Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1893 — ANOTHER BAD FIRE. [ARTICLE]

ANOTHER BAD FIRE.

Rensselaer’s Last Remaining Flouring Mill is Now a Heap of Ashes. At about 5 o’clock Tuesday morning, Rev. B. Utz, who had arisen early, to take the morning train, discovered dense smoke pouring from the engine room of the Rensselaer Mill. He gave the alarm, and Night Watch McColly, who had just retired from his night’s duties, ran to the town hall and rang the fire bell. Rev. Utz also rang the Christian church bell. The fire company and quite a large crowd of citizens soon got on the scene, but the flames had spread with their usual rapidity in mills, and nothing could be done to save the building and its contents, and so great was the heat, that it was impossible to approach the building, at all. T. J. Sayler, owner of the mill, courageously ventured in and saved the books, beside which nothing else was saved. The fire company did valiant service in preventing the spread of the flames, and to their exertions, and of citizens, was owing the salvation of Postmaster E. D. Rhoades’ residence, directly accross the street, on the east, and Mrs. W. N. Jones’ residence, across the alley, to the north. The mill was a very old and therefore very dry and inflammable, and it burned with undiscribable fierceness, and above it and far to the eastward, following the current of the wind, the air was thick with a fiery cloud of sparks, and blazing shingles. These fell in showers, on houses, barns and hay-stacks, and only the fact that everything was shielded with a covering of snow, prevented new fires breaking out, in untold and uncontrollable numbers. Some 2000 bushels of wheat and 50 or more barrels of flour, in the main building, with a car load of coal in the engine house, added substantial food to the fury of the fire. The roof and siding of the mill soon vanished,but the ponderous oaken frames, 34 years old, but sound as the days they were hewn, burned long and fiercely, but within an hour and a

half of the time the fire was first discovered, the last of these had fallen, and nothing was left but a pile of blazing ruins. The mill which was built in 1849 by Kerns, Chestnut & Clark, and has since had many owners, was the property of Thos. J. Sayler, and was worth with its engine and machinery about $6,000. It was a good mill, fitted with modern appliances and was doing a splendid business. It was rented, for S6O per month, to John T. Sayler, D. E. Hollister and Homer Hopkins. They were the principal owners of the wheat and flour des-

troyed, although a part of the wheat belonged to neighboring farmers. The mill was a valuable industry to our town, people coming here to patronize it from a distance of 18 or 20 miles, in every direction; the very day it was burned 2 teams coming with wheat from near Morocco. The only insurance upon the mill and machinery was $1,200, with J. E. Spitler’s agency. This sum will only about cover the amount of the indebtedness to the Rensselaer Building & Loan Association, leaving the balance of the value of the mill and its contents a total loss. A considerable portion of the wheat was stored .in a projecting and elevated bin, and this was not all burned, and will make good chicken and hog feed. The mill will likely be rebuilt, as it surely ought to be, and on a larger scale, than the old one. Its location and reputation are both excellent, and if, as we understand to be the case, Mr. Sayler’s remaining means are not sufficient to rebuild on an adequate scale, some of our wealthy and enterprising citizens should find it to their own and the community’s advantage, to invest with him in the enterprise. In fact, we can say for certainty, that the mill will be speedily rebuilt on its, former site, if our citizens will offer a reasonable encouragement. The origin of the fire is not known, but thr more probable theory, especially considering its location when first seen, is that it resulted in spontaneous combustion in a large pile of slack coal, a not unusual occurence. T. J. Sayler’s total direct loss, above insurance and value of damaged engine, is $3,500. J.T. Sayler, Hollister & Hopkins lose $ 1,500. The first named also loses the rental of his mill, and the last three their means of livlihood Persons who reached the fire while it was still confined to the engine

room say that when .it got into the main building it spread all over it, almost like a flash. , Sayler & Co’s stone crasher stood beside the mill, and was covered by a wooden drive bridge. The wind being in a favorable direction, this bridge did not take fire until the main building had fallen, and the fire company, was then able to tear down the burning part of the bridge and to save the crusher. About half the windows were broken out in the front of E. D. Rhoades’ house, and the paint ruined. In Mrs. Jonses’ house also, a number of widdow panes were broken. A joint stock company and a $20,000 brick mill, is being talked of some. A good idea, but perhaps to chip in and help Saylers & Co., rebuild theirs would be still better. Nowels & Son ought to rush the erection of their proposed new mill, and at the same time, the Sayler mill ought to be replaced as soon as possible. There is plenty grain to be had for both to have all the work they can do.

