Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1887 — A VILLAGE SWEPT BY FIRE. [ARTICLE]

A VILLAGE SWEPT BY FIRE.

Marshfield, Wis., Totally Wiped Out of Existence. ire almost swept out of existence the town of Marshfield, and 2,000 people are left homeless. The loss is not less than $1,000,000. A locomotive spark started a blaze in the lumber yard of the Upham furniture factory, and it rapidly developed into a roaring fire that spread toward the town. Insufficient fire protection facilities prevented any resistance to the flames and soon several flourishing factories, the business blocks along the main street, and adjoining residences were wrapped in flames. The people gathered such household effects as they could and fled to the woods. The heat Was so intense that 2,500 feet of the Wisconsin Central track, which runs through one end of the town, was bent and twisted into the most grotesque shape, on account of which travel was impeded for a whole day. Special trains from Stevens Point and Chippewa Falls conveyed fire-engines to the place, but the fire was beyond all control. But one store and a few half-burned houses remain in this flourishing town. Many people were transferred by specials -to neighboring towns, and others capped on the blackened outskirts of .the village. Among the buildings destroyed were a woodenware factory, the gristmill, sawmill, and factory of the Upham Manufacturing Company, the Tremont and several minor hotels, the warehouses along ths Wisconsin Central, its depot, four churches, and the entire business centre. The insurance is less than one-fifth of the loss.