ASHER

Daniel Asher had a general store on Herbert Street (corner of Little Bayly Street) in 1871. It burned to the ground on 20 April 1872.

Intersection of Little Bayly and Herbert St from Holtermann panorama
Source: Mitchell Library, SLNSW. Panorama of Gulgong taken from Church Hill

[Note: the image appears as separate photos in the State Library archive.]

Ryan's Hotel Gulgong, 1872

Source: SLNSW

Detail from Ryan's Hotel Gulgong, 1872
Source: SLNSW

On the left of Ryan's hotel is a pile of charred wood. This is the remains of Ashers' Store and Clifford's Brewery which were burnt down just before the photo was taken. The building visible in the background is the Wesleyan Church on Medley Street.

Source: Information supplied by Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (Sept 2006)

NEWS ITEMS

Shortly after I commenced this letter, at a little before 7 o'clock this evening, an alarm of fire was raised in Herbert-street, and it soon became evident that Asher's general store was on fire. The great want of water struck with appalling force upon the senses, for if the flames gained any ascendency the greater portion of the town, built as it is of such fragile materials, would have been jeopardised. Fortunately there was no wind, and, as everybody felt it to be his interest to check the fire, there was a much larger quantity of water provided than could have been expected.

On the lower side of the store stood the Treble X Brewery, a small building built principally of bark, and it was in a very few minutes levelled to the ground, thus cutting off communication in that direction. On the other side was a small gap, dividing the burning building from Moses's store, "The Wonder of the World," and by means of blankets, saturated with water, it was saved. In less than ten minutes from the alarm of fire, the flames had such a hold that extinguishing them was out of the question, and in less than half-an-hour from the outbreak the store and its contents, stated to be worth about £3000, were a pile of ashes. The excitement has been so intense that it has been impossible to ascertain, accurately, whether either the building or the stock was insured, but it is said that the latter was about half covered. The fire was caused by a too common accident, the bursting of a kerosene lamp; but it would have been easily extinguished by means of a blanket thrown on it by Mr. Asher, jun., had not someone with injudicious zeal, thrown a quantity of water upon the flames, and so spread the oil bearing them all over the place.

Gulgong, Saturday, April 20.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Wed 24 Apr 1872 Page 7

1872 - TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE - (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.)

GULGONG. Saturday, 7.14 p.m.

A store, owned by Mr. Asher, was totally destroyed by fire this evening. The loss amounts to £2500. Clifford's Sydney Brewery had to be razed to save Ryan's public-house. There was no wind at the time of the fire. Great exertions were used to stop the progress of the fire, and they were successful.

Source: Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Mon 22 Apr 1872 Page 2

1872 - Fire in Herbert Street.

The first fire in Gulgong’s business portion occurred in Herbert Street on Saturday last at half past six in the evening. The buildings destroyed were M. Asher’s & Co.’s store and Clifford’s Brewery. It was only by the well directed aid of a large number of miners that the fire was restricted to these two buildings. The fire commenced in Asher’s Store with the explosion of a kerosene lamp, which might have been easily controlled had not a man who had witnessed it, thrown a bucket of water on the blazing oil which scattered it in every direction, and in less than 3 minutes the whole of the interior was in flames. Mr. Sam Asher, who is in charge of the store, deferred saving any of the stock until a quantity of powder and kerosene in a back store was removed. He then rushed into the burning store to save his cash and books, but the intense heat drove him back. In a few minutes the flames burst through the roof, ascending 30 feet above it with a roar like a blast furnace. Although the store was of iron, the progress of the flames was so quick that little or nothing could be saved. The stock was valued at £3,000. As the building collapsed and fell in, it set fire to the adjoining building. It was deemed absolutely necessary to pull down Clifford’s Brewery, in order to prevent the fire spreading. In a few moments a large whip rope was procured and fastened around the front of the brewery which was now on fire. Hundreds of powerful hands took hold of the rope and with a united tug toppled the building over, dragging the burning timber & bark into the street. While this was being done the fire raged fiercely and Ryan’s Hotel, which was next to Clifford’s, was now alight and was feared that it would defy all efforts to save it. A quantity of blankets were produced, wetted, and spread upon the roof and wall next to the fire and water thrown upon them continuously by a number of volunteers who braved the terrible heat. If they had failed, and Ryan’s Hotel had taken fire, one could not tell were the fire would have stopped, as next to Ryan’s Hotel was Witton & Co.’s large store which would not have escaped.

