The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1893-06-17
Saturdays Blaze.

saturdays Blaze.
Last Saturday evening fire occurred
in Meeker, and had there been strong
wind at the time there is no telling
where it would have ended.
1t was about ! / o'clock when William
Iluddleston, | who was on his way home,
discovered blaze in the rear room
of the building formerly occupied by
John Clarke as hardware store, and
We're not many people around, as nearly
everyone had retired for the night, but
in a short time a large crowd had con-
gregated.
Efforts to put out the fire in its incip-
iency were futile, owing to there being
no water in the ditch in front of the
place, and as it was the frame build
ings proved excellent food for the hun
CRY flames. In comparatively short
time nothing remained of the three
store rooms and the dwelling house in
the rear but pile of ashes.
uartke. the saddler, who occupied
the room next to the postotfice, hap
pened to be in his shop with his assist
ant, and when the alarm was given n
hurried investigation showed that it
would soon get too warm for him. No
time was lost in moving his tools and
stock to places OF safety.
1t was thought that the intense heat
would cause the l5aer building, in which
the postofice and all the county offices
are located, to also succumb to the
flames, but fortunately it didn't, al
though it cracked the brick walls and
roasted to beautiful black.
In anticipation of the fire spreading
the postoilice was cleared of everything,
as was also the sheriff and judges of
fees.
In the excitement incident to moving
the goods in the postoflice, the room
used by the Methodists was overlooked
apparently, and nothing was saved
therefrom. They lost their library,
''pewsn and other furniture, together
with an organ which belonged 10 w. II.
Jones.
The corner of Main and Sixth streets
presented an odd appearance as Old Sol
rose in the east Sunday morning and
the interior of the court house and post
Office showed that there were some very
excited people at the fire.
iIartke moved his stock to the Porges
building. adjoining Watscn's, and his
business is moving along as if nothing
had happened, as he is crowded with
work.
The origin of the fire is mystery
that is to say, the name of the party
who set fire to the buildings is mys-
terry and perhaps will always remain So
That it WAS the work of an incendiary
isn't doubted by anyone, as kerosene
was used very copiously at the starting
point.
In the aggregate about 5000 will
cover the losses. The burned buildings
were owned by =. f. Welch & Co., who
carried $1,000 insurance. IIartke lost
few trifles, $50 would replace them.
but had no insurance. Hay Il Wal
bridge are out several hundred dollars
Ill uoOuS DtlIs udLidbtu dhI teotIole eu'
and it will be week or so before the
place will look as it used to. The dam
age done to the Baer building is bard
to determine, as new wall may have
to be put in. 1t was insured, as was
also the postoiiice store stock.
Wednesday evening an adjuster came
in and he made an investigation of the
burned and damaged property. Upon
his report depends the action of the
insurance companies regarding the var
ious losses. We understand he has
made satisfactory settlement with each
of the losers.