The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-07-16
A DISASTROUS FIRE.

The most destructive and disastrous
fire that has occurred in our city since
the burning of the Opera House some
five years ago occurred about IL O'Clock
Friday night last, ut which time the
large frame barn belonging to the Amer
lean House, together with four horses
two mules, three cows, quantity o.
hay and other contents were consumed
The fire was first discovered by Mrs
j. w. Hoerr, who was awakened by the
bright light shining through her bed
room window. Arousing her husband
he fastened to the barn which was by
this time pretty thoroughly enveloped
in flames, ana succeeded in rescuing
his stallion and mare and colt. About
this time general alarm had been
sounded, and Mr.. Zimmerman, ST., and
Mayor Carney who were just starting
for home, having but short time prev
ious been in attendance at a: special
committee meeting of the council, ar
rived upon the scene. By prompt ac-
ton they succeeded in saving two car
riages belonging to w. Il. Hoerr, and
everything else in the barn at the time
was consumed. Jay Cook, the cele-
brated road stallion which has made the
season here for the past three years
was among the horses lost. At the time
Messrs. Zimmerman end Carney arriv-
oil ot tha bo M, fh;S yoluo hla hnroa oo,,ld
have been saved had it not been for the
secure fastening upon the door of the
stall which prevented them from getting
to him. Mr.. Harrier, the keeper of Jay
Cook, held the key to the door, and as
soon as he was made acquainted with
the fact of the fire fastened to relieve
the animal from his prison pen, but
when he entered his stall and cut the
halter-strap the animal fell over dead,
or nearly 80. His head at this time was
burned almost to a crisp. Jay Cook
was noble animal, valued at 81 100,
and was making his last stand here for
the season. He was owned by Mr.. j.
b. Stafford, of Fergus Falls.
j. w. Hoerr, Esq, lost two horse val
ued mt 800. A span of mules, harness
and wagon belonging to VIM. Ledbeter,
of Medo, the gentlemen who carries the |
mail between Mankato and Minnesota |
Lake were also consumed.
w. Il. Hoerr had a colt in the barn
which was lost, that belonged to Mr..
John Swartz, of Shokopee. The colt |
was sent here for Billy to take care of
while the owner made visit east, and
was valued at $500.
Mr.. j. w. Hoerr lost three fine mich
cows. One was burned in the building,
one died within few minutes after be.
ing taken from the barn, and the third
was so badly burned that she had to be
killed.
Mr.. Hoerr estimates his individual
loss at about $1,000 with only $3.50 in
surance. The rate of insurance being
I per cent. Mr.. Ii. did not feel guaran-
iced in carrying any considerable in
surance. The other property consum-
ed was uninsured, and the total loss
foots up to about 600.
While the origin of the fire is not DOS
lively known, it is nevertheless beliey-
ed to be the work of an lncendiary.
Everything points to this Interpretation
IF the cause of the fire. Only a few
minutes before the fire broke out Mr..
Iioerr was IN the stable and everything
vas all right. Within thirty minutes
hereafter the structure was all ablaze.
About three o'clock second alarm
vas sounded, and the fire department
promptly responded. This time it was
he Washington House that was endan-
,ered. That this was the work of an
ncendiary there is no question. Near
he clubhouse where the fire originated
| pitcher was found which had contain
I'd kerosene oil and there is no reasona-
de doubt but the contents had been
lsed to create quick blaze. Forum
Itely this fire was soon eXtInguished. {
The locality in which these fires &C. !
GTrlfh afT lad not ;BS Been for the
act that no wind was blowing at the
inc there is no telling what the result
would have been, but that it would have
esulted in a destruction of the entire ,
block there is no question. The fire de-
,artnent did valieHt service and for
heir prompt, efficient and continuous
abors, every one feels thankful and es-
,ecially grateful.