Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1912 — DR. KANNAL RESIDENCE DESTROYED BY FIRE. [ARTICLE]

DR. KANNAL RESIDENCE DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Fine Structure Erected by Emmet Kannal 28 Yean Ago Almost Wholly Rained This Homing.

Shortly before 10 o’clock this Tuesday morning fire was discovered issuing from the roof of the residence of Dr. H. J. Kannal. The fire alarm brought out the fire department and a large number of volunteer fire fighters and a persistent fight was made to save the property from destruction and the result was better than any spectator thought it would be. Apparently the entire property was doomed to destruction but the company succeeded in saving most of the first story. Just how the fire caught is not known. Probably a defective chimney permitted a spark to pass through into the. attic, for the fire burned from the top downward. The large number of people attracted by the fire whistle turned in and helped to remove all tlfe furniture from the house and before the fire company arrived practically all the heavy articles had been removed from the main floor. The Kannal property is a considerable distance from the nearest .water hydrant and the force wad not very strong, thus adding to the difficulty of fighting the fire. It was some time before more than one hose was playing water on the flames, a trip back to the engine house being required to get additional hose. TWo streams of water and the chemical engine were finally applied and in less than 45 minutes from the time the whistle was blown the fire was under absolute control. Morris Molony, who has had considerable fire fighting experience as a member of the Chicago fire department, worked with the local company and helped them very much. Chief Montgomery was handicapped by reason of his injured arm but he was able to direct the fire fighting and to render considerable aid, While Assistant Chief Rhoades worked like a beaver with the other members of the company. Dr. Kannal was npt at home when the fire broke out. Mrs. Kannal and their Invalid daughter Gertrude were in the house and didn’t know that the house was on fire until Ed Ames, who had discovered it from the road near the college, raced his horses,to the Kannal home. Ed was at once active in helping remove the household furniture.

The Kannal property was one of the best built homes in Rensselaer and probably the finest frame structure in the city. It was built by Dr. Kannal’s father. Emmet Kannal, about twenty-three years ago. Soon after

Dr. Kannal moved intd it, he was taken sick and died. Later the property passed into the bands of Dr. Kannal, who has occupied it as a residence for a number of years. The the host lumber and with the mo st competent labor. It would probably cost upwards of >IO,OOO to build a house like It at this time, and it is probable that the house is fully twp-thlrds ruined by this fire. It is understood that Dr. Kannal carried $7,000 insurance on the property. .