IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. 1.0 I.I 1.25 M 2.0 1.8 U ill 1.6 V] & /a >>^ /^ Photograpliic Sciences Corporation J. \ ^> V ^<b V Q> 23 v;est main street wi:bster,m y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^A '\'- CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may p*ter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ D Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde I I Cover title missing/ D D D Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relid avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, torsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cat exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mithode normale de filmage sont indiquis ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur^es et/ou pelliculies y Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqu^es I I Pages detached/ D Pages ddtachdes Showthrough, Transparence Quality of prir Qualiti indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary materia Comprend du materiel suppiementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible ~T| Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ j I Only edition available/ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totaiement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 film^es i nouveau de facon A obtenir la meilleure image possible. 1 s 1 v d e b ri n n This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X SOX _y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Seminary of Quebec Library L'exemplaire filmA fut reproduit grice ii la gin^rositi de: Siminaire de Quebec Bibliothdque The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in Iceeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —i»>( meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. IVIaps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les images suivantas ont 6t4 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at de la netteti de l'exemplaire film*, at en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimte sont filmte en commen^ant par le premier plat at en terminant soit par la darniire page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmte en commen^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniAre page qui comporte uno telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la derniAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols •-*> signifie "A SUIVRE ", le symboie V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmte d des taux de rMuction diffdrants. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film^ d partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Las diagrammes suivants iliustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 **•"■•' / tLl-^t' ^CCJC J^(%^^^x V^/ui^ ^Azp< <i^ m Biblioth^ue. Le Sfeminaire de Qu6be|i °'~3. TU© d© I'UniveMitfc Q«6bec 4. QUBi THE DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF TBI ROMAN CATHOLIC CAT EPISCOPAL RESIDENCE, AND ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE DIRECTED BY THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS, TOGETHER WITH MUCH OF THEIR CONTENTS, INCLUDING CHURCH FUR- NITURE, SACRED VESSELS, BISHOP'S LIBRARY, ETC., ETC., AT CHATHAM, MIRAMIGHI, N. B., FEB. 14, 1878. With a Diugrram of the Bmldiugs Destroyed. MIBAMJCUI advance" SI EAM PRINTING OFFICE, CHATHAM, N.B., 1878. • *l - ^ ■iif i > REPORT OF THE DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF THE R. C ST. MICHAEL'S (^OLLECE, EPISCOPAL RESIDENCE, BROTHERS' RESIDENCE, BISHOP'S LIBRARY, ETC., CHATHAM, MIRAMICHI, N. B., FEB. 14, 1878. WITH A DIAGRAM OF THE BUILDINGS DESTROYED. CATHEDRAL, CHRISTIAN ETC., AT (From the " Miramkhi Advance" of Feb. iilst, 187S.) Disastrous Fire. The following account of one of the heaviest fires that has taken place on the Mirainichi was issued in the form of an Extra from this ofHce on Thursday after- noon last, the matter having, however, re- ceived a little revision in reference to minor points :-- About half -past two o'clock on last Thurs- day morning His Lordship Bishop Rogers detected a slight smoke inhis sleeping apart- ment adjoining the Pro-Cathedral on the second storey of the .veil known pile of buildings of which that structure formed the centre. He at once looked down into the Church and not seeing the Sanctuary lamp burning as usuaj, thought it had ac- cidentally gone out. Hoping that all was right he was about to compose himself for sleep when he was made sensible of the fact that there was cause for alarm, the presence of smoke being unmistakeable. Hastening to as- certain whence the smoke came, he de- cended the hall stairs and opening the door of the private Chapel, was met by a volume of smoke which accounted for the Sanctuary lamp appearing to have gone out and proved the startling fact that the build- ing had been seriously on fire for perhaps half an hour. On returning to his bed- room, he perceived, through his window, the light in the second storey windows of the tower, the tire being, as was after- wards evident, in the lower part of the ,tffyfer, just inifiide