Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1913 — Barn and Contents Were Burned Saturday Evening. [ARTICLE]

Barn and Contents Were Burned Saturday Evening.

Shortly after 7 o’clock Saturday evening a barn *was discovered on fire at the former Brenner property, now owned by Charles Battleday, in the southeast part of town. John W. Norman occupies the house and hp lost a 3-week-old calf, a, ton of hay, about 50 bushels of corn and some garden tools in the fire. A horse and cow were rescued without injury. The fire had considerable headway before it was discovered and for some reason some time elapsed before the fire whistle blew and before the alarm reached the engine House. The members of the department made a good fight, however, and the fire was put out soon after the company arrived. Mr. Norman’s loss was covered by insurance but there was no insurance on the building. The fire started from the alley side and is presumed to have been ignited by a spark from a bonfire, although its origin is not certain.