The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-11-03
SEVERE FIRE LOSS.
Frank q. viIIard's Handsome Potwin
Home Totally Destroyed.

Frank a.. Wil1ard's Handsome Potwtn
Home Totally Destroyed
The home of Frank G. willard, cash
Ter of the Merchants National bank, at
S14 Greenwood avenue, Potwin, was
totally destroyed by fire shortly before
midnight last night
The Topeka fire de partment responded
to the alarm although under no obliga-
tions to do so, and saved the residence
owned by Willis Gleed, which WAS next
door north Of the Willard residence. The
loss to Mr.. Willard will be. as estimated
by himself and Chief Wilmarth, So, 800
on the house and $4,000 on its contents,
total $500, with insurance amounting to
s., 500 to $4,000.
Mr.. WilIard's father who was visiting
him, was sleeping the first floor. with
the remainder Of the family up stairs.
Mr.. Willard heard a shout from his father
and rushing down stairs found the por-
there on IRE. 1t WAS hastily put out and
in doing so Mr.. Willard burned both
hands slightly. The fire was supposed
to be under control but in
few moments fire was discovered
burning fercely IN the space between
the two walls. Mr.. Willard took a Ratchet
and opened the floor directly over the
space and found the fire had gained
great Roadway in the walls and under
the floors. Knowing the house was
doomed Mr.. Willard directed his efforts
towards removing the furniture from
the first floor. Nearly everything down
stairs was saved, the last thing taken out
being q Harrison telephone. Everything
on the second story was lost
William B. Jansen, Of the Santa Fe
general managers office, occupies the
Gleed residence next door and was one
Of the first to arrive. lie sent in the fire
alarm. which brought out the chemical
engines from stations I and ,, and the
ladder company from station 3. Chief
Wilmarth found the Willard house past
saving and directed all efforts towards saw
ing the Gleed house. With no water at his
disposal and only the chemical engines
It was no easy task. The heat was so
intense that the framework of the Gleed
residence was badly scorched, and the
heat cracked all the windows exposed to
it The ladders on which the hremen
worked caught afire, and one stream was
kept playing on the firemen themselves
The GIeed residence was finally saved
1t is valued at $4,000.
The fire is supposed to have started
from a hue located near where il was
first discovered. In many respects the
fire resembled the P. q. Noel ire two
years ago. In such well constructed
houses where the walls are well sealed
d fire can shoulder for hours before IFS
presence is suspected The fire lit up
the entire west end of the city, and the
flames and smoke appeared to 60 almost
straight up for many hundred feet before
being caught Dy vino currents.
This fire should remind the people Of
Potwin that they need some fire protec-
ton. If that city can't keep a fire de-
partment of its own, it should make a
contract with the Topeka city council to
have the fire department respond to
alarms in it's district The people of To
peka pay we'll for their fire protection,
and the citizens of Potwin should not ex-
pect something for nothing Chief Will
marth was under no obligations to re-
spond to the alarm last night. but did so
simply as a matter of humanity. and in
SO doing saved at least $4,000 worth Of
property, and nobody knows how much
more.