THE REPUBLICAN

March 9, 1883

 

FIRE

 

The Destructive Element Visits Our City Again,

And Cleans Out the Home Sample Room.

 

Heroic Work of Firemen and some of our Citizens.

 

FULL PARTICULARS.

 

            At the hour of 1:30 a.m. the peaceful slumbers of our citizens were awakened by startling peals of the fire bells.  Ten minutes after the alarm was sounded people were to be seen rapidly making their way to the scene of disturbance, some of them clothed in habiliments that were indeed unique if not fashionable.  The night watch having “sniffed the elements,” rattled around lively.  Frank Beardmore, we learn was the first to discover the location of the fire, which was in the upper story of the Home Saloon block, in the G.A.R. hall and gymnasium rooms.  The engine was soon in position at the reservoir in the courthouse square, and the hose run through the alley back of the post office, to the rear of the burning building, where the stream of water from a well directed nozzle was soon quenching the devouring element.  The building was saved but not until the woodwork; and supports to the metal roofing were consumed.  The fire company did excellent work, saving more than could have been expected.  That the Vosburg barn was saved is due in a great degree to Hugo Lea, who worked with an energy unsurpassed.  The origin of the fire was undoubtedly owing to a defective stove.  Some estimate $1,000 to cover the losses while others are still higher. Skid Woodnorth, owner of the building, has an insurance on same for $1,000, in the Orient, N. E. White agent.  Sam Stout, proprietor of Home Sample Room, has an insurance on stock to the amount of $400 in the Traders, Irving P. Lord agent, which will not begin to cover his loss.  An excellent $250 pool table was nearly, if not quite ruined.  The faithful work done by all is commendable.