and ^und the centre His Lordship, assisted by Thomas Fitz- j gerald, a student of the College, gave the • alarm which was soon communicated to I the town and, as the people began to has- I ten to the scene of the fire, the flames, j climbing up through the tower and reach- ing their lurid arms out against the clear sky, gave the startling assurance that the whole block was doomed to destruction. As many of our readers know, the build- ing, or rather combination of buildings, was very large. The main part was composed of the old Chape], which was moved to its late site, enlarged and afterwards gradual- ly flanked by the additions which latterly gave the Block its imposing appearance. The Block was of wood, two and a half storeys high and having a basement of dressed sandstone under its principal parts. The diagram will assist the reader in un- derstanding a description of the pile of buildings. B represents what was the larger part of the original Chapel and formed the nave of the Cathedral. It had additions made to it at different times. These were in- cluded, finally, in what was known as "the Cathedral" the whole being— the Vestibule portion, fronting south and marked A, the body of the Church, B, the Sanctuary, and the Vestry, D. The length of these from Vestibule to Vestry was 126 feet and the breadth forty feet. To the west of the Sanctuary on the first floor was a private Chapel and to the east the Organ Room and Chapel of the Chris- tian Brothers. The Residence of the Bishop and Clergy was in the west portiop of the building jaftrk«id,S »a4> St. Micluierg CoUego and REPORT OF FIRE. the residence of the Christian Brothers and i their Pupils, was in the east portion of the ' building which is marked Q. The Bishop's ' Library was in the second storey of the centre building, immediately over i the Vestry, which is marked, J). The re- i sidence of the Bishop and Clergy, and the ' Cathedral. That on the oast, running parallel with and overlooking the " Chapel Hill" was occupied, in tho upper storey by the Pupils of the College as dormitories, while the lower storey was the pupils' plaj and exercise room. A shed, marked J, connected the southern end of the cast K H B 2i O division of the building occupied by the j College were each 57x36 feet. Two wings, i marked P, extended, one from the east and the other from the west end of the main stmctare in a southerly direction 74 feet, or to the line of the front of the wing with the Cathedral front and the old Vestry, marked K, similarly occupied the space between the south end of the west wing and the Cathedral front on that side. Bounded by the Cathedral, the wings, the sheda and the College and REPORT OK FIRE. Bishop 'h Kcsicleitco.were areas or yards on either side of the former and which are marked, Q. Q,, in the diagram. The exterior of tho whole etructure pre- sented the appearance of an almost uquare building of irregular height, the ground covered being about 20,000 H<iuarc feet. The point marked, + , was about tho location of tho Bishop's sleeping apartment and when His Lordship looked outside for the lire, through the window of his room and across the yard, he saw the reflection of the flames in the windows of the second storey of the tower, which wasover the Ves- tibule. Other persons who saw the fire blaze up so as to show from the outside agree that it was in the Vestibule or Tower. The wood composing the Cathedral was of course, very dry and, therefore, very inflammable. The structure seemed to go down before the fire like dried leaves. In a very short time the Organ Room and private Chapel were reached and the flames passed quickly to the College and Christian Brothers' livingrooms and the dormitories. The Students got their trunks out and then turned their attention to their books. They also endeavored to save the Chris- tian Srothers' stock of School Books and Stationery, but all of that and much of the other personal property had to be abandoned. While a large number of perB(jn8 work- ed hard in the lower part of the building and in the Bishop's Residence and offices as well as in the Clergymen's rooms, mov- ing furniture, etc., out, a few directed their eflForts towards saving His Lordship's valuable Library. Not one half of his ex- cellent collection of books were saved however, for the smoke found its way through the walls and became unbearable, driving the salvors from their work. It was now apparent that the larger ^jor- tion of the Bishop's Residence was no longer tenable, while the other end of the building was already in ruins, so doors were closed and much that could not be saved was left to perish. The Rev. Messrs. Richard, Joyce and others managed to save most of the Vest- ments in tho Vestry Room, but those in thi' Sanctuary, aw well as the sacred vessels left tliert', werw destroyed, it l»eing impoH- sible to enter the Cathedral from the first. Tho Rev. Mr. Bannon had a narrow escape from suffocation, liaving fallen down at tlie altar after an unsuccessful attempt to take the sacred vessels from the tabernacle. While a large number of those present