Great Fire in Triumph City
Morning Herald (Titusville, Pa.), April 20, 1868
On Saturday last about noon, a fire broke out in the United States Hotel at the above-mentioned place, and raged at once with great fury. As the building was entirely of wood, it was soon consumed, though not until after most of the furniture was removed. The fire swept across the street and enveloped the church and schoolhouse and soon became general, carrying everything before it. Only two houses — the National Hotel and a building owned by a teamster — are left.
The following are the losses:
| Who | What | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Marks | Tobacco store | $225 |
| Mr. Moore | Goods and groceries | $3,000 |
| A. J. Sink | Hotel and store | $7,000 |
| Samuel McKinsley | Boarding house | $500 |
| Wm. Cartwright | Blacksmith shop and machine shop | $600 |
| P. Minor | Blacksmith shop and residence | $300 |
| M. B. McManus | Variety store | $1,700 |
| S. F. Hanna | Boarding house | $850 |
| Mr. Davy | Shoe store and shop | $250 |
| L. J. Jones | Residence | $100 |
| Burnett Oil Co. | Office | Unknown |
| Triumph Bakery | $300 | |
| Wilcox billiard saloon | $500 | |
| Mr. Friel | Saloon | $250 |
| Mrs. Aikens (a widow lady) [sic] | Residence | $250 |
There were quite a number of buildings destroyed, the names of the owners of which we could not get. The fire is supposed to have originated from a defective flue in the U.S. Hotel—one of the tin chimney order. We cannot learn of a dollar of insurance. The rate there was seven percent, and we hear of parties who had let policies run out within the last two months.
During the removal of goods from the burning buildings, an indiscriminate plundering commenced, and much of what was saved from the flames was carried off by freebooters who infest the region. Several search warrants were got out yesterday, and the officers no doubt will track out much of the stolen property and bring the offenders to justice.
It will be seen that two of our own townsmen, Mr. M. B. McManus and Mr. A. J. Sink, were heavy losers. Mr. Sink owned two hotels and a store there, containing a considerable stock of goods. He was in this city on Saturday making purchases. His loss is estimated at $12,000.
Triumph City was a “mushroom” settlement about one mile from Tidioute. Some oil had been obtained there, and speculators had labored energetically to build up another Pithole, but without success. Of late it had become almost deserted, but was a point of considerable trade.