Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1899 — Saturday Night’s Fire Alarm. [ARTICLE]

Saturday Night’s Fire Alarm.

The fire whistle sounded about 8 o’clock Saturday night and the fire company made a ran towards the west part of town, but on reaohing the vicinity of the school houses, word was received that the fire was out, and the procession returned to the engine house. The alarm was caused by a gaso r line stove explosion, at Vance Collins’ residence, in Austin & Paxton’s addition. Mrs. Collins had been using the stove, and had failed to turn it off completely. At any rate it leaked gasoline, and when she came into the room and lit a match, there was an explosion and the gasoline as it leaked from the stove was set on fire. Mr. Elloit, a neighbor, came in and carried the burning stove oat doors, and whatever other fire there was, was easily extinguished. Mrs, Collins’ hands were burned considerably, but otherwise no great harm resulted. The notice of the fire was sent in from Mrs. R. W. Marshall’s telephone, which caused the report, generally circulated but errouious, that the fire was at her place.