Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 177, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1910 — TWO FIRES IN NEARBY TOWNS DO MUCH DAMAGE. [ARTICLE]

TWO FIRES IN NEARBY TOWNS DO MUCH DAMAGE.

Odd Fellows Building and Livery Barn Burn at ML Ayr and Tie Comer’s Store at Parr. Sunday night between 12 and 1 o’clock fire was discovered in the rear of the lower floor of the Odd Fellows building at Mt. Ayr and also in the Rice livery barn, only a short distance away. The fires were discovered at the same time and had made considerable headway. Before sufficient help had been aroused the fires were beyond control and both buildings and the contents were totally destroyed. The Odd Fellows building is on the south side of Main street, east of the Sigler building. The livery* barn i 3 south of the Odd Fellows hall. The lower floor of the hall was occupied by George Lynch as a restaurant. The livery barn belonged to a man named George Corbin and was rented by Eugene Rice. Mr. Rice had a new Brush runabout, all of his harness, a supply of hay and small grain and his dog burned in the fire. No horses were in the stable. His loss was complete as he carried no insurance. The Odd Fellows building was also destroyed vdth all of the contents. It was an old two story frame building about 20x30 feet in dimensions. There was SSOO insurance on it. Mr. Lynch had no insurance on his restaurant stock, which was an entire loss. The wind blew from the southwest and the volunteer fire fighters had a difficult time to save the Hufty store and residence across the street north of the hall. Mr. Hufty, who is in very serious health, was moved from his home to the home of Dr. Merry. That the fires were incendiary there seems to be no doubt and Mt. Ayr people are said to be greatly wrought 'up about it. Suspicion is said to be directed to one person. At Parr another incendiary fire is thought to have been started Tuesday night, when the store of D. V. (Vic) Comer was burned down. His store was in a small frame building belonging to Isaac McCurtain, of Hanging Grove township. His stock was valued at about S7OO, with insurance of S4OO. The building, was worth about S7OO, and, it is thought, was not insured. The fire was discovered between 1 and 2 o’clock and seemed to have been starts Mi the rear of the building. The hot flames threatened adjacent property and slight damage resulted to the creamery building, Just west of the store. The hose at the creamery helped subdue the flames. Three fires at Wheatfleld are thus described by the Kankakee Valley Review: \ About three o’clock Friday afternoon a fire was discovered in the barn located on the alley in the rear of the Wm. M. Miller property on Concord street, and in a very short time, the Miller barn was a mass of flames. It immediately spread to the barn of Robert Mannan and also to the barn of S. W. Hamilton, totally destroying them. The entire population of the town promptly responded to the call of fire and worked heroically to save the adjoining residence properties. A good stiff breeze was blowing at the time and embers were carried over toward the building of the business district of the town. Two other fires *were started, one on the Myers building and one on the Wesner building, which were put out without much difficulty. It was with great difficulty that the residence property of Robert Mannan was saved. The building had to be drenched with water to keep it from burning, and the heat at times was almost unbearable. In fact, at one time those on the building were compelled by tbe excessive heat, to abandon the roof of the Mannan building and it was thought it would be lost, but-Dr. Fyfe, who was on the roof, was able to stand the heat, and stuck to his post, throwing water on the roof until the heat subsided. Doc certainly can stand tne heat. "■ '2 The cause of the fire Is partially a .pystery, other than It ie reported that some children had been in the Miller barn burning matches. The barns with their contents, hay, corn and other storage articles, were a complete loss, except insurance of $250 on the Mannan barn, S6O on the Hamilton barn, and we did not learn whether any Insurance was carried on the Miller property or not The M*nn«n

household tgoods were all removed from the building, which resulted in a slight damage The fire has given rise to considerable discussion of providing the town with some proper fire protection as - is clearly demonstrated that only by united efforts was the town saved