Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 270, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1915 — Wood School House Burned Thursday Night. [ARTICLE]

Wood School House Burned Thursday Night.

The Wood school house, 6 miles southeast of Rensselaer, burned to the ground Thursday night, the fire having been discovered by Chauncey Wood, who lives near there and who telephoned to his brother, Trustee Wood, who hurried to the scene of the fire in his automobile. The roof had fallen in when he reached the scene and nothing could be done to put the fire out and all the contents including the books of the fourteen pupils and of the teacher, Miss Vena Haworth, were burned. The building was insured for $950. Trustee Wood is of the opinion that the fire was started by a tramp, but none had been seen in the neighborhood that day. However, Miss Haworth, the teacher, had had only a light fire and this is believed to have been entirely out before the building caught fire and from an investigation made by Trustee Wood the following morning, it is not believed that the fire started from the stove. Arrangements have not yet been made as to the holding of a school for the pupils, but it may be that some accommodations can be made to use a farm house for the school. If not, arrangements will be made to haul them to another school. Trustee Wood is giving the matter consideration this afternoon. Probably a new building will be erected in the spring.