People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1893 — A COSTLY FIRE. [ARTICLE]

A COSTLY FIRE.

On* Lite Lost, a Prisoner Escapes and Eight Families Are Homeless. Benton, Mo., Oct. 26.—Fire on Tuesday destroyed fourteen business houses and residences here, including the roller mill, two hotels, post office and county jail. While trying to save his money John Schaeffer was killed by an explosion of gunpowder and his body burned to a crisp. When the jail took fire the prisoners were moved and one of them, under a five-year sentence to the penitentiary, escaped. The fire was caused by a hot box in the machinery of (the mill. The loss will approach. >75,000, with about one-third insured. But little was saved from the stores destroyed. Eight families are homeless