The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1877-01-18
Burning OF the Grange Elevator.

On Monday morning last. M about III o clock
the ;rarm of fire was sounded and people came
pouring into the streets from the business
houses to fad that the Grange Elevator, on
Seventh street, was on fire. When discovered,
the fire and smoke was pouring out OF the
cupola and everything indicated that the build
ing had been burning for some time. liz five
minutes after the alarm was sounded the whole
root was on fire, and those who had assembled
went to work with a will to save the property
stored therein and To keep the fire from spread
ing. The rear doors of the elevator WAS burst
open when it was found that the whole build
ing was in flames. and that no one could enter
on account of the heat and smoke. just as
the Babcock arrived, and before it could be
placed in position the residence of Mr.. Ii. NJ.
Smons. just south of the elevator, caught
fire and all ,fforts to save it proved futile. The
hook aud ladder boys soon had their large
hook ia the root and a portion of the house
was torn down. small shed adjoining Mr..
Simons' house was also burned. The men
worked with will and with the assistance of
the Babcock the fire was kept from spreading
among the small stables and storehouses which
SIOOu Close " tflc uuilAliil-c. iHt lOSs
from the lire is estimated at from $1,000 to
$4,000 and with only AN insurance on the
building OF about Sl.500. The building be-
longed TO VIM. K. Gels, and was used by the
county Grange for an elevator and warehouse.
The Grange loss is not fully known, but is
timated al from 5000 10 $500 in elevating ma
chinery and grain, with no insurance. In the
haa NJ fh..h nitlinU t.ra sfnr.s1 n
number OF Woods SELF binders. valued at
about 5000 Messrs. A. j. Schwartz < Bro,
held their machines on commission from J. E
Haynes. st Louis. Mo. Messrs Schwartz also
had about 81 900 worth of machinery stored
ia the building. They had no insurance on
their property. Mr.. Frank Robb lost AL Of
his clothing excerpt what he had on furniture
aud private papers. which were IN his room m
the building Mr. Pohlseen also lost about
500 in stock stor,d ia the building Mr.. G..
{. Prabert's furniture and silyerware were
storVl in the warehouse. and were all DESTROY
ed. Mr. >imous lost his house and some fur
niture and clothing. This is the second time
he has been burned out on that lot and the
loss falls heavil, upon him.
A strong northwest wind had been blowing
all the morning. and seemed 10 increase in its
fury a. the fire progressed. Many had their
/ ears and ieet frozen. The supply Of water in
the vicinity OF the fire gave out. and but for
thu timely Use of the force pump and bose
back OF Whitehead & Seaman's the fire would
have spread to adjourning buildings and a
general conhagration ensned.
i The engine and hook and ladder did excel
lent service after they arrived upon the
grounds.
i During the morning Mr.. Robb had had q
coal Dire in his room. but when Ire left IL was
nearly out, and he had. a. he supposes. closed
everything up tight. IL IS thought that the
wind may have blown down The chimney and
scattered the fire upon the floor. Another con
lecture Is that the fiae may have been defect
i've