Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-10-09
WENT UP IN SMOKE.
JEFFCOAT'S LIVERY BARN AND
CONTENTS DESTROYED.
Fifteen Horses Perish in the Flames
-Buggies, Harness etc., Are Lost
Nothing Saved-Loss Over S.
900 With No Insurance.

| UUO WIFI NO INSURANCE.
The most disastrous fire in the re
cent history of Abilene occurred Thurs
day night at 11:30 O'Clock when The
frame livery barn of A. Jeffcoat Oh
Spruce street between Third and
} Fourth was burned to the ground,
nothing being saved.
The fire was seen by three or foul
different parties at about the same
time. John Maloney, Of Maloney
Bros, with hostler in a neighboring
barn was the first on the ground. He
saw the fire as he was closing his bill
lard hail.. the flames showing in the
northeast corner of the building. He
rushed to the place and found every
thing closed. Going through the Office
he went into the main part of the barn
where the smoke was SO dense that he
could scarcely see. He united two
horses and attempted to get them out
but could not and was obliged to run
for his life. He awakened the two boys
sleeping in the barn and they too es-
capped. The fire companies were soon
on hand, the alarm having been given
by the hostler, but nothing could be
done except save the neighboring
buildings. Only for the fact that it
was a comparatively still night even
this would have been impossible.
THE LOSS 5000.
The rapidity with which the flames
got under way in the tinder-like struc-
ture precluded the saving of anything.
The complete list of the loss of Mr..
Jeffcoat outside of the building takes
in nearly everything he possessed. He
lost IL horses, 6 buggies, 2 carriages,
saddle and bride, sets double har-
ness, 2 sets single harness.
2 tons hay, $50 bushel oats.
one-half ton bran, whips, robes etc.,
common to livery barn. Beside this
there we're four boarding horses with
buggies and harnesses. &C. Sterl
lost his fine horse and phaetOn, DR..
Austin his horse and phaeton, James
Slough his horse and sulky and Fred
Wilcox his horse and buggy recently
purchased, Carl Potter and r. NJ.
White each had buggy stored there
and EichOltz's best heaIse was in the
barn. All were burned and so far as
can be learned not dollars worth of
insurance was held on them. The to-
tai loss cannot be less than So, 900.
SUFFERING HORSES.
The most pathetic part of the fire
was the burning of the 10 fine horses
the remains of all of which were found
in the stalls when the smoke cleared
away. No cries of pain were heard
from them but it was probably because
of suffOcation from the dense smoke.
William Conrad, the stable boy and
farm lad who was staying with him
had gone to bed but a short time before
had not time to put on their clothing
after they were awakened.
The loss is particularly hard one on
Mr.. JeffcOat. He has been for years
Dne Of Abilene's most respected and
lard working citizens and has the SYM
oathy of all in his misfortune.
The firemen worked their hardest
and fought the flames to the best of
heir ability. Abilene's citizens out
side the department also took a hold
md aided materially in subduing the
lanes,
Mr.. Jeffcoat wishes US to extend his
hanks to the iremen and all others
who assisted him last night and have
their sympathy today. We
rope that in some way arrangements
an be made by which be can again get
nto business.
The debris is being cleared away to-
lay, the charred remains of the dead
lOrSes making immediate action nee.
'ssary,
After the fire Warren Thayer treated
he fremen handsomely by inviting
hem to partake Of coffee and refresh
nents at his restaurant on Third
treet. The boys appreciate his