Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 December 1917 — LAFAYETTE GARAGE BURNED [ARTICLE]

LAFAYETTE GARAGE BURNED

Eph Hickman and George Peters Lost Their Machines. The Main, street garage at Lafayette. was burned Sunday morning and sixty-eight automobiles were lost. The fire was caused from an explosion of gasoline in a peanut roaster in the front of the building. The building and the automobiles contained therein were a total wreck. The owner of the garage, Ira Galbraith, estimates* his loss at $15,000, with only SI,OOO insurance. Among the cars lost was the Marmon of Eph Hickman, late of Rensselaer, George Peters, son of Alf Peters of south of Rensselaer, also lost a Marmon, but both tu •>e cars were old models. Galbraith lost eleven brand-new cars, and Is left practically penniless. Mr. Galbraith was a resident of Rensselaer some few years afo, and for some time was employed as a freight handler at the Monon station in this city.