The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-11-09
A threatening Fire.

One of the most dangerous and threat
ening fires which ever occurred in thu
city broke out about four o'clock this
Thursday morning, in the old livery
barn owned by r. O. Hall and occupied
by Kerneghan & Meigs, of the city
omnibus and dray line. About foul
| O'Clock the alarm was sounded, and ever
then the barn was enwrapped in flames
beyond all hope of salvation, but the
gallant firemen. who responded with the
utmost promptness, bentevery energyto
saving the adjacent property. The barn
was an enormous structure, 4Sx60 feet
with an addition 16x85 feet, extending
backward into the very heart of the
block in the rear of and close to the
business houses on Main-st. The build
ing was erected twenty-five years ago,
add was originally used as a stage barn.
It's frame was OF heavy sound timbers,
and it was just the food for flames to
fatten on. The heat was intense. and
the air was filled with great sparks and
blazing fragments OF shingles and siding.
Fortunately there was no wind, and the
sparks were not carried to any distance.
The origin Of the fire was incendiary
beyond question, and the matter will be
investigated to the bottom, and it is
believed that there is subst antial founda-
ton to work upon. There is a set
determination not to let the matter rest
until every clueis worked out to the end.
William Meigs, one of the proprietors
of the omnibus line slept in the Office of
the stable, and was awakened by the
breaking of glass by the heat, and when
he opened the door into the barn the
structure was full of fire. He managed
to save the omnibus and one wagon,
but was driven out before he could reach
the stables were the horses were. The
firm had five horses in the stables, and
Geo. r. Whitney had four horses and a
team of mules which he was keeping in
the barn, all of which were burned. In
addition to the five horses, Kerneehan
& Meigs lose two drays, three sets of
harness, ten tons of hay, quantity of
feed, blankets, ETC., valued at $3.50 at a
conservative estimate, upon which there
was insurance of about $3.50. Mr..
Whitney estimates his losses, part of
which is borne by the Standard Bank of
Minneapolis for which he is doing busi-
ness, at $500 upon which there is no
insurance.
The building was insured for $4,000, as
follows:
Milwaukee Mechanics $1,000
Security of New Haven 500
Fireman's Fund 500
That this exceeds the loss is admitted.
Mr.. Hall recently put on $500 insurance
under the misapprehension that there
was but $1,000 on it. He had mislaid
one policy for $500, and in looking over
his insurance thought he had but the
one policy in force.
A barn belonging to Louis Kroessin in
the rear of his shop, was partially de-
stroyed. His three horses we've gotten
out without injury. He had no insur-
ance, although holding a policy in a
defunct company.
The remains OF the horses burned to
death in the fire presented horrible
appearance. They should be removed
as soon as possible in the interest Of
health.
This fire following so closely upon the
one i'll the old Apfeld bvrn not only leads
color to the suspiscion of incendiarism,
but gives additional light to the subject.
A subscription paper circulated for the
benefit of Kerneghan & Meigs has met
with generous response, and it is prob
able that $500 will be given. They are
worthy, industrious and accommodating
Young men, and deserving of this con-
sideration.
R. o. Hall, the owner of the building,
is visiting friends in St. Paul, his wife
being with him.