grocery by Jonathan Bargdell. The storeroom was entirely burned; then came Mrs. George Clark’s house, occupied by David McLain and family, and Dr. Torrence, immediately south, which was occupied as a dwelling, grocery, and doctor’s office - all burning; everything moveable in both houses, however, was saved. At this fire the loss aggregated about $4,000, one-fourth of which was insured. Thus was one square of buildings - except the blacksmith shop destroyed. However, the energetic parties who had sustained the loss, did not become discouraged, and soon the destroyed buildings were replaced by more imposing structures.

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