Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1906 — DESTRUCTIVE MIDNIGHT FIRE [ARTICLE]

DESTRUCTIVE MIDNIGHT FIRE

Depot District Visited In Conflagration Wednesday Night.

The Former Hershman Building and Part of Old Foster Hotel, Sheltering Several Small Businesses Destroyed, With Great Loss to Owners and Tenants. ■ •• —- -- An exceedingly destructive fire that wiped out the old Hershman store and residence building near the depot, now the property of C. E. Jolly, and practically ruined beyond repair the aid Foster hotel building, now the property of C. .E. Osborne, of Wanata, Ind., including the Jolly stock of goods, the Sam Hendrickson barber shop and household furniture, the Henry Reed restaurant, hotel and living rooms, and the Rutherford butcher shop, occured Wednesday night, the fire being discovered shortly before midnight by men who were moving Mr. Jolly’s household goods into the Fisher property which he also recently bought. There seems no doubt that the fire caught from a defective flue in Hendrickson’s barbershop, and in a short time the e ntire building

was in flares. The fire jlepartment responded promptly, but the the character of the buildings and the progress of the flames as well.as the frozen hose made it a difficult fight. Mr. Jolly secured the former Hershman building and stock in a trade about two months ago, and was prepairing to put in a more complete stock and embark in business, he having arrived here Wednesday morning to remain. In trade with Frank Ham t£e building and lot figured at #2,500, while the stock and fixtures ware invoiced at $3,300. He had SBOO insurance on the building and nothing whatever on the stock. 3am Hendrickson’s loss included his barber shop fixtures, househoid furniture and clothing, on which he had S6OO insurance. Mr. Osborne had SI,OOO insurance on the hotel, while Mr. and Mrs. j Reed, who had established quite a business in the restaurant and hotel line, had no insurance and lost much of their property. Rutherford’s butcher shop fixtures and meats on hand were saved.