Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1914 — LAND MARK FARM HOUSE WAS BURNED [ARTICLE]

LAND MARK FARM HOUSE WAS BURNED

Residence of Gilbert Lewis on Given’s Hill Totally Destroyed Tuesday Night. ,

An old house, said by old residents to have been one of the oldest houses in Jasper county, was destroyed by fire Tuesday night. The house was on a farm belonging to Mrs. Jay W. Williams, on Givens’ hill, north of this city. It was occupied by Gilbert Lewis and family, who were away from home. Emil Johnson, who lives on the Frank Alter farm near the Lewis honte, was aroused by the barking of his dog and when he saw the flames he spread the alarm but nothing could be done to stop the fire, which had enveloped the entire house and tM well house, which made it impossible to get any water. The wind was directly from the south and this prevented the barn from catching fire. The house formerly was directly west of the tile mill but had been moved some years ago. It was a log house and had been covered with weather boarding. The Republican was unable to learn by whom the house was erected but it is said to have been occupied for some years prior to the war 'by a man named Bob Quinn, who came from the south and was a southern sympathizer.. The house is said to have been fired upon by some of his opponenes during the exciting days of the civil war. Mr. Lewis was at the home of his brother, who is ill, and Mrs. Lewis was at the home of friends. Everything they had in the house was lost. It is understood that they had some insurance.