Nicolet, Québec, Canada (Saint-Jean-Baptiste)
1906 - Cathedral and Convent Burn

Ecclesiastical Buildings at Nicolet, Que., Destroyed - Loss About $600,000.

Special to The Tribune.

Nicolet, Que., June 22 - A disastrous conflagration broke out here last evening which soon got beyond the control of the local fire brigade and utterly destroyed the magnificent new cathedral, the old parish church, the convent of the Sisters of L'Assomption, the residence of Mgr. Suzor, retired Bishop of Nicolet. The local fire brigade, assisted by the St. Hyacinthe brigade which came here by special trains with steamers and men saved the residence of Bishop Bruneau. There were three hundred sisters in the convent and the flames spread with such extraordinary rapidity that they were only rescued with great difficulty. The nuns were terribly alarmed by the conflagration and the work of rescuing them was much impeded, as many of them fainted with terror and had to be carried out, while several of the older ladies became hysterical as they saw their home of years a prey of the devouring element. Most fortunately the school had closed for summer and the children had all returned home, or there might have been a repetition of the Ste. Genevieve holocaust of last year. It is stated the buildings are partially insured but to what extent cannot be as yet ascertained. Fortunately the ecclesiastical buildings, occupied a quadrangle to themselves, the streets of the town being at some little distance. Thus the fire worked its way around the square occupied by the cathedrals, seminary and residential buildings and the seminary and convent, while the town itself was not attacked. The latest estimates place the loss at about $600,000, divided as follows: Two cathedrals, old and new, $250,000; L'Assomption convent, $200,000, and the Hospice of St. Joseph, $15,000.

Burned all Night.
Shortly after six this morning the fire, which raged all night, and which has done in all damage estimated at $700,000 and as a result of which one nun is dead, was finally extinguished, largely through the exertions of the St. Hyacinthe fire brigade which was rushed here by special train last evening. The cathedral parish church, residence of Mon. Suzer, the convent and outhouses of L'Assomption nuns, besides the residence of the Richard family, were totally destroyed.

The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
June 22, 1906

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