Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1909 — FIRE DESTROYS BARN ON LAWLER RANCH. [ARTICLE]

FIRE DESTROYS BARN ON LAWLER RANCH.

Fire of unknown origin destroyed the barn, an old structure, and a few outbuildings on the former Thompson ranch northeast of Pleasant Ridge, now owned by Lawler Bros.,- of Chicago, Tuesday night. A mulo worth S2OO, a horse of less value, four tons of hay, 76 bushels of corn and some other feed and practically all the farming tools were destroyed, Including most of two new binders recently shipped down from Chicago and which had never been unboxed. A part of the boxes were saved. . The farm is occupied by John Reed as tenant, and the fire was discovered at 11:20 by two neighbor children who were passing by, but the flames had gained such headway that the greatest difficulty was experienced in keeping the flames from the large corn crib that stands nearby. The loss will total $2,000 to $2,600. 011 of the tools, plows, harrows, discs, corn harvesters, selfbinders, etc., except two manure

spreaders were burned and rendered valueless by the flames. The three other buildings were a smallshop, a tool shed and a cow barn. J. J. Lawler came Wednesday from Chicago to make arrangements for the rebuilding of the barn and to secure tools for the oats and hay harvest which begins soon. The barn and contents were partially covered by insurance in the C. B. Steward agency and the insurance is between $1,200 and $1,300.