Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1909 — AH EARLY MORNING FIRE. [ARTICLE]

AH EARLY MORNING FIRE.

Ike Glazebrook’a ahop and Storeroom Burned at a a. m., Thurs"•The unearthly screech of the siren whistle at the light plant about 5:30 o’clock Thursday morning sent the shivers down the spine of hundreds of Rensselaer people, who were taking just one more snooze before turning out of their warm beds. Investigation showed that it was the Glazebrook blacksmith shop, store-roots and barn on Front street, making a big mass of frame building, that was ablaze. -Che fire was first seen by Mrs. C. W. Rhoades, who lives just across the street, and who sent in the alarm. Mr. Glazebrook’s house is close by but, was taking an | extra nap that morning because it | was so cold out, and knew nothing of the fire until he heard the fire whistle. When first seen it j was in the roof of the blacksmith shop, about mid-way, and how it started is not known. The fire department got on the scene as soon as possible and It was not very long until streams of water were playing on the buildings, which were then blazing fiercely the eh(tire length. * I Mr. Glazebrook had three horses and considerable other stuff, some hay and feed in the basement of the carpenter shop, also was storing phis brother Lee’s binder therein. This was all gotten out except the .hay and some few little articles. | A lot of chicken pens, belonging to the poultry association *were also saved and the loss is small except the buildings and Frank King’s loss on blacksmith stock, tools, gasoline engine, etc. Mr. Glazebrook’s loss is in the neighborhood of >2,000, with insurance of but >4OO. The rate was so high that he carried no more. .The shop and storage, etc., brought [him an income of about >2O per {month. The loss is a severe one to him. While the frame work of the buildings remain, a great deal of it is so damaged by the flames that the loss is practically total. It is not likely that he will rebuild. Mr. King carried >SOO insurance on his blacksmith tools and stock, which will likely cover about onefourth his loss. The wagon repair stock and many tools, etc. was ruined but the horseshoes and other iron stock will be saved. He has leased the former blacksmith shop across the street and moved his tools over there Thursday and opened again for business at once. The household effects of E. J. Christman, who is to move into the house now occupied by Joe Jeffries, when the latter vacates same, were stored in‘- the rear part of the store room next to the blacksmith shop, but by prompt work of the early arrivals on the scene they were removed to a place of safety and were undamaged except somewhat by water. Joe Jeffries was here looking after the packing of his goods preparatory to moving to Huntington, and it is. understood that practically all his goods were packed ready for shipment. He was not at the fire—it was not his property that was burning and of course he had no interest therein—but he was called up by ’phone and kindly asked if he could not so arrange his packed goods as to allow Mr, Christman to place his goods, which were out in the street, in one of the rooms. Joe is one of those generous, whole-souled individuals who never neglects doing a kindly act, and very curtly replied that he was occupying all the rooms; that he would not vacate the property before Saturday, and nothing could be ‘ put in there until he got out. Mr. Christman finally secured temporary storage in the vacant room in the K. of P. building. Mr. Christman wishes through The Democrat to sincerely thank theme who assisted in sating his goods. Mr. King was quite positive that he locked the safe door the night before, but when found, the door was open and the books and papers scorched somewhat, the fire not being very hot in this end of the shop. This gave rise to the report that there might have been a robbery committed, but this is unlikely, as there was no money kept in the safe. The fire was not an easy one to fight and it was not a pleasant job for the firemen with the mercury down below zero, but they were equal to the occasion, and with numbpd fingers and icicles banging from their rubber coats and hats finally got the flames under control and the frame work was left standing, a blackened mass of charred timber.