Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 204, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1910 — J. J. Eigelsbach’s Barn Set On Fire in Paint Burning Process. [ARTICLE]

J. J. Eigelsbach’s Barn Set On Fire in Paint Burning Process.

The large barn at the J. J. Elgelsbach residence was saved from complete destruction Friday afternoon at about 4:30 o’clock by the good work of the Rensselaer volunteer fire department. Chas. E. Osborne and assistants were getting ready to paint the barn and were burning off the old paint. They thought they were very careful with the fire, but flames got through a crack some place and set fire to the hay and the barn was soon •in flames. When the fire whistle was blown Teamster Campbell and Marshal Mustard were busy destroying Canada thistles in the east part of town and although they made haste to the fire engine house and raced as fast as possible to the scene of the fire, the fire had a big start when they arrived. In fact, the entire roof was on fire and it looked as though nothing could save the barn from complete destruction. The firemen, however, soon- had two big streams of water playing on the flames and directed their work so well that it was not long -until the flames were subdued. The upper half of the barn was ruined but the lower part was uninjured. The loss was probably $l5O to S2OO. Many people seem very anxious that the fire team and driver shall be kept constantly at the engine house. This would be a fine thing but would prove quite expensive and mean a boost probably of taxes. It might mean the saving of property at any time, however, far more valuable than the expense i< would incur. The council will hardly provide for it unless a petition very generally signed and requesting it is presented.