Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 April 1919 — LARGE DAIRY BARN BURNED [ARTICLE]

LARGE DAIRY BARN BURNED

Near Morocco Entailing a h*» of About >7,000. The large dairy barn situated on the farm of the Murdock Farms Co., one mile northeaet of Enoe, was destroyed by fire about 7 o’clock Monday morning. The loss ie estimated to be between 16,000 and 17,000. The fire originated from a gasoline engine in a room . attached to the barn. W. L. Brazelton, manager of the farm and owner of a half interest In the equipment, had sent one of bis sons to start the engine. There was some trouble in getting it started and it seems that some gasoline had been spilled in the room. The engine backfired and Ignited the gasoline, and in a few seconds the room was enveloped in flames. The cows were being milked at the time and there were about 40 bead of these and 20 head of calves in the barn. These were all rescued with difficulty, as was nlso a small part of the equipment. The barn was completed about a year ago and was one of the finest in the state. About 140 head of dairy cows were kept on the farm at all times. About three w-eeks ago an electric light plant and water works system were Unetalled. The building and all of the machinery, Including a modern milking machine, was lost. Two large tile silos standing at one end of the barn were also badly damaged if not ruiined. —Morocco Courier.