Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-03-02
A SERIOUS FIRE.
Good Work by the Fire Laddies.

GOOd WORK by The Fire LaddiCS.
The Phillipsburg people had a
grand opportunity Tuesday to test
the efficiency of their system of wat
err works and fire department.
At $3.50 in the forenoon a gasoline
stove exploded in H. M. Whites res
taurant on the east side of the square
and in moment the building was
vomiting forth clouds of smoke and
pillows Of flame. The cries of fire
called out Rescue Hose in short order
and in very few moments the fire was
under control. The building in
which the fire originated is owned by
NJ. D, Cole and is about total wreck
as the interior was completely Quilted
by fire and water.
MIR. White, the occupant, was COM
PEELED to leave the building without
saving anything, as the flames spread
by the explosion, were through the
building IN an instant. After the fire
was partially subdued, Mr.. White re-
entered the room and secured $50 90
that was in the money drawer. His
restaurant stock valued Mt 5000 90 is
complete loss.
Mr.. Whites family consists of him
self, wife and baby. Fortunately the
two latter were away from home.
In adjoining rooms in the same
building was the family of DR.. Houck.
The first lntimatlon the occupants of
these rooms had of the fire, was the
flames bursting in through a window.
The family was hurried out, but were
unable to remove any household goods
until after the fire was out, and what
was secured then was in a horrible
condition.
The Doctors loss is one that is hard
to compute, but he loss almost every
thing he had.
Just north of Whites is the broom
factory of Handy & Son. This firm
sustained loss of about 500 90 in
brooms and broom stock destroyed
Their machinery and large share of
their supplies were hurried into the
street, The building they occupy IS
owned the Pennsylvania Investment
Company, and is damaged to the ex,
tent of about 500 co. This loss is
covered by an insurance of $500 90
in the Kansas Farmer Insurance Co..
of Abeline
The high rates of insurance pre-
vented the carrying of much insur-
ance, so that with but the one excep-
ton noted the parties had no policies.
The promptness and efficiency of
Rescue Hose is to be commended -
AS this was the first experience of the
company with a genuine fire. The
boys worked like veterans, and have
been gwen many words of praise for
their efforts.
During the progress Of the flames,
Messrs. Mccormick, Leffingwell and
Baker circulated a subscription paper
for the relief of Dr. Houck, who
seems to have more than his share of
bad luck, and in short time $685. 25
WAS raised and presented to him and
his estimable wife. In addition to
the money raised, several mechanics
have offered to help build home for
these unfortunates.
James Athey circulated paper for
the assistance of Mr. White, and the
liberal hearted people promptly rails
ed $50 % for HIM. Mr. White &C
cepted this donation very reluctantly,
saying that he was young man and
would soon get on his feet again.
DR.. Houck and Mr.. White express
themselves in hearty thanks to the
people who rallied SO promptly to
their assistance.
This city has been especially for
tunate in escaping loss by fire, and
this one will tend to make people
more careful especially those using
gasoline,