Letter, Andrew Gleason to James Gleason
A letter to James Gleason from his brother, Andrew Gleason. Andrew describes the Steam Gauge and Lantern Works fire that occurred on November 9, 1888. He reports that the Gleason family’s tool shop was briefly ablaze, but escaped major damage. The Gleason foundry is the only place from which the ruins can be seen and they are attempting to keep the crowds away. The Boys in Blue Republican Club donated the money they had raised for a parade to help the victims of the fire; their father has also donated money. Andrew reports on the outcome of bets placed on the presidential election, with William and Kate Gleason coming out winners. One local shop’s workers blamed the fire on the Democrats. Family friend Emma Michel is moving to Detroit.
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William Gleason,
Manufacturer of Machinists Tools,
Office, Brown’s Race,
Rochester, N.Y., Sunday Nov. 11, 1888
Dear Jim –
I suppose you heard of our big fire we had
Friday night. it was about the worst ever in
Rochester. The moulders were working overtime
and they were among the first to arrive on the
scene. They held blankets for them to jump
into and caught about five but there were lots
that did’nt strike the blankets. There were
about 65 people working at the time and about
half got out. I saw the remains of three in the
morgue the all burnt to a crisp. our shop caught
fire in the back part but they put it out.
big burning sticks 3 feet long fell all over
at latest reports there are 10 killed and 18
missing. they are clearing away the ruins now.
ropes are stretched across center street at the race
and our foundry is the only place a view of the
ruins can be had. they had their hands
full keeping the crowd out yesterday and all
day today it took two men f to keep them out
they were climbing Judsons fence and going
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back and crossing our roof and sliding down
a board into the back yard when two men
came back and made them slide up the board
and back the way they came.
Mr. Warner called last night but I was out at
the time and did not see much of him
he is stopping at the refuge with a friend
of his.
Company ‘a’ boys in blue our crack republican
club here had the arrangements in charge
for a big rep. parade Tuesday night but since
this fire they have decided to give the money
for the benefit of the sufferers. father has
given $50 towards it and H.H. Warner has given
$500.
There has been great betting on the elections
here. a man by the name of Olmstead lost $25000
on Cleveland and had to borrow $3000 to pay it.
father won $85 and Kate a box of Huylers best
candy (I am eating some of it now she forgot
and left it at the office).
Emma was over to supper tonight and we had
spring chicken. She is going to Detroit pretty
soon. This afternoon I was down looking at the
ruins and while I was there a big Englishman came
out that works in the shop and began talking
about the fire and he said “say do you know
who I think started that fire. The man that
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is a republican and do you know I think it
was started by a democrat.
I tell you what I’m a pretty hot republican
but I hav’nt got quite as bad as that but
it’s getting pretty late and I’ll have to say
“What’s the matter with Harrison
He’s all right” and
Good night.
Andrew C. Gleason