We are proud to compliment the large crowd upon the good order maintained, and the valuable aid rendered by those who actively aided in confining the fire to its limits. No men have such experience of fires as a mining population, and it was curious to watch how, as soon as the crowd had gathered, that a cordon was formed, and the crowd forced back up and down the street, so that the full width of the street opposite the burning buildings was kept clear for the movements of those doing the fireman’s work. The goods saved were removed carefully to a place of safety, and under the authority of a Constable, a volunteer guard was formed to protect it. Although there was plenty of grog – hot and cold – to be had, we did not perceive any attempt made to drink or appropriate it. 

Witton and Co.’s store, we understand, was insured for a large sum, and as their building was saved by the pulling down of Clifford’s brewery, we think that the Insurance Company should perform a grateful act of generosity, and also show that they appreciated the efforts made to save them from a heavy pay out, by tendering the cost of the building to Clifford – about £40 – and also recompense the unfortunate tenant living at the rear for her loss, as she had not time to save anything before the building was pulled down, which most positively save the hotel and Witton’s store.

Great fears were entertained that the fire would prove a Chicago affair on a small scale owing to many of the stores keeping a large stock of blasting powder on hand for miners. Exaggerated rumors as to the quantity tended to keep the crowd at a respectable distance. We are strongly of the opinion that the Government should provide a small magazine in which all powder should be stored at a reasonable rental. It would repay its cost in less than a year, and the feeling of safety it would create would in the case of another fire would give fire fighters greater confidence in saving life and property.

Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 73, April 27, 1872

1872 - GULGONG.

There is nothing very strange to report this week, if I may except a fire which occurred on Saturday night, which fortunately resulted in doing no more damage to the town than the destruction of the store in which it originated. The scene of the conflagration was Mr. Asher's general store, in Herbert Street. There are various rumors afloat as to the origin of the fire.

The most authentic is, that shortly after the lamps had been lit, one of them flared up more than usual, and, on lowering it, the lamp burst on the counter, whereupon one of the men threw a blanket on the burning kerosene, which immediately got in contact with the drapery, and in a few moments the store was in flames. The greatest confusion prevailed, as the store was known to contain large quantities of both powder and kerosene oil. The people came rushing from all directions, and, in a very short time, that part of the street was blocked up.

There were great fears entertained at first lest the fire should extend all over the town; and no-doubt, if there had been the slightest breeze of wind, the principal part of Gulgong would, in a short time, have been in ashes. Ryan’s Hotel, adjoining Asher's, had a narrow escape; and, calm as the night was, had it taken fire, nothing could have saved that block.

Too much credit cannot be given to the men who exerted themselves so well in the saving of Ryan's house, when it will be remembered that there was not a cask of water at hand at the time; and so the men, had to rush from house to house with buckets, and get water wherever they saw any, while others got on the roof and kept pouring the water on to keep it damp. It is said that Mr. Asher is insured to some extent, but not sufficient to cover his loss, as he got in a large stock a few days ago, very little of which was saved.

Source: The Irish Citizen (Sydney, NSW : 1871 - 1872) Sat 27 Apr 1872 Page 8

1872 - Fire Inquest

The District Coroner [Dr. Rowling of Mudgee] held an inquest on Thursday last at Tarrant’s Tattersall’s Hotel on the fire by which Asher and Cos., store was destroyed. A jury of 12 empannelled. Evidence of Mr. Sam Asher & Mr. M. Asher, the storeman, and other corroborative witnesses was taken. The evidence conclusively and clearly proved that the cause of the fire was the bursting of a kerosene lamp in the store. The stock was insured for £1,200 instead of £1,500 as we stated in our last issue. This leaves Mr. Asher a heavy loser by the event. Mr. Asher, who as a goldfield’s storekeeper, has been long and favourably known.

Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 73, April 27, 1872