I thought this article was interesting enough to post in its entirety here.  It describes a fire where the papers of the city offices were destroyed.  Explains why a lot of records are missing!

Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, (Milwaukee, WI) Tuesday, January 01, 1861; Issue 1; col E

Another Fire! Cross’ Block in Ruins!

At precisely twenty minutes to two o’clock on Sunday morning, while a portion of the firemen were yet a the fire on Walker’s point, the alarm was given for the third district, and Cross’ Block on the corner of Huron and Water Streets was discovered to be in flames.  The firemen, already drenched with water and coated with ice, repaired from one scene of destruction to another, and recommenced their efforts to save the property from the devouring elements.  When first seen, the flames were confined to the hall in the third story, and there being no one in any of the offices at that tie, there is no theory that will account for the fire but that of incrediarism.  From the hall the flames spread rapidly to the adjoining offices occupied by city officers, and in an incredible short space of time the Common Council Chamber, the City Clerk’s office, School Commissioners’ room, and the various offices were wrapped in a common blaze.  Armstrong & Spink, Bankers, occupied the corner room on the ground floor.  They succeeded in saving their office furniture, even to the carpet.  THeir books and papers were secured in a large safe locked up at the rear of the house-which yet stands, apparently perfectly sound.  All the papers in the City Clerk’s office-records and valuable documents-were destroyed.  There are nearly $200,000 of chattel mortgages, together with a large amount of bills and vouchers, in one of the Herrings safes, which fell from the third story.  It will probably be opened to-day.  In the Connell Chamber was a large amount of furniture, including oil paintings of the Mayors, upholstery work, records of the Board & c.  The furniture of the chamber was worth about $3,000.  In the city Comptroller’s room were also valuable papers, but it is impossible to state with accuracy what is lost or saved until the safes shall be opened.  The School Superintendent, Mr. Foru, informs us that he had $500 in money in his safe.

Mr. Summer, picture frame maker and gilder, occupied rooms in the building, and barely escaped with his life.  Nearly all his stock, including his tools, is lost and could not be replaced for $1,000.  He lived in the building with his family, and being a cripple-as we have said-barely escaped himself.

There was another room occupied by Mr. Aldrich, who, together with Russel Wheeler, will probably lose $500.

Mr. Bilty, the proprietor of the saloon in the basement, estimates his loss of $150.  A man by the name of Ellesly, who had a stock of liquors in the East end of the basement, is also a loser, but to what extent we could not learn.

Edward Miller, type founder, just opposite, had a quality of stock in the building, most of which was removed in an injured condition.

R. Dunn’s mercantile agency was in the same building.  Loss Unknown.

This paragraph is blocked out.

Cross’ Block blocked out…. and cost $12,000.  It was insured for $30,000, with an insurance of $8,000 on the ???.

It has been occupied by the city for several years at a rent of $2,900 per annum.  The City Treasurer had but recently moved his office to the new City Hall, thus saving everything.

The stones north of the main entrance was occupied by Geo. Dyer & Co., with a very large and valuable stock of saddlery, hardware, &C., amounting to about $60,000.  There were insured, we understand for about $30,000.  A great portion of their stock was removed, though their lost is heavy.

The north wall of Cross’ Block fell upon the unoccupied four story brick store adjoining, with a tremendous crash, completely demolishing it. The building was owned by Eliphalet Cramer, and was worth $7,000 or $8,000-covered by insurance.  It has fortunate ended, that the store was unoccupied at the time, as the smallest amount of fuel, in the shape of goods, added to the flames, would have caused the destruction of the entire block of buildings.