The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-01-12
DISASTROUS FIRE!
Berry Bros. Immense Establishment
Burned to the Ground In Less
Than One Hour.
Building and Stock a Total Loss
Aggregating 100000.
Total Insurance, S45, 900.

quiet city, and proved TO be the i'm
mense establishment of Berry Bros
Mercantile Company, corner First ant
Cedar streets. The fire companies re
spOnded faithfully TO the alarm, blu
their efforts proved unavailing, as TIN
entire building, from basement to tn,
upper story, from east wall to ives
wall, and from north bounGry to souti
bOundry, was one seetbing mass O
flame, and in less than one hour from
the time the alarm was sounded, thu
| entire structure was a mass of ruins
Where few days ago stood one of til,
stores which added beauty to Abilene
and of which our citizens were proud
nothing remains but smoulde.-ing pill,
of debris.
At the time Of the fire the wind wa:
blowing from the north, and not hing
but the vigilence of the fire departm ent
assisted by citizens, saved the ID any
frame buildings lying south of The
burning block. On the north and
across the street stands a row of franle
buildings which were in imminent
danger, but the occasional sprinkling
given them by the fire department pre-
vented them being fired.
Smiths drug store on the east, and
across the street, although built Of
brick, required an occasional dosing be-
cause of the extreme heat. All the
glass on the west side of the building
was broken, including the large French
plate, valued at $50.
About thirty feet south of the main
building operated by Berry Bros. stood
a small frame building. occupied by
q. Ii. Cummerland as tin shop. The
building was owned by Berry Bros,
and was burned to the ground. nothing
being saved. Mr.. Cummerlaud'S loss
will probably reach 81, 500, insured for
5000.
South of the tin shop was the fire
proof implement house of the firm, and
the heat was so intelSe at
this point that the wood work on the
inside ignited, and before the fire could
be put out Learly half the building was
destroyed, including the implements at
that end of the building.
On the west of the burning block and
against the solid wall on that side,
stood a frame building belonging to
Michael Hoffman, this structure was
considerably damaged, but the loss is
fully covered by insurance.
Mr.. John CantweH, the mail carrier
for the west half of the city, occupied
a room in the second story of the build
ing and SO rapidly had the flames
spread before he knew his danger that
he barely escaped with his life, having
time only to secure an armful of cloth
ing. He made his escape in his bare
feet.
Part of the basement in the Berry
block was occupied by r. c. Markee as
a barber shop. In addition to his
barber tools Mr.. Markee had stored
away in his rooms, eight banios, eight
drums, two trunks filled with full-stage
wardrobe belonging to the boys (whose
reputation as musicians is widespread,
and who are the objects of much praise
and favorable commentator through
out the state) and valued at $3.50, and
a bench of tools and jewelry, valued at
$500. His barber tools were valued at
about S75. His loss will probably ag-
gregate 81 900. No insurance. Mr..
Markets loss, owing to bis financial
circumstances, is more to be deplered
than that of any other loser by the fire.
He is poor man and made his living
by the use of the implements burned.
He deserves the assistance of the good
people of Abilene, and we trust that
his condition will be looked after, and
that he will receive assistance in the
way of something more substantial
than expressed regrets.
The main building occupied by the
Berry Bros. Mercantile Company was a
two-story and basement brick building,
100 feet square. The basement and
upper story were used for storage pur-
poses, and the first floor was heavily
stocked with clothing, boots and shoes,
groceries, harness, hardware and stoves,
carria yes, buggieS, wagons, ETC., ETC.,
none of which were saved from the de-
vouring flames.
Their entire loss including buildings,
stock, ETC., will probably aggregate
100000. The amount Of insurance, as
reported by the bookkeeper, Mr.. Mid
dleton. amounts to $4,000. This in
surance is carried by from fifteen to
twenty companies and ranges in sums
from 81 900 to $4,000. All the valuable
books and papers are in the safe and
supposed to be in good condition.
Berry Bros.-JOhn and z. J.-began
business in our city about fifteen years
ago with comparatively nothing to
start on, but by square dealing and a
constant application of business prin-
ciples, they have built up trade and
reputation not eXcelled by any other
firm in the state. They have thousands
of friends and patrons who sympathiZe
with them in their loss.
In a conversation with p. J. Berry
this morning We reporter was informed
that ere the flowers bloom in the spring
there will be commenced in place of
the structure just destroyed by fire, a
building which will put the old one to
shame. They are live, energetic men,
and do not propose to let the fire of
Sunday morning put an end to their
business career in Abilene.
As to the origin of the fire, We can
give our readers no information.
Nightwatchman Apologize says that
he was in the vicinity of the store at
5 o'clock in the morning, and that at
that time there was no signs of fire. d.
G. Smith is said to have been near there
at $50 and he noticed no fire. No
alarm was sent in to the water works,
but the employees there noticed the light
at $50 and gave the alarm. At that
time the building was all in flames, as
we have said before. How the fire
started still remains a mystery land will
probably never be known.