Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 19, Number 12, DeMotte, Jasper County, 18 February 1949 — FIRE DESTROYS HOME AND CONTENTS [ARTICLE]

FIRE DESTROYS HOME AND CONTENTS

A fire of undetermined origin | completely destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mclva Barker Jr., Sunday afternoon, February 13. The Barkers were visiting his parents in DeMotte and the fire was not detected until it had such a start that the DeMotte Volunteer Fire Department, which was calli ed about 3:30, were unable to do | more than save the surrounding | buildings. The one story wooden structure was one of the nicer country homes in this vicinity. It was built about twelve years ago by ! Mrs. Barker’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher. Mr. Fisher doing the carpenter work himself. It was thirty by forty feet plus a large screened porch on the west side. None of the furniture or clothing was rescued. Mr. and Mrs. Barker, their five children and Mrs. Barker’s brother, Jack Fisher who makes his home with them were left with only the clothing which they wore away from home a couple of hours earlier. The Barkers’s purchased the property in 1947. Some insurance was carried but not nearly enough to cover the loss. The family are living in the garage until more, comfortable quarters can be arranged. | A miscellaneous shower was givj en at the home of Mrs. Chajvpell i Thursday for them.