Calkin’s Fire01

 

WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

March 11, 1887

 

 

            On Saturday about noon there was a close call from what might have been a serious fire at Dr. Calkins’ store room, had it only had a few minutes more headway; as it was aside from burning the petition a little and smoking things up no particular damage was done.  A widow was smashed in the front door by parties outside anxious to “get there” but it was after some one had with a pail of water got in the back way and extinguished the fire.  It caught from an ash box in the chimney near the base board.  The chimney had burned out the day before and there must have been some live coals or burning soot that caused the fire.  There was not fire in the store at the time.  The girls were in the back kitchen, Dr. and Mrs. Calkins were in St. Paul.  Jennie heard a crackling noise but looking out saw black smoke coming out of a chimney in the Pinkerton block thought that was the trouble.  Pretty soon the commotion in extinguishing the fire and banging in the door, told her that the trouble was right at home.  They wre glad it happened in the day time.