were engaged in the work of removing everything possible from the burning buildings, the Firewards and Firemen were doing their part of the work. It was known that owing to there being too little liose to reach the river, the Foundry Lane Reservoir must be depended upon, supple- mented by the wells connected with the Bishop's establishments. The best judg- ment and experience, in view of this fact, favored the husbanding of the water sup- ply rather than using it upon the main building wliich could not be saved in any case. Tlie Cottage marked H in the diagram formed a means of feeding tlie fire in its progress westward, and the wing used as a warehouse of the otlier large build- ing in which the Convent, the Hotel Dieu Hospital, with its male and female wards, the Sisters' Schools, their Chapel, a District School, Music School, etc, , were located, l)eing only some twenty feet dis • tant, the importance of checking and sub- duing the flames at tlie Cottage was rea- lized by all. Extending south from the west end of the Cottage were outhouses and a large barn, marked I, and they also, if they took fire, would seriously endan- ger the Convent building. " While one band of workers proceeded to cut down and up and across so as to re- move the eastern portion of the Cottage in contact with the burning building, another engaged in shovelling "now into the up- stairs portion of the western end, so that in the event of the fire taking hold of the structure the melting snow would run down through it and, at least, render the burning less fierce and, Cucsequently kds REPORT OF FIRE. flanj^orous to the Convent buildi-f?. The water from the Steam Fire Kugine hn<l been turueil r)ii at lirHt, but for the reOHoiiH indicated above it wau 8topped, and a line of bucket-men pasaed well- water to thetie on the top of tlie ( 'ottaj^e anil the latter threw it where it would do most good until the proper moment had arrived, when the ntream frcmi tlie Steamer was put on and, ably assisted still by the buckets, gradually checked the fire's fur- ther advance. A little water was probably wasted at first, but the distance between the fire and tlie Engine was too great for the necessary promptness of communication between those at the nozzle and the Enj,iuter. Amid all the confusion of so great a dis- aster, in a situation partially removed from our ordinary facilities for successfully coping with large fires, it will be generally admitted tliat all that could reasonably be expected was done, and that seeming mis- takes may very properly be lost sight of in view of the hard and successful fight in which all the forces engaged against the destructive element achieved a signal suc- cess. The saving of the Convent build- ing is due to hard and intelligent work, a fact of which His Lordship expressed his grateful recognition, promptly aiid very thoughtfully, even with the weight of his great misfortune fresh upon him, the Re- ligious under his protection joining their expressions of gratitude to his. A sad accident took place during the progress of the fire, by the falling of the Vestry chimney outwards, some of the bricks from which struck a young man named Alex. Henderson, son of the late A. P. Hwidersou. He received severe bruises about the head and his left arm was broken. He was placed upon a door and carried to the Hotel Dieu Hospital where he received treatment from i)rs. Benson. What wind there was carried the smoke and detached embers to the eastward over the southern portion of the residence of Mrs. Johnston, widow of the late John M. Johnston. This threatened the destruc- tion of that building and a large portion of the furniture was removed from it. Fortunately, however, the fire was fought ofl' and the threatened danger averted. Solemn and interesting services were to have been held in the Cathedral, the next day, Friday, in connection with the death of the Pope. The Bishop had called the Clergy of his Ttiocese together for the oc- casion, and while some had arrived l)eforo the fire and taken up their quarters in tiio Episcopal Residence, others reached Chat- ham during its progress to find, not only the hospitable roof which was to cover them during their stay burned from over their heads, but the Sanctuary in which Lhey were to chant the solenm services for the dead Pontiff laid in ashes. It is hard to place a money value on the property destroyed, which, however, cannot be less than !!?50,000. The buildings were worth perhaps, .