Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-02-08
THE FIRE FIEND.
The Corner OF Michigan and
LaPOrte Streets Has Another
Disastrous C0nflagratiOn.
THE CORBsN BLOCK AND KUHN
BUILDING SUCCUMB TO THE
DESTROYING ELEMENT.
The Lack of Water Caused by Frozen
Hydrants, Gave the Fire Pull
Sweep.
Good Executions of the Fire Depart
ment and Our Citizens.

For the third time in the history Of
Plymouth, a destructive fire has Oc-
cured at the point of last Wednesday
mornings cOnllagratiOn. The first fire
was way back in the sixties, and at that
time frame building graced this corner
y brick building was then erected which
several years later, was destroyed. The
site was then occupied by the buildings
that were consumed this week. The
corner building was the property of
Horace c. Corbin, who after each dis
aster heroicly went to work, and rebuilt
more elaborately. The second building
belonged to John Kuhn, who conducted
a saloon, and the other by Fred Kuhn,
as a meat market.
1t was at $50 when the alarm of fire
was sounded, but owing to the high
wind at that time, but few of our citi-
Zens were aware of the destruction en-
suing on our principal thorOughfare.
the alarm, and were soon on the ground
to do battle. But the feelings of all can
be imagined when it was discovered
that the fire plugs were frozen up, and
after some time had elapsed the hydrant
near the water works across the river
was gotten into condition for service.
The fire was discovered by Mr. Due,
and located on the north side OF the
corner room occupied by Gus Wolf The
clother and c. N. Welch s Cos, jew
elry store. KS nearas can be ascertained,
the fire originated from lamp which
was setting on one of the show cases in
front of the safe OF Welch y Co. When
first discovered, the flames We're creep
ing up the north wall under large case
containing silver ware. If at the time
OF the discovery prompt measures could
have been taken, and waterf found handy.
but very little damage would have re
suited. And even then, after the alarm
had been given, if the department,
could have received immediate service.
the fire in all probabilities would have
been confined to this one room.
1t was soon made manifest by the
swiftly advancing flames, that to con
fine the fire to the four buildings was
the work for the fremen to undertake,
and that, owing to the extreme cold
weather was a difficult task The flames
after reaching the second floor, dashed
through the paper-like partitions to the
north, and then were only checked in
their mad career by the brick wall of
the Thayer building. The fire then took
a downward shoot, and in few mo-
ments the interior of KuhnS butcher
shop was mass of flames.
One of the peculiar features OF the
fire was, that the cigar store of John C..
Corbin and the saloon of John Kuhn,
did not succumb TO the fire until after
the clothing store and butcher shop.
1t is to be regretted that through the
neglect of some one the loss by fire is so
heavy. If the hydrants had been in
proper condition the fire would in all
probabilities been confined to the build
ing where the fire originated. 1t is re
ported that the ones who are depended
upon to attend to this important work,
knew that the hydrantS were frozen up,
and had all arrangements made TO thaw
them out the next day. The old maxim,
"Never put off until to morrow, what
should be done to-day" has been again
fully illustrated.
To adequately compliment our effici-
ent chief and the department for their
persistent work, would be difficult
task. The extreme cold weather, with
mercury swinging at and below zero
was factor to contend against that re-
quired nerve and firm resolution. Be
low we give list of the firms doing
business in the burnt block, and the
amount of their loss:
Horace Corbin, loss on building $8, 800,
insurance $500.
John G. Kuhn, loss on building and
stock $4,000, insurance $i,500.
Gus Wolf clothing house! loss $1,000
with 81, 900 insurance.
c. M. Welch & Co., jeweler, loss $4 900,
insurance $1,000.
Frank Nicolay, barber shop loss about
$50.
Chas. Kellison law office, loss $4,000,
insurance $500.