Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 September 1884 — Fire at Rose Lawn. [ARTICLE]

Fire at Rose Lawn.

From a Special Correspondent. On the-morning of Sept sth. afire broke out in the big store of Keller Craig, and in a Short time the building ahd contents were reduced to 'ashes. The fire was first discovered about three o’clock a. m., by their book-keeper, J. W. Kurtz, who was sleeping upstairs in thei building, and was awakened by the stifling smoke, just in time to “save his bacon”. It was a close call for the young man. Soon as he got out and recovered his breath he gave the alarm and in a Short time the whole village was afobsefl and doing all they could to save the building. But the fire had got too big a start. They did save the outside buildings. Sheds, machinery, lumber &c., by hard work and keeping the big force-pump going. This pump is a largb Size force-pump, placed near the building and furnished With plenty of hose &c., always ready for just such an emergency, without its aid nothing would have lietn saved. The (ibntents of the store were nearly all consumed, a few prints, muslins, two show cases, and a few other articles, about $l5O worth, were got Out. The firm of Keller, Craig & Co. founded and built up Rose Lawn, they first began business in the spring dt 1881, before the railroad Was completed, and by their push, energy jind enterprise, built up not only a tine business, but a fine town also. The old settlers will all remembef the long, hard struggle they had to secutb the location of a station here, but the people backed them tip, and finally overcame all opposition . Early last spring Mr. Orland Rose, after whom the town was named, withdrew from the firm, since when the firm has been composed of Jacob Keller and Lon Craig, they were carrying about a $12,000 stock and were partly insured. They have already fcdfhmefited business again, will use machinery hall for a temporary store, and will build a new store as large or larger than the old one.

The calendar ot daily accidents is frightful. The variety of their happenings, the unexpected manner of their occurrence, the diversity their fruits and the universality of their Victims, warn us that no man or woinan,- of whatever calling, is secure from accidental iniuVy and that any of as may be next on the list. Railway and water travel are popularly believed to be especially dangerous. v Every newspaper we see adds new names to’ the awful list of persons thus killed ot maimed. Yet more persons are injured at home in avocations than on all the railroads, rivers, lakes and Seas together. Mechanics are lacerated by the tools c*r innchinery they hourly use. Fafrttefs afrfe daily liable its countless dangers. Merchants, lasers, doctors, ofiicC men, clerks and even ministers are among the daily list. A misstep of slip, a twitch of the ankle or wrist, a sudden movement. often disables for days or weeks. From the quarter, and at the time, least expected we receive a hurt, or disabling injury A list of unexpected, unthought of, casualties for one day would astonish everybody. The most abundant caution can not make us secure. Dangers come frcm sources unforeseen. These facts lead the most careful and wisest business men to provide against calamity fey accident insurance. TElif leaves something for dependent ones if death results, ot helps to pay expenses while the hurt being cured. The cost is trifling, the indemnity in th£ Traveler’s which pays out vast sums' c-vVry month to its injured patrons.

FRANK W. BAECOCK, Agt.