Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1909 — HOT BARN BLAZE MONDAY AFTERNOON. [ARTICLE]

HOT BARN BLAZE MONDAY AFTERNOON.

Fire Company Conquers Fire That Originated In Frank Sing’s Barn After Hard Fight

Late Monday afternoon fire started in Frank King’s barn on his property near the Monon tracks. The alarm was given hut the engine team was away from the house at the time and the bus team was hurriedly brought on the scene and hitched to the engine. By the time the engine arrived at the fire it had gained such headway that it was Impossible to save het building, so the attention of the firemen was directed to the adjoining buildings, several of which were already on fire. By diligent and persistent work the firemen kept the blaze confined to the King barn and several smaller buildings near by. It was as hot a fire as has been seen in this place for some time, great black clouds of smoke ascending and burning fragments of wood flying in all directions. Directly across the alley was another barn owned by Mr. King and nearby was the barn on the Kenon Blankenship property, but these two buildings were saved without considerable damage. At one' time twelve buildings, barns, chicken coopß and out buildings, were on fire. The origin of the fire is unknown, but as is usual in such cases it has been attributed to boys smoking cigarettes, but there is no information at hand to substantiate this report. Mr. King estimates his financial loss to be between $250 and $300,. there being SIOO insurance on the —barn and SSO on the contents. It has been said that trouble never comes single-handed, and this seems to be true in the case of Mr. King. Last fall Mrs. King figured Jn a runaway accident and had her leg broken. A few months later his blacksmith shop was burned and his loss was several hundred dollars. About three weeks ago his father dropped dead very suddenly. Misfortune certainly seems to be on the trail of Mr. King.