Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1905 — Bad Fire At Parr. [ARTICLE]

Bad Fire At Parr.

Logan Wood’s Store, and Blacksmith Shop, and W. H. Meyers House Burned. The town ot Parr six miles northwest of Rensselaer, was the scene of a bad fire early last Thursday morning. About four o’clock W. L. Wood’s large double store was discovered to be on fire, and when discovered the fire bad made such great headway that the building was almost ready to fall in, and not only could nothing be done to save the building, but none of the contents could be saved either. From the store the fire spread to a blacksmith shop adjoining, which also belonged to Mr. Wood having been bought by him within the the last two weeks. Nothing could be saved from the blacksmith shop either. The next building to take fire was W. H. Meyer’s residence, a rather small building, and from which nearly all the house hold goods were rescued.

George Wilcox’s store was in the line of the fire, and was in such eminent danger that most of the goods were taken out. The buined store was a single story building, but was a double store. It was the first building of any kind erected at Parr, having been built by Judge S. P. Thompson, some 12 years ago, and by him sold to Mr. Wood, and he had added considerably to it size, making it a double store, one part being a general store and the other for. buggies, harness etc. Mr, Wood’s livery barn and resi douce had a close call, but were saved by hard work. His total loss he estimates at $5,000, but with $3,800 insurance. He is postmaster at Parr, and has secured a temporary rpom for the office in Judge Thompson’s building across the street. His papers are in his safe, and he will not know the full extent of his loss until he can get at the safe. H s will arrange temporary quarters .for his business, and rebuild as soon as the weather will permit.

Mr. Myres’ loss is estimated at STOO, with no insurance, Mr. Wilcox’s goods were considerably damaged by being carried out. He is fully insured in B. F. Ferguson’s agency. Mr. Wood’s insurance is in Irwin & Irwin’s agencies, and is sj,ooo on the buildings and SI,BOO on the stock, it is also SI,BOO more thau Mr. Wood himself thought was in forced There is nothing known as to the origin of the fire-