*^2."),0(H), but with those are gone over one half of the Librai-y, vestments, sacred vessels, furniture, the property of the Christian Brothers and a thousand things that would naturally ac- cumulate in such institutions in nearl}' a score of years. The stock of Books lost by the Christian Brothers was valued at about |1 ,200. Of the insurance we can- not write positively just now. For more than ten years Bishop Rogers and his people have bent their ener- gies and devoted their means to the perfecting of the system of religious, be- nevolent and educational Institutions, which are so heavily stricken by the dis- aster of this morning. Those upon whom the blow has fallen have the deep sympa- thy of this community, as they will, most assuredly, have of others who are to learn of their misfortune. The Institutions which His Lordship's self -denying zeal had grouped around the Cathedral will, we hope be seen again in the completeness to which they had almost attained at the time of the conflagration, while a better Cathedral will rise from the ashes of that of yester- day. They were a credit to the Diocese, and the Christian enterprise which reared them will, no doubt, under Providence, re- store them again. REPORT OF FIRK. OS SUNDAY LA8T the R.C. (Jonj^rugation of Chatliam were iiiado to reali/f! tho niajjiiitiulo of their loss, in viewing the reinaina of their tine Church, Episcopal Residence, and C^olloge, «nil in experiencing difHculty in crowding into the large Soliool Room of St. Patrick's Hall, in which Mass was celebrated tliree different times -at 8, 0, and 11 a.m., for tliree different congregations. His Lordship, Hishop Ifogers, after the last Mass, most feelingly addressed the congregation, exhorting them to how in liiunhle riLsignation to the heavy visitation which ffod had sent tliem, and which might have been still mon! severe, but for the Divine protection and the heroic exer- tions of the Fire Department and other kind neighbors to arrest the flames from extending to the Ifotd Dkn. Heavy as was the loss, it was liglit when \ «;«.ni[.ai«!d witii atHictions and calamities \ wliich liad visited many (tthers. both in- : dividuais and connnuiiities. •'Alas." said his i.ordship, "'what havoc is now being inliicted on thousands wluro war is raging! How many communities.like tlu- Commer- cial Capital of our Province, St. John, have suffered from the same dre.'id scourge of tire ! Therefon!, Kit us not repine, but heroically bear our cross and confide in the goodness of Him who created all things out of iiotliing : tliat he may repair tmr Joss, by restoring to us again what He ori- ginally gave us, and wliat now, in turn, He had taken away, wlien.and as it pleased Him ! He will raise u]) friends and aid us in this hour of trial." His Lordship expresserl his deep grati- tude for the kind sympatliy so generally expressed, botli in the Press and by indi- viduals of all ranks, and of different deno- minations, and prayed that (iod would generously reward them all for their charity and generous sympathy. Ho liad not yet come to any conclusion as to what should be done, but reijuested a general j meeting of the men of the congregation ! that afternoon. THE MKKTINfi. 1 The meeting enlled as above by the Bishop j of the congregation uf the burnt Cathedral was held in Ht. Patrick's Hall on Sunday afternoon, to consider the steps to be taken in order to meet the pressing neces- sity of the moment, and to repair, as far far as possible, the loss caused by the late conflagration. The meeting was largely attendeil. Shortly after .3 p.m., the hour announced, the Hishop, accompanied by Father Hannoii, entered the room. After nrayer by his Lordship, Win. Lawlor, Ks(i., Warden of tlie .Municipality of Nor- thuniberland, was elected Chairman, and Mr. Thos. Crimmen, Secretary. His Lordship then briefly explained to the meeting the reasons why it was called. He referred to the recent great conflagra- tion and the loss it entailed. He spoke of the kind sympathy manifested by the Press and the public generally throughout the Province, of the heroic and noble man ner in which members of all donomina- I tions worked at the tire to arrest its pro- ! gress, to save the furniture, etc., and of i the niany expressions of sympathy he had received from prominent members of other denominations, who kindly visited him. He road telegrams expressing sym- pathy, etc., from the Hon. Peter Mitchell, M.P., K. V. Burns, M.P.P., Hon. T. W. Anglin, Speaker of the Commons, His (irace, the .\ichbishop and Clergy of Halifax, and letters from his Lordship, Bishop Sweeney, R. F. Quigley, Esq., L. L.B., St. .John, and others, lie con- cluded by moving the following Resolution, which was seconded by tlie Rev. Father Bannon, and passed witii acclamation : — Reiiolved-" IChixt our grateful thanks be recorded and are hereby tendered to the Fire Department and to the other citi- zens wlio assisted in helping to arrest the progress of the tire, and also to those, both in the town and at a distance, who since have tendered sympathy and aid to us in our affliction. " Mr. Michael Hickey, seconded by Mr. Michel Martin and others, moved the next Resolution. Resolved—" TlvAi a General Committee be appointed by this meeting, with power to add to their number, to solicit and re- ceive contributi(His towards repairing our heavy loss caused by the late conflagra- tion, and for providing immediate tem- porary church accommodation for our peo- ple, as well as future permanent Catliedral and Residence for the Bishop and Clergy. " This was carried, and a numerous com- mittee appointed, the time for the meetings of which being fixed, prayer was offered by His Tioi'dsliip, followed by adjournment.