THE WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

April 24, 1896

 

LIGHTNING AND FIRE

 

 

            Friday morning about eleven o’clock a heavy thunder storm came up and the lightning danced a can-can around town, flirting with the telephone and electric light wires in regulation order causing electrical pyrotechnics in the central telephone offices; but soon an awful crash came which everybody in the city was sure it struck something or somewhere uncomfortably near.  Even while they were thinking about it the fire alarm bell rang out, and great black smoke rolled up from the Scoville House barn, necessitating another move-out of household goods for fear of a serious conflagration.  In just nine minutes the firemen had the hose laid and three streams were doing good execution in preventing the destruction of the hotel, Mrs. McArthur’s house and other property, but the barn was soon in smoking ruins, together with one of Mr. Scoville’s bus horses which was struck with lightning and killed.

            Much credit is due the firemen and hook and ladder men for their prompt and efficient work. It was an awful hot place to work and it looked at one time as if nothing would save the hotels and adjoining property, but the rain and timely arrival of the streams prevented the fire getting a headway.  The siding on the north end of the new part of the Scoville House was nearly all burned off and every window broken.  A number of burning mattresses were tumbled out of the windows.

            The damage to bedding, furniture and carpets by water and removal was quite considerable but the insurance will cover the damages in that direction.

            The barn cost about 1,500 but was insured for only $500; in the Germana, Mrs. White’s agency.  The insurance adjuster for that company was in town that day to adjust the loss on Mr. Scoville’s furniture at the first fire so he killed three birds with one stone paid the $500 for the barn fire and $186 loss and damage to furniture for both fires.  The adjuster for the Manchester paid Mr. Scoville$350 damages to building on first fire.  The estimated damages on hotel for the last fire $150.  That has not been adjusted yet.

           Mrs. McArthur’s damage to building must be at least $75, fully insured.

            There were a number of things in the barn such as the horse which was struck with lightning, hay, two sets of harness, canopy top, bus runners, forks, tools, grain, etc., also Post Master Mumbrue had a new cutter upstairs.  All the above went up in smoke with no insurance.  The loss estimated at about $300.

            The total loss to Mr. Scoville aside from what insurance he will get will be over $1,200, pretty severe for these times, however he will not get discouraged but fit things up better than ever.

            Mr. Scoville will not attempt to put up a feed stable again; just erect a snug barn on the rear of his lot; the insurance rates will be materially lessened by so doing.