Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1906 — MORE ABOUT THE BIG FIRE [ARTICLE]

MORE ABOUT THE BIG FIRE

There seems practically no doubt that the depot district fire was Started from a defective flue in the Hendrickson barber shop or in the residence that adjoined it on the r ear. At about the same time that the fire was discovered from the outside, Mrs. Hendrickson, who slept in the first room up stairs in the rear of the barber shop, was awakened by smoke in the room, and hastily awakened her husband ■ and.the.two children. The rooms were then so dense with smoke that there was no time to dress, in fact, the 13-years-old son was almost overcome by the smoke. Mrs. Hendrickson made her escape clothed in her night dress only, while the two sons went to a neighbors to put on such scant clothing as could be secured in the hasty leaving. Some of Hendrickson's belongings from down stairs were saved, namely, both barber chaiis, dining table, side board, kitchen cabinet and four kitchen chairs, but all were more or less damaged by rough handling. Hendrickson had a small stock of cigars and $26 in money in the money drawer, which was lost, the parties who saved the barber chairs not knowing the money was there. Their household furniture was all new, having been bought only a few months ago. It included parlor chairs, carpets, lounge, two bed room Suites, two mattresses, two feather beds, ten pillows, wall pictures and book s, besides all their clothing. Neighbors are caring for the family for the time and have supplied them with clothing. The residence portion of this building was erected some 28 years ago and it has been added to at various times since then, the main business room having been erected by -.who W. King about 16 years ago and the barber shop room by C. E Elershman about 10 years ago. Mr. To ly had owned the building abon. two months, and had arrived here with his household goods only a few hours before the fire. He carried SBOO insurance and is already making plans to rebuild, expect i i ig to erect a substantial cement busi ess room and to carry out his original intention of conducting a grocery store. The hotel was across the alley nori’’ of Mr. Jolly’s building and ignii 1 near the roof which was almo t entirely burned off, and cave < I in in several of the 14 up stair rooms. The restaurant room and ;bo room opoijpied by Rutherford’s butcher s..on were not much damaged except by the water, but several living rooms in the rear as well as the south wall were much burned. The stairway and upper floors are still sound, and the SIOOO insurance will probably repair the damage. Henry Reed and wife who ran the hotel, got much of their belong ings out and have them stored in a ' house north of the railroad. Their loss came in the burning of beds and bed clothing and the breaking of several articles in moving. C. E. Osborne, who owned the building, had several beds and mattresses up stairs, and these were either burned or badly damaged by water. The Ruthertord butcher shop is now being run in Rush & Warren’s carpenter shop across the street from its old location.