Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1908 — ROSELAWN HIT. [ARTICLE]

ROSELAWN HIT.

Disastrous Fire In That. Burg Tuesday Night! A WHOLE BLOCK WAS WIPED OUT. Livery Stable, Saloon, Ice House, Lumber Yard, Etc., Burned, Entailing a Los? of 925(000.

y’A disastrous midnight fire occurred at Roselawn Tuesday night, and as a consequence $25,000 worth of property lies a pile of smoking ruins. The fire was first discovered near the horses in the livery stable, of I. N. Best & Son, and it was owing to their almost human cries of terror that many human lives were not a sacrifice to the flames. V I. N. Best & Son were running the barn and the family lived overhead in same building. Just who heard the horses in their vain attempt to escape a fiery death is not learned, but it was not discovered in time to save anything out of the barn or the residence. The Kight saloon next door soon took fire and then rum met Its Waterloo. The fire kept spreading until it consumed six buildings, all except one in that block, which includes the livery barn and residence, saloon, ice house, lumber shed and a large pile of lumber. The Bests lost seven horses, two cows, one hog, all of their iivery outfit, harness and all the household goods an<L furniture. In the saloon everythlngL went. It seemed a measly shamA to many of the denizens of that burg to see so much good stuff go up in smoke, but there was no way out of it, and regardless of the fact that it would have been put where it would have done the most good in short order if it could have been got at. th«n-a was no saving any of it. It mutt have been of a fairly good quality of stuff, too, as it is said to nave made a splendid fire and where there is too much water it does not bum welL The livery and saloon was insured In companies represented. Stewart of this city, the livery and residence for $1,200 and the saloon and contents for $1,200. We have not received a list of other insurance if any was carried.