Fires 1897

Waupaca Republican

November 19, 1897

TOO MANY FIRES

Bruley’s Fine Barn Went up in Smoke with lots of Fodder and Machinery

On Tuesday evening about half past six o’clock a bright light in the east brought out the fire department as it was thought there was a fire in the vicinity of Shearer and Jardine’s lumber yard. It was learned , however, that it was the barn on Wm. Bruley’s farm about two miles east of town. This was one of the finest barns in the county with possibly the one exception of J.M. Ware’s. It was built two years ago and was over a hundred feet long and about fifty wide, with a basement for stock. It is said that there was no lanterns or lights of any kind about the barn. When the fire was first discovered it was so far along that nothing except a harness or two on main floor was saved. But fortunately about seventy head of young stock in the basement were gotten out.

The barn cost about $2,500 and besides the barn there was burned about one hundred tons of hay, forty acres of corn in the shock packed in one fo the big bays, one new McCormick binder, one mower, horse rake, two farm wagons and a lot of smaller farm tools, making a total loss of at least $3,500 or $4,000, with an insurance of $1,500 on barn and $200 on machinery in the Phoenix, Olson & Johnson’s agency.

The loss comes exceptionally hard on Mr. Bruley at this time because he had but recently purchased a lot of young stock to feet this winter and get their growth. Now he will have to sell at a loss as it would not pay to buy feed and fix a barn so late in the season.

AND JOHN NELSON’S BARN TOO

On Wednesday morning Eugene Nourse who lies on John Nelson’s place in the town of Lind, went out to do the chores and set the lantern on or near a new separator belonging partly to Mr. Nourse and Robt. McLean. The lantern exploded in some way and before anything could be done all was on fire. Only the livestock could be saved. The separator was insured for $150. It is said there was a small insurance on the barn but we could not learn how much.