Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1910 — FIREMEN HAVE CLOSE CALL IN FIGHTING FLAMES. [ARTICLE]

FIREMEN HAVE CLOSE CALL IN FIGHTING FLAMES.

Noon Day Fire Threatens Tile Factory And Falling Roof Strikes Heads Of Volunteer Firemen. Four firemen who were supporting a big water hose and directing the stream of water against the flames in the old Monnett threshing machine factory, had a close call from serious injury this Tuesday noon. The fire was in the old factory building in the rear of the Rensselaer Cement Tile Works, having ignited from a pile of burning cobs which had been hauled to the lot back of the shed during the overflow season at the Babcock & Hopkins elevator. The cobs covered an area thirty feet or more square and extended to the shed, but a driveway had been made near the shed and the cobs shoveled away. It was thought that this channel was wide enough so the fire would not get across, and the proprietor of the tile factory, Chris Kalberer, did not think he was taking any chances when he set the cobs on fire Monday afternoon. He remained up all night to see that the flames and smoldering cobs did not get to the shed. He gave it careful attention this morning, also, and looked it over just before going to his dinner. In less than a half hour the fire whistle sounded and the entire shed, which was a two section affair covered with metal roofing, was enveloped in flames. It was empty, save for few tools and the wind was blowing strongly from the west. In the absence of the hose cart, which is undergoing repairs at Lafayette, a dray wagon was pressed into service and the team was about exhausted when it reached the scene of the fire after a little delay. It was only a short time after it arrived, however, when a stream of water was playing on the fire and it was not long before it was subdued. In the meantime, one of the employes at the tile factory was throwing a small stream of water

on the factory roof to prevent the flames from spreading to that building. Carl Wood, as nozzleman, followed Montgomery and Fireman Orlan Grant and Rex Warner, carried the hose into the burning shed from the west end and were directing- the water into the burning rafters when the roof fell in. There was a shout of warning from without, but the roof had fallen before all of the men could make their escape and Carl Wood and Chief Montgomery were struck upon their heads and the former knocked to his knees. Fortunately the roof held on one side, for had it fallen directly from both sides, it would have buried at least two of the men beneath it. As it was, neither were much hurt and continued the fire fighting. The building was of no value aside from the lumber there was in it, but it was a good store house. It made a hot fire and had it occurred in the night, the factory would probably have gone along with it. Are you having any trouble in getting good bread from the flour you are using? If so, try the great prize winners at the Jasper Co. Bread Making Contest—Aristos and Gem of the Valley. Money refunded if they are not the best flours made. Only |1.50 a sack.

JOHN EGER.