Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-12-21
%DASTARDLY DEED.
The Red Ravisher Threatens n CITY.
"A Narrow Escape Of One.
Half the Square from
Fire.-Notes and
~ Incidents. 3

lco came near suffering a severe in
eendiary confiagration. The fire when
discovered was raging in the rear Of
the Republican printing office over j.
NJ. Bush's grocery store. 1t was I'M
der good Roadway and had broken
out into the alley under a stiff breeze.
Your reporter was among the very
first to visit the scene of the Ere, and
acting in the capacity of chief Of the
fire department in the absence of
chief Shea, he ordered all the front
doors kept shut to stop a draft, and
on going mp the rear stair way found
the back door into the printing office
open and the fire burning under the
cases at least 80 feet from any stove,
As the breeze stiffened up the fire
swept through the entire upper story
of the building. A line of hose was
at once taken up the rear stair way,
and although all present thought at
least the block was doomed, in ten
minutes the fire company had the FIRE
under control and in half an hour.
what promised to the biggest fire
Mexico ever had, was smothered to
q 8 5000 bleze. The printing office
was entirely burned. Bush's stock
was badly damaged by water but not
by fire. The building was owned by
Ricketts, & lannon's and was damaged
about $4,000 Lakenan & Barnes
lost their furniture but saved their
books. DR.. Heed's dental office vas
Quilted and instruments and furniture
burned. Rickets & Emmons' stock
of dry goods wefe injured by smoke
and water to a considerable extent.
The fire engine worked like a charm
and the company was desperate in its
efforts to show whatit could do when
called on. The bucket brigade rem
dered valuable assistance. We think
no fire anywhere vas ever any better
handled than this one was, and we
trust those chronic grumblers who
have been trying to break up the fire
company will nov hold their tongues.
The company more than 100 times
over paid for itself Tuesday morning.
The private citizens who do not be-
long to the fire company and at the
same time relieved the boys at the
pumps deserve much credit for the
good work that was done. 1t is bad
enough to have fires which cannot be
helped but whenever we know of an
incendiary fire we always feel like
saying words not in the dictionary.
One thing is evident. i. e., that the
fire was started in the Republican Of
flee and for the destruction of that
office. W. fail to think of any man
IN Mexico who would do such a das-
tardly deed. Thousands of dollars
worth of property were endangered to
satisfy the spite Or cupidlty of some
one. Such things should not occur
in an enlightened community.
- SPARKS.
The fire engine never before worked
better.
Nearly the entire loss is covered by
insurance.
The fire company pumped two
good wells fire.
Less stealing was done at this fire
than ever before.
The powder and coal oil in Bush's
store made a narrow escape.
Every building put up OF the
square should have fire walls. +.
Some people work too hard at a
fire andssome do not work at all.
Ricketts, & Emmons are holding
their stock subject to the readjusters.
The LEpaER will paw $50 on the
conviction of the man who started the
fire.
The frame shanties just west of the
Ringo House seemed doomed not to
burn.
j. NJ. Bush has moved into the old
99c store until Ricketts, & Emmons
rebuild.
Ricketts, & Emmons moved their
stock out when the fire threatened the
whole block.
James Bunton, night-watchman dis
covered the fire and was prompt to
give the alarm.
At one time it was thought at least
the whole of the southwest corner of
the square would burn up.
The narrow stair way in the rear
of the block up which a line of hose
was taken gave the company a chance
to fight the fire right where it was the
hottest, and but for this it could not
have been put out.
Home Life Association.
We had the pleasure this week of
making the acquaintance of Nj. Geo.
H. Stier, OF Moberly, general agent
for NortheastzM Missouri OF the Home
LifeInsuranee Company Of Burling-
ton. Iowa. This company is run on
the cooperative plan Of insurance,
thereby placing its benefits within the
reach of the poor as well as the rich,
and behind this plan there is a capital
of 100000, insuring policy holders
against any loss whatever. The COM
pany has the endorsement of Col. j.
II IVsIIso-o .. --