The champion liar has been located. He resides at Fergus falls, Minn. and is connected with the editorial staff of the. Journal at that place. A recent issue of that paper says that a farmer of that place raised one thousand bushels of pop-corn this year and stored it in a barn. The barn caught fire, the corn began to pop and filled a 10-acre field. An old mare in a neighboring pasture had defective eye sight, saw the com, thought it was snow, and laid down and froze to death. Housekeeper ; —Anyone wanting a woman to keep house, please address Mrs. C. David, at Rose Lawn, Ind. Hon. Mark L. DeMotte, of Valparlso, was married last Thursday, to Miss Clara A. Stevens. The groom, who has been a widower for some years is one of the best-known Republicans in northern Indiana, having represented the Tenth district in Congress and led the Republican side in the state Senate at the time the Democrats were successful in seating the usurper Green Smith as President of the Senate. He was appointed postmaster of Valparaiso by president Harrison. The bride is prominent in educational circles, and was assistant principal of the Valparaiso High-school for several years.

Uncle Charley Rhoades has moved his harness shop into the building south of McCoy’s bank, just vacated by Warner & Shead. Cheap Millinery goods at cost at Mrs. Leckliders through Jan. and February. Two men from the neighborhood of Watseka, Ill., are moving upon some of the land B. J. Gifford lately purchased of Geo. H. Brown Jr., in Barkley Tp. They stayed at the Goff House, Saturday night and the next morning at six o’clock started back in their lumber wagons for Watseka. The thermometer was nearly 20 below zero when they started. All kind of mill feed at the elevator and feed mill. Austin & Hopkins will loan you money on short or long time at current bank rates, on personal, chattel or mortgage security, with out delay. Our item of two weeks ago to the effect that Calvin and Suda L Grimm, Union tp’s latest divorced couple, had remarried again, was too previous. A license authorizing their marriage was issued by the county clerk, but word from the fair bride that was’nt to be, has been received in town, to the effect that the marriage did not take place, and that the fair but fickle Calvin has gone hence and she knew not his whereabouts. Everything fresh and new and first class, and at lowest living prices, at Warner & Shead’s the new goocery Store. Lost.— From sleigh near Public square, one small Ledger, containing receipts and accounts of Madison Makeever Estate. Finder will please leave the same at this office and oblige CLARA COEN, ADMX. Why don’t you give Bob Phillips a trial on your laundry work? He is agent for the Keystone Laundry of Chicago which has a reputation for first class work, second to none. Good clean work! Soft Flannels reasonable. He Is leading in the town trade and respectfully solicits work from his country fellows! Should you lose anything yon don’t have to be put off from time to time, but bring your ticket and be paid cash on the spot! A trial will sorely please you! Work left before Wednesday noon can be had Saturday noon. 21-10t.

R. B. Wilson has, been tracking wolves some, lately, and last Monday killed a big one, out east, some place. Mr. Vergerus, the canning factory man, has not sent in his modified proposition yet, and there seems little prospect that he ever will. The county jail now has one tenant a man named Ferris sent over from Newton county. He is charged with horse-stealing. The creamery at Medaryville was burned last Thursday night. It was a good building and outfit, but had not been profitably conducted. The particulars of the fire we have not learned. M. F. Chilcote, has a new sleigh for sale, cheap for cash. Call and see him before you buy. The north side down-town meatshop has at last given up for good, and the last partners, Thomas and Al Ramey have divided the tools and taken them away. Frank Weathers is visiting his mother, Mrs. C. G. Weathers, for a few days, after an absence of over eight years. He is located at Divide, Colo., in mercantile business. His wife came east with him and is visiting her people, in West Virginia. Misses Rose and Ella Culp have sold their farm in Barkley Tp., the old John G. Culp homestead, to Geo. H. Brown Jr. It was 320 acres in extent and the price paid was $8000. Mr. Brown has also just bought 400 acres, of A. McCoy, in Hanging Grove Tp. Mark, the eight year old son of Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Benjamin, died of diphtheria, Tuesday forenoon, after a sickness of from only last Friday; on which day he came home sick, from school. He was an unusually bright, handsome and promising little fellow and his death is a heavy blow indeed, to his sorrowing parents. An older brother had the disease just previously and recovered. Saturday night was not only the coldest of the winter, so far, but the coldest weather, in this locality, for many years. Early the next morning thermometers indicated 20 below zero, and many of them even 22 below. During the entire day Sunday, the mercury did not show higher than six below, except in the sun shine. Sunday and Monday nights were also very cold, the temperature being 14 to 18 below, each night.