Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1914 — Old Land Mark Destroyed by Fire. [ARTICLE]

Old Land Mark Destroyed by Fire.

The farm house occupie ( d by Gilbert Lewis, on the Stockton farm, on Givens Hill, just west from Alf Donnelly’s onion farm, north of town, credited by old residents with being one of the very oldest structures in the county, was destroyed by fire about 2 a. m., Wednesday, during the absence of the family. The fire was discovered by Emil Johnson, a neighbor, but had gained such headway that nothing could be done to save the building. The wind being from the south, prevented the fire spreading to the barn. The house, which was constructed of logs and had been covered with weatherboarding, is said to have been built prior to the civil war, and formerly stood directly west of the tile mill, until moved a few years ago. The entire contents, on which there was but little or no insurance, were lost by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. The family was away for the night, and it is presumed the fire started from a defective flue.