Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-08-03
Five Buildings go Up in Smoke, In
volving a Loss Of Nearly Ten
Thousand Dollars.
The Persistent and Determined r.
forts of the Citizens Save the
City from Destruction.

The fire originated in Slopes saloon on
the north side of Custer Avenue, be-
ween Sixth and Seventh streets, and at
the time of it's discovery had evidently
been N existence but brief period, as
but little headway bad been made. AS
stated bv eye witnesses, the fire upon
which, water seemed TO have little, If
any effect, suddenly burst forth with
greatly increased fury. as if the flame
had come in contact with some highly
iniaiDa5lc substance, when it spread
9TH almost incredible rapidity, and the
strong odor Of kerosene oil is said to
have been plainly noticeable. To this
purported fact is measurably due the
suspicion, which largely prevails, that
the fire was of incrndiary origin.
1t was but few moments after the
discovery OF the fire until the entire
building was enveloped in flames, max
ing it impossible to save any portion of
its contents. So rapid was the progress
of the devouring flames, that the con
tents Of the adjoining buildings were
almost totally destroyed, it being inn
possible to remove them in the brief
time intervening. The Shope building
contained bar and fixures, and three
billiard tables on the first floor, with
newspaper Office THE Leader on the
second floor, all of which were destroy
ed. The building and property destroy
ed, including the newspaper plant, was
owned by Shope, and WAS valued at
$500, upon which he was carrying in
surance to the amount Of 81 800.
The first story of the building adjoin.
ing Shope on the west, was owned hy
Messrs. Ward & Donaldson, grocers,
whose loss is estimated at 1920, with
no insurance. The second story of the
building was owned by the Grand Army
Post, Gen. Steele, No 94) which, with
its contents, valued at $500, was destroy
ed, upon which there was no insurance
A two story building occupied by II.
d. Reynolds and family upon first fioor,
and &. 5. Manahan and family upon
second floor, was also totally destroyed
with much Of its contents. Mr. Mana
han lost all of his household effects,
which, in addition to beds, bedding, fur
niture, clothing, jewelry, etc embraced
an elegant organ, a fine gold watch, and
a valuable library, the whole valued at
1900. He carried no insurance. The
household goods of Mr.. Reynolds were
nearly all saved, his loss being mainly
on the building, which is estimated at
81 600, upon which he was fortunately
carrying an insurance policy for $500.
Paul Kleemann estimates his less by
damage to his hotel building, from fire
and water, at 81 200. He unfortunately
allowed his insurance policy to lapse a
short time ago, and as a consequence
must sustain the entire loss. The hotel
being brick building, and there being
thirty foot alley between it and the
burning building of Ward & Donaldson.
it was made possible, by the faithful
and energetic efforts of the citizens, to
save it from further destruction.
The photograph gallery of L. w.
Marble, which adjoined the Reynolds
building, was also destroyed with por-
tion of its contents. Mr.. Marble es-
Inmates his loss at 1926. No insurance.
The CHRONICLE Office, which adjoined
the photograph gallery at the east end
Of the block, shared fate similar to the
four above mentioned. where the angry
flames prevailed until nothing but ashes
and blackened ruins marked the site
upon which they were erected. Willing
hands were busy, during the brief
period in which it was possible to put
forth an effort, in saving property per-
tanning to the office, but despite the
most active and persistent efforts Of the
citizens, two presses and other property
Of value was destroyed, the aggregate
value of which is estimated at
81 800, upon which there was no insur-
ance. A job press, paper cutter, and
nearly all of the type and parapharnalia
Of the Office were saved by the good
citizens to whom the grateful thanks OF
the CRRoNIcLE are due and freely ex-
tended
Mrs. NJ. l.. Sanders narrowly escaped
the loss of her house, located on the
south side of the street opposite the
CHRONICLE Office, which was only saved
BY the strongest effort. The damage
sustained by her is estimated at $25,
which is covered by insurance.
While the aggregate damage resulting
from this fire may have been exceeded
in former instances. there has been no
fire in Casters history which ragged so
furiously, and presented an aspect 90
serious and alarming. At no time has
the indications pointed so strongly to-
ward the total annihilation of the city
as they did on this occasion. With
practically no fire protection whatever,
1t will remain standing wonder that
our beautiful city was not utterly and
entirely destroyed.
The total loss of property will not fall
short of 10000. Take from this sum
81 ,525, the amount Of insurance, and
there yet remains loss of more than
$1,000. q sum large enough to have Sc
cured means of fire protection that
would have prevented all the heavy
losses resulting from this source in our
history. Is 1t not about time that Gus
ter was taking the innitial steps in the
direction of the prevention of the
further destruction Of property, which
10 plainly within the power Of the city.