Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 173, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1916 — E. VAN ARSDEL SUFFERS BIG FIRE-LOSS [ARTICLE]

E. VAN ARSDEL SUFFERS BIG FIRE-LOSS

Three Barns and Other Pronerty Destroyed at Farm Near Valparaiso. E. VainArsdel, who recently moved from Rensselaer to a farm which he purchased near .Valparaiso, had a bad fire loss Wednesday. The Valparaiso Vidette has the following account of the fire: “Three large bams and some of their contents, a silo, and corncribs on the farm five miles northwest of this city, recently bought by Ed Van Arsdel, burned to the ground today, and the origin of the fire is unknown. The loss, estimated by Mr. Van Arsdel at $2,500, is partially covered by insurance. Live stock that was in all barns was rescued, and the house occupied by Joe Wildrick and family was saved after a hard fight by a big crowd of volunteer fire fighters. , Russel Van'Arsdel ran toward the structure which was burnnig furously before he reached it. He saved the stock from this, and then with others present, led horses from the other bams which were directly in the path of the wind. Neighbors were called by telephone alarm, and a crowd was soon present. The activity of a big bucket brigade saved the hbuse, which was on fire two or three times. The bam thal took fire first was being filled with hay. No smokers were around the building, and how the blaze originated will always be a my rt ery, ~ - ... “Mr. Van Arsdel came here from Rensselaer and took possession of the farm, and since then has been improving the buildings. He lives in this city.' He and his son were pointing there today just before the loss.”